The Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has conducted water quality tests at some of Durban’s popular beach destinations, non–swimming beaches and the Umgeni River. The water samples, to test for E.coli, were obtained on Tuesday, 28 November 2023.

All swimming beaches except Laguna Beach, satisfy microbiological water quality standards for recreational water quality. However,  samples obtained from the Umgeni River mouth and adjacent beaches far exceeded permissible limits for E.coli. Laguna Beach has been closed.

Professor Faizal Bux, who is the Director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at DUT, advised the public to “refrain from using non-swimming beaches for recreational purposes. The institute will continue to monitor beach water quality during the holiday period and keep the public informed.”  

Six of the 11 samples produced ideal results, one sample was acceptable and four water samples presented with critical levels of E.coli.

The sampling was done concurrently with the eThekwini municipality. The Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at DUT publishes the results in the public interest. The tests are conducted by scientists and researchers based at the award winning IWWT at the Durban University of Technology and the water sampling tests are not commissioned by any external person and/or organisation or entity.

The map and table below shows the location of the beaches and the Umgeni River that formed part of the IWWT water quality tests and provides a table of the water quality interpretation.

Water quality interpretation:

Pictured: IWWT Director: Professor Faizal Bux.

Alan Khan