Umhlanga Main Beach and Bronze Beach reopened after pump station work and water quality tests
Umhlanga Main Beach has been reopened, the eThekwini Municipality has confirned.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
The eThekwini Municipality has confirmed the reopening of two uMhlanga beaches after they were temporarily closed due to a pump station failure.
Bronze Beach and Umhlanga Main Beach were closed earlier this week after laboratory tests indicated elevated levels of E. coli in the water. This came after pump station failure at the Ohlange Wastewater Pump Station, due to abuse of sewer infrastructure.
The municipality said rags and other items had been disposed of in the sewer infrastructure leading to the failure of the pump station.
The municipality also issued a renewed plea for residents to stop dumping rubbish into the sewer network.
Water quality test results shared by the eThekwini Municipality on Friday.
Image: eThekwini Municipality
“eThekwini Municipality’s Sanitation team acted swiftly to contain the spillage within a few hours. Resampling was conducted and the latest laboratory results confirm that water quality is now within acceptable specifications. Both beaches (Bronze Beach and Umhlanga Main Beach) have been re-opened.”
It added that this outcome reaffirms that the contamination was promptly contained, thereby minimising the impact on the receiving environment.
“The Municipality remains committed to safeguarding public health and ensuring transparent communication with residents and visitors.”
Beach water quality results can be obtained on the municipality’s website www.durban.gov.za