Negative publicity surrounding Durban’s beaches is creating significant challenges for the tourism industry throughout KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), including areas where beaches remain unaffected.
On July 3, the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at Durban University of Technology conducted water quality tests at several popular Durban beaches.
Contrary to data from the local municipality, the IWWT report revealed that 11 out of the 14 beaches tested had critical levels of E. coli and recommended avoiding these beaches for recreational purposes.
E. coli levels are measured per 100 ml of water: 0-130 indicates ideal water quality, below 200 is acceptable, above 200 is poor, and above 400 is critical, meaning the beaches should not be used for recreational activities.
The IWWT researchers found critical E. coli levels at Umdloti Beach, Glenashley Beach, Virginia Beach, Umgeni River, Umgeni River Mouth, Laguna Beach, Country Club Beach, Bay of Plenty, Addington Beach, and Ushaka Beach, all exceeding 400.
At the time, Gugu Sisilana, spokesperson for the eThekwini municipality, stated that Virginia Beach, Umgeni River, and Umgeni River Mouth were already designated non-swimming beaches due to water quality issues, and Westbrook Beach had also been closed for similar reasons.
However, municipal water tests on July 26 reported E. coli levels below 200 for all these beaches, in sharp contrast to the July 3 IWWT study, which recorded levels as high as 4,352 at Addington Beach.
Today, Sisilana confirmed significant improvements: "We can confirm that a whopping 20 bathing beaches are compliant and safe for swimming in Durban. Addington Beach is also compliant and safe for swimming with the last recorded extremely low E. coli reading ranging from 10 to 63."
The problem predominantly affects central and northern Durban beaches.
Tourism is affected by negative publicity
The negative publicity about the health risks of swimming in Durban's ocean has been "devastating" for tourism businesses, according to a report from SABC News dating back to 2022. Accommodation providers have noted that pollution at some beaches is causing financial losses, as tourists are scared away by the negative news.
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