Umhlanga beaches temporarily closed: Residents express disappointment over sewer repairs

Beachgoers are unhappy that two of Umhlanga's beaches were temporarily closed on Wednesday due to a malfunction at a sewer pump station. 

The eThekwini Municipality temporarily closed Bronze Beach and Umhlanga Main Beach following a pump station failure at the Ohlange Wastewater Pump Station.

The municipality stated that the failure was caused by the abuse of sewer infrastructure, with foreign objects obstructing the system.

It advised that 21 other beaches along Durban’s coastline remain open and safe for swimming. A video released by the municipality shows officials removing rags that had lodged inside the pump, leading to its breakdown. 

Remedial work is already under way, including unclogging pumps to remove inappropriate waste such as rags, animal carcasses, and other household items not intended for sewer lines.

Keith Eton, a resident of Umhlanga, said he comes to the beach regularly, especially to walk along the promenade.

He said that two years ago, he got sick from swimming at the beach, which had a high level of E. coli. 

“It brought me down to my knees, where I had to go to the doctor. I did not know what I had. I had to get antibiotics. Beaches are closed for a good reason. I don't suggest anyone go swimming because of the E. coli. Let them clean up the beaches of E. coli before reopening them,” he said. 

Johannesburg resident, Tracey Esslemont, who is on holiday with her two children, said they were excited to come to the beach, but have now found out the beach is closed while they wait for the E. coli results. 

“We came to spend lots of time in the sea and on the beach. So we are disappointed,” she said. 

At a recent eThekwini Executive Committee meeting, Sibusiso Vilane, the acting director of the Water and Sanitation Unit, explained that the eThekwini Water and Sanitation network operations festive season plan for Umhlanga included ensuring that all pump stations along the Umhlanga Promenade are operational and experiencing no overflows.

He said that the plan includes provisions for addressing diesel refilling, as well as the removal of silt and screening at the pump stations.

He stated that all pump stations are checked daily to remove debris and ensure that pumps are operational.

“Five pump stations on the Umhlanga Promenade have generators to assist when there are power outages. These pump stations are the ones that would overflow to the swimming beaches. The telemetry system in these pump stations gives early warning of problems at the pump stations, and our response is within one hour.” 

Vilane told the committee that his department will ensure that sewer blockages in Umhlanga are attended to timeously. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za