DURBAN - The current sand pumping taking place on the Durban beachfront, south of uShaka Marine World, was part of the ongoing beach restoration work done by city authorities.
This was according to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr), who said the sand pumping scheme was launched in 1982 after extensive research by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
Saambr’s Ann Kunz said the sand pumping was intended to replenish sand that was continuously lost along the Durban beachfront due to the longshore northwards movement of sand up the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
“Replacement of sand which is lost by this process is attributed to the presence of the harbour breakwaters and the sand trap on the seaside of the South Pier, which restricts the northward movement of sand up the coast,” Kunz said.
She explained that sand from the sand trap is collected by a dredger that connects to a pump station situated at the harbour entrance and from there it is pumped onto the beach. The piles of sand are then levelled by bulldozers.
“The current sand pumping operation has been timed to ensure that our beaches are in good condition over the upcoming Easter holiday period. We are expecting another bumper season this Easter and are looking forward to welcoming our visitors to Durban,” Kunz said.
Daily News