Good news for beachgoers: Some eThekwini Municipality beaches have reopened to the public, after being shut down in August.
The eThekwini Municipality has opened some of its beaches following extensive water testing.
Beaches under the metro municipality were closed with immediate effect on Monday, 22 August, due to high levels of E-coli in the water. Water activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, bathing, canoeing, and other activities were also not allowed.
BEACHES THAT ARE NOW OPEN IN ETHEKWINI
Beaches that are now open include:
- Bay Beach
- North Beach
- Wedge Beach
- South Beach
- Addington Beach
- uShaka Beach
- Point Beach (Vetchies)
- Brighton Beach
- Amanzimtoti Main Beach
- Pipeline Beach
- Warner Beach
- Winklespruit Beach
- Umgababa Beach
The eThekwini Municipality said testing has confirmed that the water quality at the above mentioned beaches is now at an acceptable standard.
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Beaches that remain closed include:
- eThekwini Beach
- Laguna Seasonal Beach
- Ansteys Beach
- Reunion Beach
- Baggies Beach
All water activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, bathing, and canoeing remain prohibited at the above mentioned beaches.
“Beachgoers are urged to avoid water-related activities at beaches that are closed. The public will be notified when the closed beaches are reopened and safe for public use.”
eThekwini Municipality
MUNICIPALITY MAY FACE MORE CHARGES OVER POLLUTION
Meanwhile, parliamentary questions by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province have revealed that eThekwini Municipality may face more criminal charges as raw sewage continues to ravage rivers across the city.
Laid several months ago, the case against eThekwini Municipality in terms of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act of 2008 initially dealt with ongoing pollution of the Durban Harbour.
New information has however revealed that the city failed to comply with the instructions of the initial contravention notice and may now have further criminal charges thrown at it, according to the party.
“Adding to the disaster is evidence of dye substances also being discharged into the now broken sewerage system, further contaminating the water and riverbanks. This ongoing spill must be added to the active docket and the DA welcomes the involvement of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the investigation.”
DA KZN
By: Nokwanda Ncwane
