Key Takeaways
- At least 15 Durban beaches have recorded poor bacterial levels, with some exceeding safe limits by massive margins.
- The affected beaches include Westbrook, Casuarina, La Mercy, Umdloti, Umhlanga Rocks, Beachwood, Umlaas, and Umkomaas.
- The city measures water quality every two weeks and classifies results according to international beach-safety guidelines.
- E. coli and Enterococcus levels far above international standards have raised red flags about faecal contamination during the peak tourism season.
- The poor water quality is a concern for the thousands of holidaymakers preparing to descend on KwaZulu-Natal’s coastline.
Introduction to Water Quality Measurements
The city measures water quality every two weeks and classifies results according to international beach-safety guidelines. This is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of beachgoers, especially during peak tourism season. The latest figures, released by eThekwini Municipality from tests conducted between 12 and 26 November, show E. coli and Enterococcus levels far above international standards, raising red flags about faecal contamination. According to these standards, counts below 130 cfu/100ml are ideal, 130–500 acceptable, and anything above 500 is considered poor, signalling possible contamination from “humans and other warm-blooded animals”.
North Coast Beaches Dominating the List of Affected Beaches
Most beaches flagged as unsafe are on the North Coast, starting with Westbrook, where E. coli levels reached 909 cfu/100ml and Enterococcus 1 725 cfu/100ml on 25 November. The report card rates both results as “poor”. Further north, Casuarina (Tongaat) recorded even worse readings, 2 187 E. coli and 1 430 Enterococcus, also classified as “poor”. La Mercy is among the worst affected: both tests recorded an alarming 24 196 cfu/100ml, far exceeding acceptable limits. Despite this, the beach’s litter rating is marked as “clean”. This raises concerns about the impact of human activities on the environment and the need for better waste management practices.
Popular Holiday Spots Affected by Poor Water Quality
Popular holiday spots in Umhlanga were rated “poor”, also taking a knock. Umhlanga Rocks Bronze: E. coli 1 374, Enterococcus 738. Umhlanga Rocks Main: E. coli 2 178, Enterococcus 691. Granny’s Pool: E. coli 1 904, Enterococcus 538. Umhlanga Lighthouse: E. coli 3 784, Enterococcus 763. These results are a concern for the thousands of holidaymakers preparing to descend on KwaZulu-Natal’s coastline. The poor water quality is not only a health risk but also a potential deterrent for tourists, which could have a negative impact on the local economy.
Severe Contamination at Beachwood and Umlaas
Beachwood, in particular, returned E. coli levels of 4 611 cfu/100ml and an Enterococcus count of 1 860, both labelled “poor”. Its litter index of 10 rated it “moderately clean”. Further south, Umlaas again showed extreme E. coli levels of 24 196 cfu/100ml on 13 November, though Enterococcus was “ideal” at 121 two days earlier. The beach, however, received a “dirty” rating on its litter index. At Umkomaas, readings from 26 November show 573 E. coli and 1 081 Enterococcus, both categorised as “poor”, although the beach itself is noted as “very clean”. These results highlight the need for urgent attention to address the issue of poor water quality and to prevent further contamination.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The latest water quality test results from eThekwini Municipality are a cause for concern, especially with the peak tourism season approaching. The poor water quality is a health risk and a potential deterrent for tourists, which could have a negative impact on the local economy. It is essential to address the issue of poor water quality and to prevent further contamination. This can be achieved through better waste management practices, improved infrastructure, and increased awareness about the importance of protecting the environment. The city must take urgent action to address the issue and ensure that the beaches are safe for visitors. Additionally, the public must be informed about the water quality and the potential health risks associated with it, to make informed decisions about their beach activities.
