KZN beaches losing premier status

KwaZulu-Natal is losing its status as one of the world's premier beach destinations. It's beaches have lost most of its international symbols of prestige known as Blue Flags.

Now tourism officials are worried about bookings over Easter. Four of the city's six beaches have been downgraded. Poor water quality and illegal connections between sewage and storm-water systems are to blame.

National Blue Flag co-ordinator Allison Kelly says: "Poor water quality is the number one issue. If you look at the beach ... and the quality of the sand, its dirty and its not been managed well."

The Blue Flag system is designed to assure bathers of good sea water quality and clean facilities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) allows for a 100 parts of faecal pollution per 100 millilitre of water. Samples collected in Durban last month showed readings nine times the norm. The city has a year to fix it.

At this stage, its still safe to swim. But, if tests done this week don't satisfy environmentalists, some beaches may be closed.