SWIMMING and bathing at Cuttings Beach in Merebank is prohibited following recent water test results that showed high levels of E. coli. This is according to the ward 68 Councillor, Aubrey Snyman, after the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) issued the test results.

Also read: JUST IN: Body spotted floating on water at Cuttings Beach

The public is now warned to refrain from bathing, swimming and preforming traditional rituals at Cuttings Beach as raw sewage has been detected.

Waste runoff floods Travancore Drive and contaminates storm water drains that lead directly to Cuttings Beach.

Water test results show high levels of E. coli

Air Quality and Health officer for SDCEA, Bongani Mthembu undertook water sampling for testing at Cuttings Beach (Merebank) and sent the samples to a reputable laboratory based in Pietermaritzburg.

“The residents of Merebank and surrounding areas, including Wentworth and Isipingo, have endured an ongoing, worsening stench from the Southern Wastewater Treatment Works (SWWTW). This stench, compounded by periodic sewage overflows, has plagued the community for years, prompting numerous complaints which, despite years of appeals to the authorities, have yet to be solved.

“Community members, especially subsistence fishermen and beachgoers, are affected by the contamination of the beach and nearby waters, which harms marine life and limits safe access to natural resources,” said Mthembu.

He said the discharge of untreated wastewater had devastating consequences for marine ecosystems.

Also read: Ansteys Beach closes amid E. coli crisis

“The contamination at Cuttings Beach harms marine habitats and affects the fish populations that local subsistence fishermen rely on for their livelihoods. Community members report that untreated sewage, flowing from the SWWTW canals onto the beach, disrupts traditional fishing practices and poses health risks to those who come into contact with the water,” Mthembu added.

Mthembu said the ongoing issue raised significant legal and ethical concerns

“According to Section 24(a) of the South African Constitution, every citizen has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being. The failure of the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Department to take responsibility has diminished trust in the institution and reinforced a perception that the local government is unresponsive to the health and environmental concerns of its citizens.”

He said the ongoing pollution from the SWWTW is a stark reminder of the need for effective, accountable public services.

“We are urging the Water and Sanitation Department to uphold its duty to protect the environment and public health, fulfill its obligations and restore trust among the communities it serves,” he added.

Ward 68 councillor urges the public to stop swimming at Cuttings Beach

Ward 68 councillor, Aubrey Snyman, said swimming and bathing at Cuttings Beach was prohibited for everybody.

Also read: Blue Flag beaches and shark nets don’t go together

“Whoever swims or bathes at Cuttings Beach is doing so at their own risk. My advice to these illegal bathers is to please not swim in this area as your life is very important.

“Those traditional healers bathing at the beach are aware of the consequences and law-enforcement has a responsibility to enforce the law. If they are relaxed and not doing their jobs then they need to be reported to senior management so that the relevant steps can be taken against them.

He said eThekwini Municipality and Umngeni Water had assigned a team to work on the sewer stench at the SWWTP.

“The team is sorting out the flow in Tranvancore Drive temporarily, by using pumps to prevent the sewage from flowing onto to the road. This exacerbated the stench, especially when vehicles drove over the sewage. The teams are working on the damaged tank in the SWWTP and repairs to the tank will be completed before the expiry of the five-month contract that has been assigned to this job,” Snyman added. He wished the citizens and beach-goers a safe, healthy and happy holiday by sticking to safe beaches..

eThekwini Municipality issued a statement last week, and assured residents that swimming is safe in the following southern beaches:

· Brighton Beach

· Toti Main

· Umgababa

· Warner Beach

· Winklespruit

· Pipeline

Operating hours from 6am to 18:30.

The following two beaches remain closed:

· Ansteys Beach

· Reunion

Swimming pools open to the public:

· Ansteys Paddling

· Merewent Swimming Pool

· Lamontville

· Umgababa

· Pipeline Paddling

The operating hours for weekends: 6am to 18:00, and on Sundays and holidays 9am to 17:00.

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.