Beach woes as Durban welcomes tourists

Despite four beaches closed due to water quality, experts expect a bumper holiday season

- WENDY JASSON DA COSTA

TOURISM bosses are confident Durban is heading for a record-breaking festive season, even though some visitors arriving for their seaside holiday may have to stay on dry land after four of the city's beaches were closed due to pollution.

Blue Lagoon, Ethekwini Beach, Country Club Beach and Battery Beach, all in the city centre, were closed as a "precautionary measure" on Thursday while a team investigates the source of the pollution and implements "appropriate mitigation measures", the City said.

The closures come just days after record-breaking crowds flocked to the beachfront on Reconciliation Day, with at least 75000 bathers entering the water and 234500 people using the promenade - one of the busiest days in recent history, according to the council.

Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana told the Independent on Saturday that water samples were taken yesterday and that if they pass all safety tests, the affected beaches would reopen today. She said the city's remaining 19 bathing beaches continue to meet acceptable water quality standards and remain open.

"Maintenance of sewer infrastructure along various coastal catchments is ongoing. Any issues identified are already addressed promptly to ensure compliance with environmental standards. Once pollution sources are contained, seawater quality is expected to return to normal," Sisilana said.