Earlier this week, the eThekwini Municipality in KZN closed six beaches with elevated E. coli levels.

The beaches were closed by the municipality as a precautionary measure after the latest results from a joint sampling of beach water quality, taken on December 7, showed that there were alarming levels of E. coli at six beaches and three rivers.

Talbort, the company that tests eThekwini Municipality beaches for E. coli, has distanced itself from more recent statements made by the city that the beaches are safe to swim at.

Yesterday, the municipality posted on X (formerly Twitter) that following more recent testing on Tuesday, the results ‘show excellent and acceptable water quality that is compliant with acceptable standards ahead of the bumper festive season long weekend’.

show “excellent” and “acceptable” water quality that is compliant with acceptable standards ahead of the bumper festive season long weekend.

— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) December 14, 2023

Here are the latest results from the joint sampling of the beach water quality tests that eThekwini Municipality conducted with Talbot on behalf of Adopt-A- River.

The joint sampling was done on 12 December 2023 at selected popular bathing beaches in the City.

These results pic.twitter.com/gOEl1WFcLL

— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) December 14, 2023

Since the festive season kicked off, eThekwini has been promoting the city’s beaches as safe, based on results of its in-house water testing and testing done by Talbort.

In a joint statement issued by Talbort and Adopt-A-River, both organisations said they have been closely monitoring the recent developments regarding the partial takeover of poor-performing sewage plants in Durban. They appreciate the steps taken by eThekwini in addressing the wastewater issue.

While we acknowledge the positive strides in managing the sewage plants and inflow of E. coli, we would like to emphasise that we cannot make a blanket statement asserting the safety of beaches for swimming purposes. It is essential to consider various factors, rainfall patterns, currents, tides, load-shedding schedules and proximity of beaches to river mouth and outfalls, the statement read.

This week, Pipeline and Doonside beaches were closed for swimming because of high E. coli readings. Last week, Amanzimtoti Main and Warner Beach beaches were closed because of high E. coli readings. Winklespruit Beach has had the highest E. coli readings for months but has recently been declared safe to swim.

Talbort and Adopt-A-River said they remain committed to supporting the ongoing efforts to improve water quality.

“We believe in providing accurate information and promoting responsible behaviour. We urge the public to stay informed by asking for current results and being cautious after heavy rainfall,” the statement read.

Ward 97 councillor André Beetge says because of several implicating variables, such as currents, wind, rainfall, tides, and damaged or repaired infrastructure causing wastewater outfall, beach water quality can change within hours.

“The other problem is that results are not immediately available but instead require an incubation period resulting in decisions being made on areas, yet subject to the very same variables,” he adds.

On Wednesday, the municipality doubled down on its earlier proclamation that its beaches that have been found to have low E. coli readings are safe to swim at.

North Coast beach also closed

Yesterday, the North Coast Courier reported that Thompson’s Bay beach was closed due to a suspected sewage leak.

The beach will be reopened once bather safety has been confirmed.

Bathers at the popular Ballito beach were instructed to evacuate the water.

Bongani Xulu, the lifeguard superintendent for KwaDukuza, says Siza Water is investigating.

“I can confirm the beach closure, but we are awaiting official confirmation from Siza Water to determine whether the water was indeed contaminated by sewage,” says Xulu.

In June this year, a burst sewage pipe along Simbithi Drive led to the closure of the beach, as sewage spilt into the sea.

The water along Ballito’s coastline is closely monitored by the Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct and has tested clean and ideal for swimming for at least the past six months.

Water sampling is run independently through B.N Kirk. The most recent sample was done on December 5.