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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Coogee beach water quality rises but Sydney harbour spots sink | Coogee beach water quality rises but Sydney harbour spots sink |
| (4 months later) | |
| Drier weather helps give famous stretch a clean bill of health as State of the Beaches report finds 98% of NSW ocean beaches suitable for swimming | |
| Anne Davies | |
| Mon 2 Oct 2017 01.59 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 2 Oct 2017 06.19 BST | |
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| One of Australia’s most famous beaches, Coogee, has joined its Sydney neighbour Bondi in receiving a clean bill of health in the latest assessment of New South Wales beaches. | One of Australia’s most famous beaches, Coogee, has joined its Sydney neighbour Bondi in receiving a clean bill of health in the latest assessment of New South Wales beaches. |
| But problems still persist at Sydney harbour swimming spots, at Malabar in Sydney’s south, and at popular beaches on the central coast, notably Avoca and Terrigal, due to stormwater runoff. In heavy rain, sewer systems often overflow into the stormwater, causing bacteria and faecal matter to enter the harbour, rivers and oceans. | But problems still persist at Sydney harbour swimming spots, at Malabar in Sydney’s south, and at popular beaches on the central coast, notably Avoca and Terrigal, due to stormwater runoff. In heavy rain, sewer systems often overflow into the stormwater, causing bacteria and faecal matter to enter the harbour, rivers and oceans. |
| Until now, Coogee had failed to make the grade and had been classified as having poor water quality. The main reason for the change, detailed in the annual State of the Beaches report, appears to be the slightly drier weather in 2016-17 and timing of the tests. | Until now, Coogee had failed to make the grade and had been classified as having poor water quality. The main reason for the change, detailed in the annual State of the Beaches report, appears to be the slightly drier weather in 2016-17 and timing of the tests. |
| In general, open ocean beaches in NSW have excellent water quality, with 98% of 140 monitored ocean beaches graded as very good or good. This indicates they were suitable for swimming most or almost all of the time. | In general, open ocean beaches in NSW have excellent water quality, with 98% of 140 monitored ocean beaches graded as very good or good. This indicates they were suitable for swimming most or almost all of the time. |
| This was a slight improvement on 2015-16, when 97% of ocean beaches were graded as very good or good. Overall, of the 250 sites where water quality was tested, 84% were graded as good or very good. These sites were suitable for swimming most or almost all of the time. | This was a slight improvement on 2015-16, when 97% of ocean beaches were graded as very good or good. Overall, of the 250 sites where water quality was tested, 84% were graded as good or very good. These sites were suitable for swimming most or almost all of the time. |
| But rainfall can change the water quality quickly and most beaches and harbour, lake and estuarine swimming spots carry warnings about swimming after rain. | But rainfall can change the water quality quickly and most beaches and harbour, lake and estuarine swimming spots carry warnings about swimming after rain. |
| In general, swimming should be avoided during heavy rain and for up to a day afterwards at ocean beaches and up to three days at estuarine sites, as they take longer to flush. | In general, swimming should be avoided during heavy rain and for up to a day afterwards at ocean beaches and up to three days at estuarine sites, as they take longer to flush. |
| Fifty-eight (73%) of the 79 estuarine swimming sites were graded as very good or good, a slight decline on the previous year. These swimming sites were typically located in the well flushed sections of the estuaries or had few potential sources of faecal contamination. | Fifty-eight (73%) of the 79 estuarine swimming sites were graded as very good or good, a slight decline on the previous year. These swimming sites were typically located in the well flushed sections of the estuaries or had few potential sources of faecal contamination. |
| Seventeen of the estuarine beaches were graded as poor, including Rose Bay beach and Tambourine Bay in Sydney Harbour, Carss Point baths and Oatley Bay baths in the lower Georges River and Horderns beach in Port Hacking. | Seventeen of the estuarine beaches were graded as poor, including Rose Bay beach and Tambourine Bay in Sydney Harbour, Carss Point baths and Oatley Bay baths in the lower Georges River and Horderns beach in Port Hacking. |
| Several were graded as fair, due to their proximity to stormwater outlets. | Several were graded as fair, due to their proximity to stormwater outlets. |
| The NSW environment minister, Gabrielle Upton, said stormwater generated by heavy rain was a major cause of pollution in recreational waters. | The NSW environment minister, Gabrielle Upton, said stormwater generated by heavy rain was a major cause of pollution in recreational waters. |
| “Councils and water authorities are constantly investing in improving water quality. It’s important to remember whatever is thrown on the ground may end up in stormwater and eventually lead into waterways,” she said. | “Councils and water authorities are constantly investing in improving water quality. It’s important to remember whatever is thrown on the ground may end up in stormwater and eventually lead into waterways,” she said. |
| Very heavy rainfall and large swells affected much of the NSW coastline in early June 2016 due to a significant east coast low storm. Dry periods persisted in the later months of 2016 and into early 2017, but wet conditions returned in February 2017, followed by the wettest March on record for many coastal areas. | Very heavy rainfall and large swells affected much of the NSW coastline in early June 2016 due to a significant east coast low storm. Dry periods persisted in the later months of 2016 and into early 2017, but wet conditions returned in February 2017, followed by the wettest March on record for many coastal areas. |
| Exposure to contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache, nausea, headache and fever. Eye, ear, skin and upper respiratory tract infections can also be contracted when pathogens come into contact with small breaks and tears in the skin or ruptures of the delicate membranes in the ear or nose. | Exposure to contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache, nausea, headache and fever. Eye, ear, skin and upper respiratory tract infections can also be contracted when pathogens come into contact with small breaks and tears in the skin or ruptures of the delicate membranes in the ear or nose. |
| New South Wales | |
| Bondi | |
| Bondi beach | |
| Sydney | |
| Oceans | |
| Water | |
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