Ageing Nelson Mandela Bay wastewater treatment plants compromising health of residents

DA Shadow MEC for COGTA, Retief Odendaal, has criticised the closure of Brighton Beach by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) due to untreated sewage containing dangerously high levels of E. coli flowing into the sea from the Fish Water Flats Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In a media statement on Wednesday, Odendaal said the crisis posed a significant threat to Nelson Mandela Bay’s tourism sector, which depends on clean beaches and safe recreational waters.

Odendaal also warned that the negative impact on eThekwini’s tourism industry from similar E. coli issues should serve as a cautionary tale.

Fish Water Flats, the largest wastewater treatment plant in NMB, was constructed in 1976 and has suffered from repeated operational failures.

These problems, exacerbated by vandalism and theft, underscore the critical need to upgrade this vital facility.

“This crisis is not just about infrastructure—it’s about people’s lives. Residents of Nelson Mandela Bay are being