The Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct (BUIP) knows that sustained water quality is a major priority for the local community and holidaymakers which is why, working as a collective with local residential estates, it has ensured consistent and independent sea water testing since the April 2022 floods which caused major havoc and pollution to KZN’s coastline.

Demonstrating rigorous transparency, the results of this weekly testing are shared weekly via the BUIP’s email and social media channels. From 4 January 2023 to 30 May 2023 samples taken from beaches and tidal pools from Salmon Bay through to Tiffany’s Beach showed that E. coli levels were consistently in the ‘green for ideal’ or ‘amber for acceptable’ range barring one week (9 May) where the count was at a critical level at Willard’s Beach. Bearing in mind that water quality is affected by high winds and seas, this occurrence was short lived and Willard’s, also a Blue Flag beach, will continue to host the annual Ballito PRO reinforcing its status a world class natural attraction.

BUIP precinct manager Thierry Leclezio says, “With Blue Flag status and a world class promenade, we certainly are very fortunate to have this wonderful facility on our doorstep that continues to draw crowds, provide a wonderful natural escape for locals and visitors and host world-class events.”

And while the north coast’s beaches continue to receive much deserved attention, the promenade itself is due for a minor upgrade in the form of a new access ramp. To further raise Ballito’s status as a caring and cared for environment, the BUIP in collaboration with KDM is actively raising funds to build a fourth access ramp down to the beach. Based on previous projects, the new ramp will cost R40 000 to build and the UIP is calling on the community to get behind this worthwhile UIP Non-Profit Company driven project. For more information on the project visit www.ballitouip/projects.co.za or donate directly via the zapper code.

“Collaboration amongst all community role-players and the public at large is key to further enhancing the KZN North Coast’s public spaces and delivering on our objective of being positioning as Africa’s most sought-after warm water lifestyle destination. It is also for this reason that we attract world-class events to our shores like the Ballito PRO. Together we can do it,” concludes Leclezio.