Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is urging beachgoers to continue checking water quality forecasts, or sign up for SMS alerts, before hitting Port Phillip Bay’s beaches in the coming days.
Following last week’s massive summer storm, EPA has this morning forecast poor water quality at five Melbourne beaches:
- Port Melbourne;
- Frankston Life Saving Club;
- Mentone;
- St Kilda; and
- Werribee South.
These five beaches are all located near large waterways or stormwater outlets, which serves as a reminder to avoid swimming near discoloured water.
A fair forecast has been issued for:
- Mordialloc;
- Sandridge; and
- Williamstown.
The rest of Port Phillip Bay’s 28 beaches have been rated as having good water quality.
EPA has rated the five beaches poor as the results of weekly testing conducted in Port Phillip Bay yesterday showed increased levels of enterococci, a group of bacteria found inside warm-blooded animals.
Enterococci is recognised as the best indicator in measuring faecal contamination of marine recreational waters.
EPA also issues forecasts for popular Yarra River locations. Warrandyte is rated good, while Healesville, Kew and Launching Place are rated fair.
EPA advises against swimming at all waterways and beaches after heavy rain as there could be a higher risk of illness to swimmers from increased bacterial levels.
Water quality information is displayed on signs at 28 Life Saving Victoria clubs around the bay during weekends and public holidays.
EPA asks people to look for signs of stormwater pollution before swimming – flowing drains, discoloured water, odour and litter along shorelines are signs that the beach may have poor water quality.
EPA’s Beach Report forecasts run until the Labour Day weekend next March.
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