eThekwini metro slams chemical company for prematurely saying beaches are safe to reopen

eThekwini metro has hit back at chemical company United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) for “irresponsib[ly]” urging the City to reopen beaches before peer review findings have been considered.

The Mumbai-based agrochemical giant yesterday stated that the company was concerned over the continued delay by eThekwini municipality to open the beaches.

Beaches north of the Umgeni River mouth to Salt Rock were closed as a precaution to protect the public from any harmful effects of the chemicals spilled during the unrest in July.

“UPL is of the opinion that all necessary information has been supplied in order for authorities to determine that the beaches are safe to be reopened,” said Japhet Ncube, spokesperson for UPL South Africa, adding their concern over the negative affect on tourism establishments as well as other economic sectors such as the fishing industry.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Chemical contamination closes beaches north of Umgeni

City spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela reiterated that beaches remain closed until the national Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) have considered the peer review findings on the environmental and toxicological risks, and related quality of the sea water for human safety. 

“The City took the precaution as it was unsure of the types and quantity of chemicals that had entered into the sea.

“The chemicals that had spilled from the UPL warehouse in Cornubia were highly toxic and caused severe environmental impact in the oHlanga River and uMhlanga estuary.

“The review process has not been made any easier by UPL’s declaration last week of additional previously undisclosed product volumes, this after the submission of their final report recommending beaches to be reopened.”

ALSO READ: Beaches to remain closed despite independent findings, says eThekwini

The report in question presents the results of a chemical analysis of beaches and sea water at the beginning of September.

The report is said to have concluded that all beaches and ocean outside a 1km exclusion zone, north, south and east of the mouth pose an extremely low chemical risk to the public.

This was sent away to the United States for peer review earlier this month.

Mayisela said said the report was expected this week.

“Authorities will consider findings from the independent peer reviewer after which a decision will be made on whether the seawater is safe for use, and thereafter two municipalities will make the decision to review beach closures,” said Mayisela.

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