Durban’s tourism hotspots drowning in sewage
21 September 2021
The DA were alerted to sewage once again spilling into Durban Harbour and Wilson’s Wharf, as well as sewage leakages onto Durban’s Golden Mile and Umhlanga beaches.
Two weeks ago a sewage spill witnessed the closure of Battery Beach on Durban’s famous Golden Mile whilst Umhlanga’s beaches suffer a similar fate with reports of raw sewage meandering into these tourism hotspots.
Durban is facing a sewage crisis that is compromising the status of our most prized tourist attractions. These regular unchecked sewage spills have manifold economic, environmental, social and health impacts.
The Blue Flag status of Durban’s Golden Mile Beaches are under threat as E. Coli levels far surpass standards considered safe for human exposure. As these beaches are further degraded, their ability to attract tourists both local and international are likely to diminish. This in turn means that businesses in the area will experience the knock-on effects of decreased clientele, severely impacting local tourism economies that are already under financial strain due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Likewise, as the water quality of Umhlanga’s famous beaches deteriorates so too will it’s ability to attract tourists to the area.