uMdloti Beach and uMhlanga’s Bronze Beach remain closed despite improved water quality, says City
The City says the water quality at some beaches has improved.
DESPITE recent tests by an independent water treatment company showing an improvement in the water quality at uMdloti Beach and uMhlanga’s Bronze Beach, the beaches will remain closed for the time being.
The announcement was made by the eThekwini Municipality on Monday evening with the goal to reopen all beaches plagued by high levels of E. coli on Thursday, December 1.
Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the City is constantly monitoring water quality at all beaches to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
“Water quality at uMdloti, Laguna and Bronze beaches is at an acceptable standard, but these beaches will remain closed as per directive from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.”
Related article: Concern as prolonged beach closures impact hospitality industry in uMhlanga
“The public will be informed in due course about the re-opening of additional beaches and of [some] pools, which are currently undergoing maintenance,” he said.
Mayisela added that Addington, Brighton, Reunion, South, Westbrook, uMhlanga Main and Thekwini beaches are closed until further notice.
Last week, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda conducted an oversight visit of the Ohlange pump station at Blackburn and said the City had made ‘great strides’ in repairing the pumps.
“The repair teams have worked tirelessly to ensure the pump station was back online in time for the festive season. The commissioning of the pump station also means that the water quality at uMhlanga Beach will continue to improve,” he said.
However, Ward 35 councillor Nicole Bollman has challenged Kaunda to go swimming at uMhlanga Main Beach on Friday, December 2 at noon.
Also Read: Tourism needs uMhlanga sewage crisis solved says councillor
“Oversight visits to various ‘hotspots’ along the Ohlange River proved, once again, that there was a consistent flow of raw sewage into the river as has been the case since post the April floods. This flow is completely bypassing the newly commissioned pump station a mere 250m upriver due to alleged blockages in the system, resulting in zero flow into the pump station.
“Although we fully support the tourism industry who have been hard hit by the various ‘on again, off again’ approaches by the City, our concern is that failure to consider the resolution and repair of the sewer reticulation system in its entirety, from source to the wastewater treatment plant in Phoenix, will result in an ecological and health catastrophe to the unassuming bather coming to our shores for the festive season, placing both them and our professional lifeguards at risk,” Bollman said.
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