Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is advising beachgoers that good water quality has been forecast for 35 Port Phillip Bay beaches tomorrow.
Only Sandridge beach is forecast to be fair after water quality tests showed slightly elevated levels of bacteria following the recent heavy rain across Greater Melbourne.
This afternoon, only the Frankston Life Saving Club site, Sandridge and Mordialloc beaches have been forecast to have fair water quality, while the 33 other beaches monitored by EPA are forecast as good.
EPA Applied Sciences Group Manager, Dr Anthony Boxshall encouraged beachgoers to still check twice daily water quality forecasts, or sign up for SMS alerts, before swimming at Port Phillip Bay’s beaches over summer.
“Most Port Phillip Bay beaches usually have reasonably good water quality and Victorian beaches are great places to visit. They are also complex ecosystems and the bay has bounced back pretty well from the recent storms,” Dr Boxshall said.
“Heavy rain and storms are the highest risk to water quality when they follow extended periods of dry weather as they can flush pollution into the bay via the stormwater system. Always steer clear of swimming near stormwater outlets.”
EPA issues twice-daily water quality forecasts of good, fair and poor for Port Phillip Bay’s 36 beaches online and via twitter @EPA_Victoria. People can also sign up for SMS alerts at yarraandbay.vic.gov.au
Water quality information is also displayed on signs at 28 Life Saving Victoria clubs around Port Phillip Bay on weekends and public holidays advising the public about current water quality forecasts.
Good forecasts equate to suitable swimming conditions, fair means beaches may not be suitable while poor forecasts advise that beaches are not suitable for swimming.