Durban unlikely to qualify for blue flag status

Durban's beaches are not likely to qualify for blue flag status any time soon. This emerged as city officials revealed that pollution problems will only be wiped out in four years from now.

There is also doubt over whether the city will actually reapply for the international beach quality accreditation scheme. Four beaches in Durban were once rated world class, but poor water and sand quality led to the loss of their blue flag status, which some blame on the squatters around the beaches.

However, city officials claim that the pollution problem is being exaggerated. The Head of Water in eThekwini municipality, Neil Macleod, says: “We are still deciding whether to reapply or not for the blue flag but what we have done is make sure that the beaches are safe to swim in."

Under pressure
The city is under pressure as thousands of residents in informal areas have no access to sanitation. During the rainy season rivers run into the sea carrying sewerage.

Macleod says: “Those problems will not be resolved until 2013 when we have provided acceptable sanitation to every resident."

There is also pressure from businesses wanting to know how the city is going to solve the problem. The city says it is spending a lot of money upgrading its sewerage drains and it is cleaning up the beaches.

The blue flag organisation is remaining mum until the city reapplies for blue flag status.