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Beachwatch and Harbourwatch State of the Beaches 2006-2007 summary

Introduction

This report describes the results of Beachwatch and Harbourwatch water quality monitoring and reporting activities at Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter and Illawarra ocean beaches and at Sydney estuarine beaches for the period 1 May 2006 to 30 April 2007. Discussion in this report focuses on the 2006-2007 summer season, which covers the period from 1 October 2006 to 30 April 2007.


Beachwatch uses two types of indicator bacteria, faecal coliforms and enterococci, to measure recreational water quality, as recommended by the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC, 1990) and the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC, 1992). These guidelines also refer to other physical and chemical parameters for the assessment of recreational water quality, such as pH, clarity and temperature. Beachwatch focuses on the use of faecal coliforms and enterococci, as these indicate the possible presence of waterborne pathogens that pose the most significant risks to human health. Results presented in this report are described in terms of faecal coliform and enterococci compliance with Beachwatch water quality criteria.

Details: Chapter 1 (PDF format, 297 KB).

Results for 2006-2007

Of the 131 swimming locations monitored in the Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra regions, 103 complied with Beachwatch guidelines 100% of the time. These excellent results are due to very low rainfall and long-term improvements in the management of stormwater and wastewater.

Sydney metropolitan ocean beaches

Sydney's cleanest beaches during summer 2006-2007 were Whale, Avalon, Bilgola, Newport, Bungan, Mona Vale, Warriewood, Turimetta, North Narrabeen, Collaroy, Long Reef, Dee Why, North Curl Curl, South Curl Curl, Freshwater and North Steyne in Sydney's north, the city beaches of Bondi, Tamarama, Clovelly, Maroubra and Little Bay and the southern beaches of Greenhills, Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla, South Cronulla, Oak Park and Shelly Beach (Sutherland).

Thirty-four of the 37 metropolitan ocean swimming locations complied at least 80% of the time with Beachwatch guidelines for both bacterial indicators (faecal coliforms and enterococci). This is similar to the results from the previous summer (2005-2006) when 33 of 36 beaches complied more than 80% of the time. An additional site, Little Bay, was included in the Beachwatch Program in summer 2006-2007.

The beaches with a compliance of less than 80% were Birdwood Park at Narrabeen Lagoon (66% for enterococci), Shelly Beach Manly (79% for enterococci) and Malabar Beach (70% for enterococci).


Details: Chapter 3 - Northern Sydney Beaches (PDF format, 2854 KB)
Details: Chapter 3 - City and Southern Sydney Beaches (PDF format, 1817 KB)

Hunter region ocean beaches

The good news from previous summer seasons continued for the Hunter region beaches during summer 2006-2007. Once again they were among the cleanest group of beaches monitored under the Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra Beachwatch program.

The Hunter's cleanest beaches were Zenith, Box, Fingal, One Mile, South Stockton, Nobbys, Newcastle, Bar, Merewether, Burwood North, Burwood South, Glenrock Lagoon, Dudley, Redhead, Blacksmiths and Caves Beach. These 16 beaches complied 100% with Beachwatch swimming water quality guidelines for both indicators.

Swansea Heads Little Beach complied 100% of the time for faecal coliforms and 94% of the time for enterococci.

Details: Chapter 3 - Hunter Region Beaches (PDF format, 2476 KB)

Illawarra region ocean beaches

Seventeen of the 18 beaches in the Illawarra monitored for both faecal coliforms and enterococci recorded 100% compliance with Beachwatch water quality guidelines during the 2006-2007 summer season. These beaches were Austinmer, Thirroul, Bulli, Woonona, Bellambi, Corrimal, Coniston, North Wollongong, Wollongong City, Fishermans, Port Kembla, Warilla, Shellharbour, Boyd's Jones, Bombo, Surf Beach (Kiama) and Werri Beach.

This is not only a great improvement on the results from the previous summer season (when only nine of the 15 beaches monitored for both faecal coliforms and enterococci complied 100%), but the highest level of compliance ever recorded for Illawarra's beaches. The additional three sites included are Austinmer, Thirroul and Surf Beach (Kiama), which are now monitored for enterococci, as well as faecal coliforms. Overall, the Illawarra beaches performed very well for both bacterial indicators. The exception was Lake Illawarra Entrance. Faecal coliform compliance (94%) was high at this swimming site, but enterococci compliance was relatively low (39%).

Details: Chapter 3 - Illawarra Region Beaches (PDF format, 2898 KB)

Sydney metropolitan harbour and bay swimming sites

Forty-three of the 59 harbour swimming sites complied 100% with Beachwatch criteria for faecal coliforms and enterococci during the 2006-2007 summer season. While this is marginally less than the results from the previous summer season, it is still a dramatic improvement on the results from 2004-2005 (when only 18 of the 59 beaches complied 100%), and the second-highest level of compliance ever recorded for Sydney's harbour beaches. The highest result was obtained in summer 2005-2006, when 51 of the 59 beaches complied 100% of the time.

