Sydneysiders Listen Up: Your Local Beach Could Be Contaminated With Faecal Matter

William Demirdonder
Feb 09, 2022
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15-minute read

Maybe it’s best to skip the morning swim today. Dozens of popular Sydney beaches are thought to be contaminated – exposed to pollutants (bacteria) due to stormwater and sewage overflows from recent heavy rain.

Scientists warn that more than 70 popular swimming spots in Sydney are polluted and warnings have been issued as experts say “avoid the water for at least 3 days”.

The warning, issued on February 9th, 2022 by Beach Watch stated; “As a precaution, swimming should be avoided due to the possibility of pollution.”

Where Does The Polluted Water Come From?

The polluted water comes from the level of a specific bacteria found in the water. A safe amount of bacteria in our beaches is 40 enterococci (a specific type of bacteria) per 100ml.

Due to the recent rainfall (thanks to La Nina weather system this Summer) causing sewage and stormwater overflows, it is thought that many of Sydney’s popular swimming beaches could see up to 10,000 enterococci per 100ml.

Quite the jump. This bacteria in elevated levels is unhealthy for you and your family.

Earth Watch Institute chief scientist; Scott Wilson recommended Sydneysiders avoid swimming at affected beaches for three days.

Mr Wilson told Channel Nine News: “We tend to find that our estuarine harbour beaches tend to have more pollution than those on our open coast. The warning usually is three days after rain, I wouldn’t be swimming before that.”

We urge all Proximity Plumbing clients to heed these warnings and keep the swim at the beach on the cards for next week at least.

For more information see: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

Beach Watch

Earthwatch Institute

List of Sydney Beaches to Avoid For 3 Days:

Birdwood Park (Narrabeen Lagoon) – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Cabarita Beach – pollution is possible, take care

North Narrabeen – pollution is possible, take care	Dawn Fraser Pool – pollution is possible, take care

North Curl Curl – pollution is possible, take care	Chiswick Baths – pollution is possible, take care

Queenscliff Beach – pollution is possible, take care	Woolwich Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Bondi Beach – pollution is possible, take care	Tambourine Bay – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Tamarama Beach – pollution is possible, take care	Woodford Bay – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Bronte Beach – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Greenwich Baths – pollution is possible, take care

Coogee Beach – pollution is possible, take care	Monterey Baths – pollution is possible, take care

Malabar Beach – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Silver Beach – pollution is possible, take care

Little Bay Beach – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Sandringham Baths – pollution is possible, take care

Boat Harbour – pollution is possible, take care	Dolls Point Baths – pollution is possible, take care

Barrenjoey Beach – pollution is possible, take care	Ramsgate Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Bayview Baths – pollution is possible, take care	Brighton Le Sands Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Parsley Bay – pollution is possible, take care	Kyeemagh Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Rose Bay Beach – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Foreshores Beach – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Murray Rose Pool – pollution is possible, take care	Yarra Bay – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Hayes Street Beach – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Frenchmans Bay – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Clifton Gardens – pollution is possible, take care	Congwong Bay – pollution is possible, take care

Balmoral Baths – pollution is possible, take care	Como Baths – pollution is possible, take care

Edwards Beach – pollution is possible, take care	Jew Fish Bay Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Chinamans Beach – pollution is possible, take care	Oatley Bay Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Northbridge Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Carss Point Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Davidson Reserve – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Horderns Beach – pollution is likely, avoid swimming

Gurney Crescent Baths – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Gymea Bay Baths – pollution is possible, take care

Clontarf Pool – pollution is likely, avoid swimming	Gunnamatta Bay Baths – pollution is possible, take care

Forty Baskets Pool – pollution is possible, take care

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