Our programs
Ocean Beaches
Beachwatch was established in 1989 in response to public concern over the level of sewage pollution at Sydney's ocean beaches. At that time, more than 1 billion litres of sewage was discharged to Sydney's coastal waters each day and visual indicators of sewage pollution such as sewage grease and condom rings were frequently washed onto beaches.
Today, water quality at Sydney's beaches is 98% cleaner thanks to initiatives such as the establishment of deep ocean outfalls to service Sydney's main coastal sewage treatment plants at North Head, Bondi and Malabar. However, due to the impacts of stormwater pollution and sewage overflows, poor water quality can still be measured following rainfall.
Beachwatch was expanded to the Hunter and Illawarra regions in 1996.
The Sydney Beaches Daily Ocean Bulletin is produced for beaches in the Sydney region and is available from the website or via a Freecall telephone information line: 1800 036 677.
Harbour Beaches
The Beachwatch Program for harbour beaches was established in November 1994 to monitor and report on the water quality at estuarine swimming locations in the Sydney region. This program was previously called Harbourwatch.
The Pittwater Bulletin, Sydney Harbour Bulletin and Botany Bay, Lower Georges River and Port Hacking daily bulletins are available from the website or via a Freecall telephone information line: 1800 036 677.
Beachwatch Partnership Program
The Beachwatch Partnership Program was established in 2004 to provide ongoing assistance to local councils wishing to undertake beach monitoring and reporting programs. The program follows on from the very successful Beachwatch Partnership Pilot Program which commenced in 2002. Fourteen coastal councils took part in the two year project funded by the NSW Government's Coastal Protection Package.
More information on the Beachwatch Partnership Program can be found on our Beachwatch Partnership Program page.
Page last updated: 22 September 2011
