Durban - The eThekwini Municipality says there has been significant progress in coastal sewer repairs.
The municipality announced on Monday that the city had made significant progress in the repairs of coastal sewer pump stations which had been affecting water quality of the beaches.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the repairs had been completed in many of the coastal pump stations.
He said these repairs had stopped an overflow into the environment in other areas.
“Where repairs are not yet complete, teams are doing final touch-ups which include carrying out housekeeping, sump cleaning and fencing repairs,” he said.
Mayisela said repairs were also in progress to sewer pipelines and trunk mains in uMhlanga where teams were working round the clock to clear overflowing manholes.
“Work is also progressing well at the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works which has been largely responsible for contaminating the uMgeni River and nearby beaches.
“Significant headway has been made in the repair work considering the damage which was extensive. This is evident in the improvement of beach water quality which has allowed the city to open many of the beaches.”
He said the city was also aware of overflows in some areas resulting from damaged trunk mains whose repairs were not yet complete.
“The city continues to frequently monitor beach water quality to ensure that we make an informed decision for public safety,” said Mayisela.
He added that for the rest of the beaches that were still contaminated, the city was working as fast as it could to finalise repairs.
Meanwhile, the city said repairs to the popular Rachel Finlayson pool at the Durban beachfront were imminent following the appointment of a contractor who will fix the pool.
Mayisela said the pool had not been operational for a while, much to the disappointment of residents and visitors.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said the public’s frustration was understandable.
“Now that we have appointed a contractor we can get the pool up and running again. In addition, officials are also finalising the appointment of a contractor to repair the Children’s Amusement Centre pool, also at the beachfront,” said Kaunda.
He said the public could use the South Beach Paddling pool, which was operational.
In addition, Mayisela said the Kings Park indoor and outdoor pools were also operational and close to the beachfront.
Across the municipality a further 22 pools are operational:
- Rainham,
- Durban North,
- Pipeline,
- Tiger Rocks,
- Anstey's,
- Westville,
- Stanmore,
- uMlazi D,
- L.T King,
- Bayview,
- Arena Park,
- Alex Bulley,
- Lamontville,
- Lahee Park,
- Ntuzuma,
- Sutton Park,
- Tesoriere,
- Mariannridge,
- Tills Crescent,
- Croftdene,
- Bellair and Umgababa