Sad news for Durbanites ahead of the festive season as the city announces the closure of numerous beaches.
The news could dampen the mood of thousands of beachgoers who might be looking surf some waves as we approach the summer season.
On Monday the municipality announced that six beaches would be closed due to the high levels of E.Coli in beach water.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) explains that “Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals.”
Some symptoms include vomiting and cramps as well as bloody diarrhoea.
News publication IOL reports that tests done by non-profitable organization Adopt-A-River which were also later tested by Talbot – an independent laboratory – proved that E.Coli levels in the water were much higher than the normal safe zone.
“This is after several days of heavy rainfall in Durban, which washes pollution from rivers, streams, and storm water systems into the ocean. This has been linked to the latest ‘poor’ beach water quality results,” said the municipality.
“It is common to have poor water quality when heavy rains continue to batter the city. This results in pollution, including foreign objects washing from rivers and streams, as well as other water sources, into the ocean.”
Meanwhile the beaches affected include Point, uShaka, South, North, Battery and Country Club beaches.
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