Waterborne pollution at some of Durbans most popular beaches continues to pose a health risk for beach users.
Negative publicity about the beaches is a big headache for the tourism industry of the entire coastal region of KZN, even those where beaches are unaffected, and the situation seems destined to continue until national and local government respond with an effective water services repairs and maintenance plan.
On July 3, the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at the Durban University of Technology conducted water quality tests at Durbans popular beaches. In contradiction with data from the local municipality, the IWWTs report found that 11 of the 14 beaches tested showed critical levels of E. coli and recommended these beaches should not be used for recreational purposes,
The E. coli count is measured per 100 ml; 0 -130 means ideal water quality, below 200 means acceptable water quality, any count above 200 is considered poor quality and any count above 400 is considered critical, and those beaches should not be used for recreational purposes.
The IWWT researchers found that the water quality of Umdloti Beach, Glenashley Beach, Virginia Beach, Umgeni River, Umgeni River Mouth, Laguna Beach, Country Club Beach, Bay of Plenty, Addington Beach and Ushaka beach were at critical levels, ie above 400.
