Durban beaches: Here’s why they’re shut down for now…

The eThekwini Municipality in Durban has shut down some of its beaches and beach-related activities with immediate effect. But why?

The eThekwini Municipality has prohibited some activities after closing some of its beaches with immediate effect on Monday, 22 August, due to high levels of E-coli in the water.

This decision is a consequence of recent water testing results which confirmed high levels of E-coli, reportedly. 

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DURBAN BEACHES CLOSED

The eThekwini Municipality said all water activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, bathing, canoeing, and other activities taking place at City beaches are prohibited. 

The municipality urged beachgoers to heed this warning as disregarding it could result in outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

Here are the affected beaches: 

• Westbrook,
• uMhlanga Main,
• uMdloti,
• Casuarina,
• eThekwini Beach,
• Laguna Seasonal Beach,
• Ansteys Beach,
• Brighton Beach,
• Isipingo Beach,
• Reunion Beach,
• Warner Beach,
• Amanzimtoti Main Beach, and
• Pipeline Beach

“Residents can still enjoy other activities along the beach that do not require them to come into contact with sea water. Lifeguards and law enforcement officers will be on site to monitor the beaches to ensure the public adheres to the closures.”

eThekwini Municipality

The Municipality said the public will be notified when the beaches are deemed safe to utilise.

CITY TO INVESTIGATE CONTAMINATION OF UMGENI RIVER

Earlier on Monday, the eThekwini Municipality said it is aware of dead marine life in the lower Umgeni River. It also cautioned the public against collecting and consuming the fish as it is not fit for human consumption.

“The city is making arrangements for removing the fish and to mitigate any impact on the environment.”

These incidents come as a number of residents have complained that they are sick due to drinking contaminated water as the Municipality has flip flopped on the safety of tap water in Birchwood Park near Pinetown and other areas.

By: Nokwanda Ncwane