Independent seawater testing conducted throughout the year has confirmed that North Coast beaches are safe, swimmable and ready for the holiday season.

According to The North Coast Courier, the Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP), in conjunction with B.N Kirk and local estates, conducts weekly E. coli tests from Ballito to Sheffield. Almost every test this year fell within the ‘ideal’ range. Only one test, taken in September, extended into the ‘acceptable’ range, which is still considered safe for swimmers.

The final two tests of the year, conducted on December 9 and 17, confirmed clean water for tourists visiting the coast. These results are a testament to ongoing infrastructure maintenance and repairs by Siza Water and the KwaDukuza Municipality.

Beaches and tidal pools tested

Beaches included in the testing programme, from south to north, are Salmon Bay, Clarke Bay, Willard Beach (Blue Flag), Thompson’s Bay (Blue Flag), Chaka’s Rock Beach, Salt Rock Main Beach (Blue Flag), Tiffany’s Beach and Sheffield Beach.

Testing is also conducted at four tidal pools: Hawkins (between Salmon and Clarke bays), Thompson’s Bay, Chaka’s Rock and Salt Rock.

eThekwini water quality

Water quality in the neighbouring eThekwini Municipality has been more inconsistent. The DA and ActionSA won a court case against the municipality last week, compelling it to address sewerage system non-compliance, implement an action plan with reasonable deadlines and publish weekly testing results.

According to the municipality’s most recent official results, covering December 8 to 17, 12 beaches were rated ‘ideal’, seven ‘acceptable’ and four ‘poor’. eThekwini has since confirmed that three of the four beaches previously closed due to poor results have reopened.

Westbrook and Umdloti Main Beach recorded results in the ideal range.

For more detailed water quality results, visit the Ballito UIP Facebook page or the ‘beach status’ page at durban.gov.za.

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