Southern Sydney Beaches
Water Quality during January 2012
Issued 7 February 2012
The water quality at Sydney's southern beaches was impacted by rainfall during January, with 14 of the 28 beaches suitable for swimming on all sampling occasions. The best performing beaches were:
· Ocean beaches: Boat Harbour, Greenhills, Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla and South Cronulla
· Botany Bay: Congwong Bay, Dolls Point Baths, Sandringham Baths and Silver Beach
· Lower Georges River: Carss Point Baths and Jewfish Bay Baths
· Port Hacking: Gunamatta Bay Baths and Jibbon Beach.
Elevated enterococci levels exceeded the safe swimming limit of 40 cfu/100mL in one or more samples at the following locations:
· Ocean beaches: Shelly (Sutherland) and Oak Park
· Botany Bay: Yarra Bay, Frenchmans Bay, Foreshores Beach, Kyeemagh Baths, Brighton Le Sands Baths, Monterey Baths and Ramsgate Baths
· Lower Georges River: Oatley Bay Baths and Como Baths
· Port Hacking: Lilli Pilli Baths, Gymea Bay Baths and Horderns Beach.
Rainfall during January was 138.8 mm, above the long-term average of 101.5 mm, and the wettest January since 2001. There were three significant rainfall events during the month: 9 January (31.6 mm), 15 January (29 mm) and 26 January (29.6 mm).
A wet weather bypass of secondary biological treatment was reported at Cronulla Sewage Treatment Plant on 25 January and lasted for just over 6 hours.
Rainfall triggered wet weather sewage overflows into Botany Bay (directly or via the Cooks River or Mill Pond Creek) on 9,15, 16 and 25 January. Wet weather sewage overflows to the lower Georges River were recorded on 25 January.
Beachwatch recommends that swimming be avoided for one day after heavy rainfall at ocean beaches and for up to three days after rainfall at harbour beaches.
Before heading to the beach, particularly after it has been raining, check pollution levels by phoning the Beachwatch telephone information line on Freecall 1800 036 677, check the Beachwatch website at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach or follow us on Twitter @BeachwatchNSW.
When at the beach, look for signs of stormwater pollution such as discoloured water, or litter in the water or on the tide line before entering the water.
View: Enterococci monthly summary graph
Page last updated: 07 February 2012
