Sydney beaches polluted with human faecal matter
Written by admin on October 28, 2024
Water quality warnings have been issued for dozens of beaches across Sydney prone to pollution from human faecal matter.
On Friday, the NSW Government released a report about the water quality of beaches across the state urging swimmers to check the water quality before they go swimming.
The report identified about 28 per cent of monitored swimming spots across NSW were susceptible to pollution, while most of the monitored sites received a good or very good rating.
A day after the report was released the Beachwatch website issued dozens of cautions for beaches across Sydney including Gymea Bay, Malabar Beach, Monterey Baths, Carrs Park Baths, Frenchmans Bay and Gunnamatta Bay Baths.
“Water Quality usually suitable for swimming, but young children, the elderly, or those with compromised health may be at increased risk,” the warning read.
Oatley Bay Baths was listed as “unsuitable for swimming”.
The website advised fair water quality meant microbial water quality was generally suitable for swimming but because of the presence of significant sources of faecal contamination, extra care should be taken to avoid swimming.
Authorities advised people to avoid swimming swim after rainfall or when there were signs of pollution such as discoloured water, odour or debris in the water.
The report revealed Bondi and Maroubra beaches had good ratings, while beaches in Coogee, Bronte and Oatley Bay had received poor ratings.
Swimming in contaminated water poses serious health risks, the report warned.
“Contamination of recreational waters with faecal material from animal and human sources can pose significant health problems to beach users owing to the presence of pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) in the faecal material,” the report stated.
“The most common groups of pathogens found in recreational waters are bacteria, protozoans and viruses.
“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.”
With the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a wet summer, and as rain is often the cause of temporary lower water quality, swimmers were encouraged to check the water quality before they dived in.
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