eThekwini Municipality has temporarily closed Bronze Beach and Umhlanga Main Beach as a precautionary measure following a pump-station failure — while separate water-quality data continues to show elevated bacterial levels at other coastal sites, creating public confusion ahead of the festive season. In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, the municipality said the closure was an urgent precaution after foreign objects lodged inside the Ohlange Wastewater Pump Station, obstructing the system. Remedial work is under way, including the declogging of pumps to remove inappropriate waste such as rags, animal carcasses and other household items not intended for sewer lines.
“Irresponsible disposal directly undermines sewer infrastructure, disrupts services, and negatively affects the environment resulting in the temporary closure of beaches enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” the municipality said. The city added that 21 beaches remain open and safe for swimming. The closures come amid ongoing concern about water-quality readings published on a municipal portal last week, with reports indicating that some Durban beaches recorded poor bacterial results.
The situation follows a report by The Citizen, which stated that at least 15 beaches recorded poor bacterial readings. The Witness carried that report on its website last week. However, eThekwini Municipality has disputed suggestions that 15 beaches are off-limits, saying that only two beaches have been closed, and all bathing beaches remain open based on current test results.
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The Citizen has since updated its report to clarify that not every beach listed is a designated swimming beach, and that some are used mainly for fishing or recreation. The publication said that shortly after its story was published, eThekwini’s public portal temporarily returned a “webpage blocked” error before being republished with revised figures.
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