Durban - KwaDukuza Municipality says Thompsons Bay Beach and Willard Beach will remain closed while water quality testing is being carried out following a sewage spill contaminated the water.
The municipality informed residents, businesses and tourists in a statement on Sunday that works have been completed following the emergency the closure of Thompsons Bay Beach.
“The municipality working with Siza Water is currently doing water quality tests at the site to ensure that all health and safety aspects have been adhered to and that the beach is conducive for use,” it said.
The municipality said it was also aware that Siza Water issued a notice regarding possible exposure of Willard Beach.
“The municipality has decided to close this beach for today to conduct water quality tests,” it added in the statement.
On Saturday morning, Siza Water Management issued a statement alerting the public that the sewer main of Siza Water’s Simbithi Pump Station ruptured, causing an overflow into Thompsons Bay Beach.
“This unfortunate incident is regretted and Siza Water is committed to expediting the repairs as well as assisting in the rehabilitation of Thompsons Bay Beach so that it can be reopened when safe for the public to safely enjoy its use,” the statement continued.
In an update on Saturday afternoon, Siza Water said as a result of a generator fault at Siza Water's Sewer Pumpstation 10 during on-day load shedding, sewage overflowed on to Willard Beach
“This unfortunate incident is regretted and Siza Water is currently conducting the repairs of at the pump station,” said Siza Water Management.
The municipality said at this stage, both Thompsons Bay and Willard beaches were likely to be reopened for public use on Tuesday morning.
The municipality urged the public to make use of neighbouring beaches. These include:
- Clarke Bay Beach
- Chakas Rock Beach
- Salt Rock Beach
- Tiffany's Beach
- Tinley Beach
- Blythedale Beach
- Zinkwazi Beach
“The KwaDukuza Municipality apologises to all persons including the business fraternity whose plans are/were inconvenienced as a result of the emergency beach closures and appeals to tourists and visitors to continue supporting the area, ” the statement concluded