Because of elevated E.coli levels, the eThekwini Municipality has advised the public to avoid recreational activities along the Umngeni and Umhlangane rivers.
As a result, the Blue Lagoon beach is also closed until further notice.
Routine water quality monitoring along the Umgeni River, according to the municipality, has revealed elevated E.coli levels. This is due to sewage overflow caused by vandalism at some of eThekwini’s sewage pump stations.
“Repairs have been made on two pump stations and are now operating. However, the Johanna Road pump station feeding Umhlangane river which joins Umgeni river is still under repairs. The Water and Sanitation Department is dosing the storm water overflow with Chlorine tablets. Water sport organisers are hereby informed that recreational activities at Umngeni and Umhlangane rivers are not recommended.
eThekwini Municipality
The municipality added that the outlet from the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works is being dosed with sodium hypochlorite.
The public will be informed once it’s safe to use water.
In January, eThekwini north beaches were temporarily closed over possible contamination fears. The affected areas included North, Bay, Battery, Country Club 1 and 2, as well as eThekwini and Laguna beaches.
The municipality said that the closure of north beaches was in the public interest after the Umgeni River discharged “very abnormal murky waters to the beach.”
The north beach closures meant that fishing, surfing, swimming, and collecting marine creatures, was strictly prohibited until further notice due to possible contamination.