Four of Durban’s most popular beaches have been deemed safe for swimming and other recreational activities, following recent water quality tests conducted by the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology.
The approved beaches include Umhlanga Lighthouse, North Beach, uShaka Beach, and the Golden Mile, all of which passed safety assessments after water samples showed acceptable levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) — a bacterium that, in high concentrations, can lead to health issues such as diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
The tests were carried out on Thursday in anticipation of the Easter holiday period, which typically draws large crowds to the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
While this is welcome news for beachgoers, the institute cautioned that six other beaches within the eThekwini Municipality still recorded E. coli levels above the safe threshold and are currently not recommended for public use.
Professor Faizal Bux, director of the institute, emphasised the importance of routine testing to protect public health.
“Regular monitoring is critical to ensure that beachgoers are not exposed to harmful pathogens,” Bux said in a statement.
Authorities will continue conducting assessments and are expected to provide updates should safety conditions change.
