THE festive season is in full swing and Durban’s beaches are the major talking point this December as the eThekwini Municipality races against time to solve the sewage crisis.
Several beaches across the eThekwini coastline have been affected by high E coli levels following the floods earlier this year, which resulted in the loss of more than 440 lives and caused billions of rands worth of damage to infrastructure, including to the sewerage network across Durban.
City Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda says the municipality had to fast-track repairs to the flood-damaged sewerage infrastructure, which forced the closure of several beaches on Durban’s south and north coasts.
Related article: uMhlanga beaches closed yet again due to E. coli levels
However, last week, water quality tests by the eThekwini Municipality and independent water treatment company Talbot revealed that some beaches were safe for reopening and for beachgoers to swim, while 12 are closed due to high E. coli levels.
According to municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela says the City is constantly monitoring water quality at all beaches to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
Open beaches and safe for swimming
According to the eThekwini Municipality (as per December 8), Point, uShaka, Addington, South, Wedge, North, Bay of Plenty and Anstey’s beaches along Durban’s Golden Mile are open.
On the KZN south coast, Toti Main and Pipeline beaches are open.
Closed beaches where swimming is prohibited
On the KZN north coast, uMhlanga Main and Bronze Beach as well as uMdloti Beach and Westbrook Beach are closed.
On the KZN south coast, Brighton Beach (Bluff), Reunion Beach, Warner Beach and Winklespruit Beach are closed.
In Durban central, Battery, Country Club, Thekwini and Laguna are closed.
“In addition to the beaches, 25 swimming pools are open in Durban to enable residents and visitors to enjoy the warm weather,” Mayisela says.
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