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

Since the festive season kicked off, eThekwini has gone into overdrive promoting the city’s beaches as safe, based on results of its in-house water testing and testing done by Talbort, a private laboratory. In a joint statement 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.

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“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,” it said.

This week, Pipeline and Doonside beaches were closed for swimming because of high E.coli readings. Last week, Amanzimtoti Main and Warner Beach beaches had been 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 in. 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,” it said.

Ward 97 councillor André Beetge said 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 subjected to the very same variables,” said Beetge.

On December 13, however, 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 in.

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