Swimmers across the state can dive in with confidence this summer, with the NSW Government today releasing the 2020-21 State of the Beaches report.
The State of the Beaches report provides an overview of the water quality at 210 swimming locations monitored under the Beachwatch and Beachwatch Partnership programs across NSW. The 2020-21 report found:
· 98 per cent of the 118 ocean beaches were graded as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’;
- 77 per cent of the 71 estuarine swimming sites were graded as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’;
- 24 per cent of the 17 lake/lagoon swimming sites were graded as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’; and
- All four ocean baths were graded as ‘Good’.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said 179 of the 210 swimming sites in NSW were graded as Good or Very Good, indicating they were suitable for swimming most of the time.
“This is a good result given the wet weather conditions experienced in many coastal areas, including the wettest summer in NSW since 2012,” Mr Kean said.
“As we head into the summer swimming season I encourage everyone to not only Slip, Slop and Slap and swim between the flags, but to be COVID Safe on our beaches this summer.”
Water Minister Melinda Pavey said the report demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to improving water quality for communities.
“Rainfall is the major driver of pollution in recreational waters as it generates stormwater runoff and triggers discharges from the wastewater system,” Mrs Pavey said.
“That’s why we encourage swimmers to jump online to the Beachwatch website before they jump in the water this swimming season to check the daily pollution forecast particularly after rainfall.”
Sydney Water head of Wastewater and the Environment Ian Fairbairn said the results of this year’s report are testament to the work that goes on behind the scenes at Sydney Water.
“This summer we’ll roll out special hi tech sensors across the sewers within the catchments of the beaches,” Mr Fairbairn said
“This technology will give us an early warning of any potential blockages and discharge to waterways and allow us to prevent them from occurring to keep our waterways clean. We’re spending more than $200 million between now and 2024 to keep beaches and rivers right across Sydney swimmable.”
For more information visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beachwatch
Regional snapshot:
- Sydney: 91 per cent of swimming sites in the Sydney region were graded as Good or Very Good – a one per cent decline on last year.
- Central Coast: 56 per cent of swimming sites in the Central Coast region were graded as Good or Very Good - a three per cent decline on last year.
- Hunter: 100 per cent of swimming sites in the Hunter region were graded as Good or Very Good – a four per cent improvement on last year.
- North Coast: 68 per cent of swimming sites in the North Coast region were graded as Good or Very Good – a 15 per cent decline on last year.
- Illawarra: 100 per cent of swimming sites in the Illawarra region were graded as Good or Very Good – consistent with last year.
- South Coast: 95 per cent of swimming sites in the South Coast region were graded as Good or Very Good – a two per cent decline on last year.
