Westbrook residents have won a years-long fight as sewage leaks stop and beaches reopen, thanks to urgent municipal intervention.

The eThekwini municipality has repaired the broken sewage pump at Westbrook Beach, installing two new motors at the start of the month. This unblocked the sewer lines, which had previously seen raw effluent overflowing from manholes and drains.

The repairs mark a small but significant victory for residents, who have endured years of sewage-related problems, raising serious health and hygiene concerns.

ALSO READ: Westbrook community group forms to fight sewage scourge

When the Courier revisited the area in June, raw sewage was still flowing into the streets and directly beneath the lifeguard tower, before entering the ocean. A foul stench hung over the area.
Westbrook Better Together co-founder Salome Botes welcomed the news, calling it a positive step forward.

“We never gave up. We kept pressuring and nagging the municipality. Phoning and emailing daily to get the problem sorted out,” said Botes.

With the system now repaired, residents and visitors can once again enjoy the beach safely. Botes said it was a hard-won success for community activism and municipal co-operation.

Formed earlier this year, the Westbrook Better Together group set out to address what it described as a long-standing health and environmental crisis.

The Farmhouse pump station on Spathodia Crescent had also suffered from years of neglect, theft and vandalism, turning nearby wetlands and gardens into a sewage swamp.

“We appreciate the municipality for helping sort out the issue. I am really happy, and the smell is gone,” she said.

Westbrook’s main beach, once a proud Blue Flag destination, has faced frequent closures in recent years due to elevated E. coli levels.

Ward 58 councillor Geoff Pullan emphasised the importance of the beach to the local economy and tourism.

“As the premier tourist city, we are delighted to have these facilities back in action. The beach is once again open, which reignites our tourism industry,” he said.

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