Harbour swimming sites that complied 100% of the time with both bacterial indicators during summer 2006-2007 were:

  • Pittwater - Barrenjoey Beach, Paradise Beach Baths, Clareville Beach, Winji Jimmi Bay, Bayview Baths, North Scotland Island, South Scotland Island, The Basin and Great Mackerel Beach
  • Sydney Harbour - Clifton Gardens, Redleaf Pool, Rose Bay Beach, Nielsen Park, Parsley Bay, Watsons Bay, Forty Baskets Pool, Fairlight Beach, Manly Cove, Little Manly Cove, Davidson Reserve, Gurney Crescent Baths, Sangrado Baths, Chinamans Beach, Edwards Beach, Balmoral Baths, Tambourine Bay, Woodford Bay, Woolwich Baths, Cabarita Beach, Henley Baths, Dawn Fraser Pool and Greenwich Baths
  • Lower Georges River - Jew Fish Bay Baths, Oatley Bay Bath, Sandringham Baths and Dolls Point Baths
  • Botany Bay - Ramsgate Baths, Monterey Baths, Brighton le Sands Baths, Kyeemagh Baths and Silver Beach
  • Port Hacking - Lilli Pilli Baths and Hordens Beach.

Details: Chapter 4 - Pittwater (PDF format, 1845 KB)

Details: Chapter 4 - Sydney Harbour (PDF format, 3787 KB)

Details: Chapter 4 - Georges River, Botany Bay and Port Hacking (PDF format, 2649 KB)

Actions to improve beach and harbour water quality

Many actions are being taken to prevent pollution at the beach. State and local governments are tackling sources of pollution in a range of ways. Chapter 2 outlines the developments and achievements of 2006-2007 in the following areas:

Stormwater

  • NSW Government's Urban Stormwater Program
  • Sydney Water's Stormwater Environmental Improvement Program

Sewage Treatment Plants

  • Upgrades to Sydney's coastal sewage treatment plants
  • Sydney Water's Illawarra Wastewater Strategy

Sewage Overflows

  • Sydney Water's SewerFix Program
  • Upgrades to the sewerage system in the Hunter

Details: Chapter 2 (PDF format, 123 KB)

Quality assurance

The Beachwatch quality assurance (QA) program is undertaken to ensure that the data collected and presented are accurate and reliable. This includes QA of field sampling, microbiological analysis of beach water samples and reporting to the community. Results indicate that Beachwatch samples are collected according to established protocols, the microbiological data are reliable, and Beachwatch information reported to the community is accurate and timely.

Details: Chapter 5 (PDF format, 156 KB)

Special studies

The routine monitoring of bacterial water quality undertaken by the Beachwatch and Harbourwatch programs has established a good understanding of how receiving waters respond to changing pressures from adjacent catchments. However, targeted studies are from time to time required to investigate specific causes of poor water quality that may have aroused community concerns. During 2006-2007 a special study was undertaken in Darling Harbour.

Details: Chapter 6 (PDF format, 203 KB)

Appendices

There are three appendixes to this report:

  • Appendix 1 describes the use of indicator micro-organisms in establishing the suitability of a body of water for recreational use.
  • Appendix 2 presents the detailed results of the microbiological quality assurance program.
  • Appendix 3 is intended to point the reader towards other information sources relating to bacterial pollution of waterways used for recreation and human health risks.

A list of references, a glossary and a beach index are also provided at the end of the report.

Details: Appendixes (PDF format, 222 KB)

About this report

The format and structure of Beachwatch and Harbourwatch State of the Beaches 2006-2007 may have been adapted for web delivery.

For technical information about this report contact:

Beachwatch, Department of Environment and Conservation NSW
59-61 Goulburn Street, Sydney
PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232

Phone: (02) 9995 5344
Fax: (02) 9995 5913
Email: Beachwatch@environment.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach
Size: 297 mm x 210 mm (A4)
Length: 327 pp + cover


ISSN: 1441-4147
DEC 2007/398
Published: October 2007

This publication was printed on recycled paper.

 

Published by:

Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW
59-61 Goulburn Street, Sydney
PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232

Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)
131 555 (environment information and publications requests)
1300 361 967 (national parks information and publications requests)
Fax: (02) 9995 5999
TTY: (02) 9211 4723
Email: info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Disclaimer: The EPA has compiled the information in this publication in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. No representation is made as to its accuracy, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose. Readers should seek appropriate advice as to the suitability of the information for their particular needs.

Copyright: Beachwatch and Harbourwatch State of the Beaches 2006-2007 is copyright, however the Department of Environment and Climate Change is pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or part, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged.

 

 

Page last updated: 25 February 2008