Monday, 2 November 2009
Testing the water
Following the success of last year's program, Eurobodalla Shire
Council has announced it will again be monitoring and reporting on
water quality of local swimming areas this summer.
Senior Environmental Health Officer,
Ric Cumming, says eleven local swimming sites will be monitored in
accordance with NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and
Water's Beachwatch Protocols.
"Council is monitoring for bacteria
known as enterococci which indicate if water is polluted
with stormwater or sewage and may be unsafe for swimming,"
Mr Cumming said. "A variety of sites will be monitored
including ten ocean beaches and a netted pool just within the break
walls of Wagonga Inlet."
Beachwatch Program Manager, Cris
Hickey, congratulated the council for their commitment to keep tabs
on the quality of their recreational swimming water, and to keep
the public informed.
"The South Coast is justly renowned for
its spectacular beaches, bays, estuaries and coastal lakes and
rivers," she said. "For the most part, these swimming spots are as
clean as they are beautiful. However, people need to be able to be
confident about the quality of the water they're swimming in. They
need informed advice about any potential health impacts and whether
it might be sensible to avoid swimming at certain times.
"While most coastal swimming sites
generally enjoy excellent water quality, some experience stormwater
pollution after rain. As a general rule, we encourage people to
avoid swimming for a day after rainfall at coastal beaches, and for
up to three days in estuarine areas," Ms Hickey said.
Mr Cumming added there are many things
the community can do to complement the work being conducted by
Council. "By placing litter in the bin, composting garden waste and
not using the hose as a broom, we can all help ensure pollution
stays out of the stormwater and our waterways remain clean," he
said.
For all media enquiries, please contact Emma Pegrum, Media Communications Officer, on T 4474 1012, M 0408 200 191 or via email to emma.pegrum@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au
