THE eThekwini Municipality has confirmed that the ban on recreational and fishing activities from the Umngeni Estuary to the Blue Lagoon non-bathing beach remains in place.

The City made the announcement on January 9 due to environmental concerns pertaining to illegal waste disposal near the Umngeni Estuary and sewage discharge.

In the past two years, water quality tests along various sections of the uMngeni River have revealed just how polluted the river is with elevated levels of E.coli (sewage bacteria).

The decision to ban fishing in the area was also in accordance with a Coastal Compliance Notice issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Also read: Sewage effluent forces fishing ban at Blue Lagoon

Since then the City has undertaken several projects to address sewage discharge.

In response to the ban, City spokesperson Gugu Sisilana outlined some of the actions undertaken to combat effluent from entering the river.

“The cleaning of the sewer trunk mainline (from the corner of Krishna and North Coast Road and terminates at the corner of Stanhope Place and Rosebelle Lane) began on January 10 and has (to date) yielded the removal of +- 30 cubic metres of silt, debris and detritus (gravel, tar, cardboard, plastic, sand, and several foreign objects). The methods undertaken to clean the sewer trunk mainline are: winching, high pressure-jetting, spade and bucket, and a super honey-sucker. The project was estimated to take 30 days before the approximately 750m sewer line is functional. The Johanna Road Pumpstation was converted from manual operation to automated operation (this action was completed last week). Automation will allow the pumps to be active once the sump reaches a certain level,” she said.

“The Cleansing and Solid Waste Department has also had extensive clean-up operations on the site which is an open land that is prone to illegal dumping and other social ills. To deter illegal dumping near the Umngeni Estuary ‘No Dumping’ signage was installed to warn the public that illegal dumpers will be prosecuted. The roads department has also been engaged to erect concrete barriers/bollards at the entrance to prevent easy access. The beach is patrolled by law enforcement departments to prevent fishing in the area. There is signage that had to be procured, and it has been installed.”

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