Alarming E. coli at six Durban beaches - DUT research
Researchers at the Durban University of Technology say tests
have revealed alarming levels of E. coli at six beaches in the city.
Professor Faizal Bux, the director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, says they took samples at 10 eThekwini beaches on Thursday.
"The beaches along the uMngeni mouth are as normally, we always find a problem and they are heavily contaminated. The levels of e coli are way above the critical levels.
"Normally, we test all the way from Westbrook in Tongaat up to uShaka on the south of the Durban beaches. Out of the 10 beaches, four appear to be fine."
READ: Easter: Lifesaving SA urges caution at KZN beaches
The institute says the data shows elevated levels E. coli at Blue Lagoon, Virginia, Bronze, Addington and Westbrook beaches.
eThekwini Municipality has already flagged some of them as not safe for bathing.
Bux adds that they have not yet been able to pinpoint what could be behind the contamination.
"At this stage is difficult to say the exact causes taking into account that we had a lot of rainfall in KZN and most of the major rivers they are in full flow and the dams also releasing water.
"So, the exact cause, whether it's caused by sewage pollution or because of the excessive rainfall and the high flows of the river, I cannot say exactly what the exact cost is, but the uMngeni appears to be contributing to the problem."
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
