Umhlanga beaches temporarily closed due to wastewater pump malfunction
The eThekwini Municipality urges all residents and visitors to dispose of waste responsibly after debris was removed from a pump at the Ohlange Wastewater Pump Station, north of Durban.
Image: eThekwini Municipality
TWO of Umhlanga’s popular beaches, Bronze Beach and Umhlanga Main Beach, were temporarily closed on Wednesday following a malfunction at the Ohlange Wastewater Pump Station.
According to the eThekwini Municipality, the failure was caused by the abuse of sewer infrastructure, with foreign objects obstructing the system.
Officials released a video showing workers removing rags that had clogged the pump, leading to its breakdown. The municipality emphasized that 21 other beaches along Durban’s coastline remain open and safe for swimming.
Remedial work is already underway, including unclogging pumps to remove inappropriate waste such as rags, animal carcasses, and other household items not meant for sewer lines.
One of the local residents, Keith Eton, who frequently visits the beach promenade, recalled a previous health scare.
“It brought me down to my knees, and 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.”
Holidaymakers were also disappointed.
Johannesburg resident Tracey Esslemont, visiting with her two children, said, “We came to spend lots of time in the sea and on the beach. So we are disappointed.”
At a recent eThekwini Executive Committee meeting, Sibusiso Vilane, acting director of the Water and Sanitation Unit, outlined the municipality’s festive season plan for Umhlanga. He explained that all pump stations along the promenade are being monitored to prevent overflows, with measures in place for diesel refilling, silt removal, and screening.
“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.” added Vilane.