POPULAR beaches and rivers around East London were closed this weekend amid growing concerns over sewage spills.
Nahoon beach was closed on Friday after a sewage spill contaminated the Ihlanza “turdy” river, which runs across that beach.
The Quinera river was also closed at Bonza Bay beach yesterday although Buffalo City Metro staff did not officially confirm this was because of sewage contamination.
City spokesman Thandy Matebese confirmed on Friday that overloaded storm drains and sewers caused the Nahoon spill.
Sewage spills can pose serious health risks for people, as waterborne diseases and parasites may be transmitted by the contaminated water.
Last week’s sewage spill meant that the weekend’s Billabong Junior Series surf competition had to be moved to Gonubie beach.
Surfers at Gonubie yesterday said the situation was an embarrassment for East London.
“It’s ridiculous that BCM lets this happen,” said competition fan Todd Duston.
“People come here from all over the country and then we are all embarrassed by a sewage spill.”
His brother Chad, who competed in the event, said he was concerned how the spill would affect East London’s reputation, including future competitions.
The Daily Dispatch reported on Friday thousands of indigenous Mozambique tilapia fish were killed as a result of the pollution in the Ihlanza river. A dead little river eel was seen on the banks on Saturday.
When the Dispatch visited Nahoon beach yesterday, there were two clearly visible BCM signs reading only “Beach Closed”. Despite this, there were several people with their dogs and small children playing on the beach.
The Quinera river only had one small partially hidden sign, which read “River Closed”.
When the Dispatch asked lifeguards on duty about it, they seemed unconcerned and said “people knew” the river was closed, despite the fact many children were playing in the river, while others were swimming.
When the lifeguards were questioned about keeping people out of the river, they said the Dispatch should speak to their supervisors.
Beach-goer Adrian Liss took his two golden Labradors for their daily beach run when he came across the “River Closed” sign – and his two dogs jumped into the river. He was unaware of a sewage spill, saying: “It’s disgusting. You can’t bring your kids down here.”
A woman and her six-year-old son were fishing and playing in the river yesterday morning. She also said she did not know about the sewage spill, and hadn’t seen the “River closed” sign further down the river embankment.
“We washed our hands in this water,” the surprised woman said, who was eating a packet of chips.
“I had no idea; I didn’t see the sign,” she said.
There were several other people fishing in the Quinera river, as well as a man paddling in a kayak. —
Sewage shuts down EL beaches
Nahoon beach was closed on Friday after a sewage spill contaminated the Ihlanza “turdy” river, which runs across that beach.
The Quinera river was also closed at Bonza Bay beach yesterday although Buffalo City Metro staff did not officially confirm this was because of sewage contamination.
City spokesman Thandy Matebese confirmed on Friday that overloaded storm drains and sewers caused the Nahoon spill.
Sewage spills can pose serious health risks for people, as waterborne diseases and parasites may be transmitted by the contaminated water.
Last week’s sewage spill meant that the weekend’s Billabong Junior Series surf competition had to be moved to Gonubie beach.
Surfers at Gonubie yesterday said the situation was an embarrassment for East London.
“It’s ridiculous that BCM lets this happen,” said competition fan Todd Duston.
“People come here from all over the country and then we are all embarrassed by a sewage spill.”
His brother Chad, who competed in the event, said he was concerned how the spill would affect East London’s reputation, including future competitions.
The Daily Dispatch reported on Friday thousands of indigenous Mozambique tilapia fish were killed as a result of the pollution in the Ihlanza river. A dead little river eel was seen on the banks on Saturday.
When the Dispatch visited Nahoon beach yesterday, there were two clearly visible BCM signs reading only “Beach Closed”. Despite this, there were several people with their dogs and small children playing on the beach.
The Quinera river only had one small partially hidden sign, which read “River Closed”.
When the Dispatch asked lifeguards on duty about it, they seemed unconcerned and said “people knew” the river was closed, despite the fact many children were playing in the river, while others were swimming.
When the lifeguards were questioned about keeping people out of the river, they said the Dispatch should speak to their supervisors.
Beach-goer Adrian Liss took his two golden Labradors for their daily beach run when he came across the “River Closed” sign – and his two dogs jumped into the river. He was unaware of a sewage spill, saying: “It’s disgusting. You can’t bring your kids down here.”
A woman and her six-year-old son were fishing and playing in the river yesterday morning. She also said she did not know about the sewage spill, and hadn’t seen the “River closed” sign further down the river embankment.
“We washed our hands in this water,” the surprised woman said, who was eating a packet of chips.
“I had no idea; I didn’t see the sign,” she said.
There were several other people fishing in the Quinera river, as well as a man paddling in a kayak. —
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