Each year from December to March council monitors and reports on water quality of 14 popular local swimming areas, including ocean beaches, lagoon sites and tidal baths/rock pools.
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These sites are monitored weekly for enterococci, a group of bacteria which indicates if water is polluted by stormwater or sewage surcharge and if the area is unsuitable for swimming.
Results of Beachwatch monitoring are updated weekly on the council and Beachwatch websites to keep residents and visitors informed of the water quality and whether to avoid swimming at certain times.
The program aims to provide regular and reliable information on recreational water quality to enable the community to make informed decisions about where and when to swim.
The rating categories are derived from the microbial assessment categories used in the National Health & Medical Research Council (2008) Guidelines.
Good rating
bacterial levels are safe for bathing according to National Health & Medical Research Council guidelines.
Fair rating
bacterial levels indicate an increased risk of illness to bathers, particularly those with lower immune function such as the elderly and young children.
Poor rating and Bad rating
bacterial levels indicate a substantially increased risk of illness to bathers