Ahead of eThekwini’s bumper holiday season and an influx of tourists, the municipality has confirmed that 13 beaches remain open for bathing as the City prepares to welcome visitors, Berea Mail reported earlier this week.

Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said that 10 beaches are temporarily closed due to poor water quality.

She said investigations to trace the source of pollution are currently underway.

Some of the beaches currently open to the public include:

• uShaka Beach
• uMhlanga Main Beach
• Winkelspruit Beach
• Toti Main Beach
• Pipeline Beach
• Point Beach
• uMdloti Beach

“There are also over 30 pools open in various parts of the City for the public to enjoy,” added Sisilana.

Meanwhile, the eThekwini mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, has called for the weekly assessment of beach water quality to ensure that residents and visitors are kept abreast of the results during the festive season.

“As we move into the festive season, we should be testing the beach water quality more often to ensure that our beaches are safe for visitors to enjoy. We have had challenges in the past, but the City has made significant efforts to ensure that our beaches are in pristine condition,” Xaba said.

“We are hoping for a bumper festive season this December. Visitors must be assured that aside from beaches, there are many other attractions throughout the City.”

Beaches that are temporarily closed to the public are:

• Anstey’s Beach
• Reunion Beach
• Laguna Beach
• Country Club
• Battery Beach
• Bay of Plenty
• North Beach
• South Beach
• Wedge Beach
• Thekwini Beach

For regular updates of beach water quality results, visit www.durban.gov.za.