Key Durban sewage pump station repaired in time for festive season

The problematic Ohlange sewage pump station, which has seen Umhlanga Beach closed for long periods, has been fixed, says the eThekwini municipality.

Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the station north of the city had been commissioned and the overflow into the Ohlanga River had stopped.

Last week the Sunday Times reported that Durban’s sewage pollution crisis had turned the popular seaside town of Umhlanga into an “undesirable” holiday destination, projected to lose R25m a day if its beaches didn't open during the peak summer season.

The condition of the beach resulted in a lag in hotel bookings for the festive season, leaving establishments concerned about whether they would see an uptick in reservations.

Mayisela said teams worked “tirelessly to ensure the pump station was back online in time for the festive season.

“This is a milestone and a proud moment for our teams.

“The commissioning of the pump station also means the water quality at Umhlanga Beach will continue to improve.

“The city is working to recommission other pump stations so we can finally bring under control the current sanitation challenges.”

Water treatment service Talbot, which conducts regular testing of the ocean and rivers for E coli, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that “it may be too soon to be optimistic, but water quality is looking great at the eThekwini and Umhlanga main beaches. The repairs to the wastewater treatment works are having a positive effect and [we are] hopeful this trend continues and is not just a temporary measure.”

Its reading for Umhlanga and Bronze beaches showed low levels of E coli. Anything above 500 counts per 100ml is considered critical and warrants a beach closure.

TimesLIVE