eThekwini Municipality bans recreational activities due to sewage discharge
The eThekwini Municipality has prohibited recreational activities, including fishing from the Umgeni Estuary to the Blue Lagoon non-bathing beach, due to a sewage effluent discharge.
Gugu Sisilana, the city’s spokesperson, said an investigation to trace the source of the discharge along the Umgeni Estuary was being conducted.
She said the prohibition was in accordance with the Coastal Compliance Notice issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
“Once the investigation is complete, the city will undertake repairs to any damaged infrastructure that may have resulted in the discharge of untreated effluent into the Umgeni Estuary."
Sisilana said the key contributing factors to pollution and E.coli, particularly affecting estuaries and beaches, were infrastructure failure.
She said this was due to “relentless” theft and vandalism of the city's sewer infrastructure, as well as illegal connections into the sewer system.
“The city is making every effort to attend to all infrastructural defects that may pose a risk to the environment and urges the public to report vandalism and the theft of infrastructure to police, so that the perpetrators are apprehended.
“Fishermen are urged to adhere to the fishing restriction at the Umgeni Estuary and Blue Lagoon until further notice, while the investigation is underway."
Meanwhile, the uMhlanga Main Beach and Bronze Beach reopened today (January 9).
The city had temporarily closed both beaches, while investigations were underway following reports of unidentified “ball” shaped solid matter mixed with beach sand.
Sisilana said laboratory results released by scientists from the Scientific Services of samples taken found that the solid particles were fats, likely originating from food establishments.
“The closure of the beaches was a precautionary measure, while investigations from the Scientific Services team were pending. After initial complaints about potential sewage pollution at these two beaches were received, an immediate investigation by the Pollution and Environment Department was carried out.
“Beach water samples and the ‘ball’ shaped solid matter were collected for laboratory analysis. While the findings indicate very low faecal contamination in water samples taken at both the uMhlanga Main Beach and Bronze Beach, the source of the solid ‘ball’ matter is being profiled to confirm its origin. Beach clean-up operations will commence to remove the ‘ball’ shaped solid matter now that investigations have been carried out."
Following videos circulating on social media of the findings on the beaches, Sisilana said the city cautioned against the spread of unverified information and urged the public and media to refrain from speculative reporting.
“The city remains committed to transparency regarding beach water quality and will continue to provide updates. The public is also urged to note that 21 beaches are open and safe for swimming in the city."
Sisilana added that two beaches, Anstey’s Beach and Country Club Beach, remained closed due to ongoing maintenance at the Wastewater Treatment Works.