Beach blues continue

THERE is no need to travel all the way to the Trevi Fountains in Rome to make a wish.

“Just come to Marina Beach, make your wish and drop your loose change into the Hibiscus Council coffers,” said a Marina Beach resident

He was referring to the spectacular fountain, which he photographed, that was caused by a fractured pipe feeding the showers at this Blue Flag beach. The resident said the broken pipe had been reported but that the fountain still continued to spew out litre upon litre of fresh, clean water. Hibiscus Coast Municipality has not responded to the Herald’s request for comment.

The municipality has also failed to answer a request for a progress report on the refurbishing of the St Michael’s toilet block, a project that seems to have stalled, although it was started more than a year ago. There is still no information available from the municipality about whether contractual problems had been sorted out at beaches between Southbroom and Port Edward.

Another problem has cropped up at St Michael’s where a reader was horrified to see what looked like a sewage leak in the middle of the grassy area. The mess was also flowing down the path to the beach, she said. Her email was forwarded to Hibiscus Coast Municipality and Ugu District Municipality.

“Although this is a Hibiscus Coast Municipality problem, an Ugu team will be sent to investigate and to see how it can assist,” said Ugu District Municipality spokesman Sphelele Cele. Hibiscus Coast Municipality has not commented on this issue either.