Durban – The eThekwini Municipality said while water quality at central beaches has improved, several south region beaches have been closed due to poor water quality.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said in a statement on Wednesday that the latest round of water testing for beaches has shown improvement for some of the beaches, but a deterioration for others.
However, Mayisela said though water quality in central beaches has significantly improved, they remain closed pending further monitoring.
“In the southern region, water quality is poor with the result that some south beaches will be closed with immediate effect,” he said.
The following beaches will be closed: Isipingo, Amanzimtoti Main, Warner, Garvies and Winklespruit beaches.
It joins other beaches that were closed on September 16 including Brighton, Ansteys, Point, Ushaka, Addington, South, Wedge, North, Bay of Plenty, Battery, Country Club Thekwini, Laguna, Baggies and Reunion beaches.
The city said all water activities at these beaches are banned for health reasons.
Beaches that remain open include Umgababa, Umkomaas, Brighton, and Treasure Beach, said the municipality.
“The municipality will continue to test water quality at beaches on a regular basis. The public will be notified when it is safe to visit affected beaches,” said Mayisela.
The Mercury reported that a large number of beachgoers were swimming at the Golden Mile (New Beach) on Monday despite the city stating that beaches along the Durban beachfront were closed due to poor water quality..
The Mercury spoke to people who were swimming at the beach.
A man who is visiting Durban from Joburg, said he came to the beach to swim with his family because he was on holiday.
“I didn’t know anything about the beach closure. I’m on holiday with my family and wanted to go to the beach. We didn’t know anything about the water being contaminated and beaches being closed. I will be going back to Joburg soon.”
Another man admitted that he knew about the closure of the beaches but said he still decided to swim due to yesterday’s hot weather.
The city announced on Tuesday that it would be fast-tracking the replacement and repair of flood-damaged infrastructure and will optimise maintenance of existing infrastructure that is causing pollution in the environment, rivers and oceans.