Umhlanga beach closure: EThekwini Municipality blames residents
One week into the school holidays, some Durban beaches still remain closed due to contamination in the water from raw sewage. EThekwini Municipality has put the blame on its residents and cautioned against the disposal of objects into the sewer system. DURBAN BEACHES CLOSED AT THE START OF PEAK HOLIDAY SEASON ALSO READ: Durban beaches CLOSED: […]
One week into the school holidays, some Durban beaches still remain closed due to contamination in the water from raw sewage. EThekwini Municipality has put the blame on its residents and cautioned against the disposal of objects into the sewer system.
DURBAN BEACHES CLOSED AT THE START OF PEAK HOLIDAY SEASON
ALSO READ: Durban beaches CLOSED: E.coli effects to spoil fun for bathers
Residents and businesses are cautioned against disposing of alien objects into our sewage system. These objects affect the operation of the sanitation infrastructure and leads to sewer overflows.
Most recently, a build up from alien materials inserted into our sewage system was pic.twitter.com/eTHNusBfVr— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) June 27, 2023
A post in their social media pages the municipality says, “These objects affect the operation of the sanitation infrastructure and leads to sewer overflows. Most recently, a build up from alien materials inserted into our sewage system was found clogging up the pump at the Portland Pumpstation, leading to the closure of Umhlanga Beach.”
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ACTIONSA CONCERED OVER KNOCK ON TOURISM
ActionSA has expressed its concern over the impact, the closure of all Umhlanga beaches will have on the tourism in the city.
According to the party, tourism was down 22% during the restive season and expects similar numbers during the three week long school holidays.
ActionSA councillors Alan Beesley says the raw sewage spilling into the beach is not the only problem.
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“Besides the sewage causing the beach closure, the smell of sewage on several parts of the Umhlanfa Promenade us unbearable” says Beesley.
“Umhlanga is meant to be a prime tourist destination not only for EThekwini but for the entire province. Sadly, the experience of those tourists who visit Umhlanga are far from encouraging” Beesley adds.