Durban - The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) says the unacceptably high E. coli levels found in Durban rivers and beaches are detrimental to tourism and hospitality in the country.
Fedhasa said this after an environmental conservation organisation said water sampling tests showed that E. coli levels in the uMngeni and Ohlanga rivers were alarmingly high.
High E. coli levels have also been registered at two beaches according to tests last month, Adopt-a-River said.
Experts have warned that the elevated E. coli levels were likely to have a health impact on the public should they swim in contaminated water.
Director of Adopt-a-River, Janet Simpkins, said the uMngeni River was critically contaminated and had been for sometime.
“This should be a major concern for the city and public notices issued,” said Simpkins, adding that the continuous contaminations were no longer flood-related, though they were worsened by the floods.
National chairperson of Fedhasa, Rosemary Anderson, said no tourist wants to visit an area where the recreational water source is polluted.
“We should be able to proudly market and attract local and international tourists to our beaches, rivers and dams. However, so many of them are now severely compromised due to municipalities’ poor management of our wastewater treatment works, pump stations and the lines.
“No tourist wants to visit an area where the recreational water source is polluted. Tourists will stay clear of these otherwise popular destinations, which will result in hospitality business closures and resultant job losses.”
She added that while the government talks about the need to create jobs, their management of the bulk services, such as sanitation, were in fact doing the opposite, causing the loss of jobs.
“As a tourism and hospitality owner, sadly, government’s inability to supply well-managed basics such as sanitation, consistent electrical supply, safety and security, are causing the loss of jobs in our sector, since businesses are struggling to stay in business with the increasing number of challenges brought about by government’s inability to provide these basics.
“It is the mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation to intervene if the municipalities are not managing the treatment of their raw sewage safely and effectively, but this is seldom done, resulting in the majority of our wastewater treatment systems in South Africa, heavily polluting the water sources they discharge into,” she said.