Enterococci do not cause disease but are present in the human intestine, so bacteria levels are used as a measure of how much raw sewage is in the water.
Coogee was the only beach in Sydney that was rated ‘vulnerable’ for pollution levels. Rain water pours on the beach.attributed to him:Edwina Pickle
Swimming sites classified as “poor” mean the water there is “prone to fecal contamination” and is not always suitable for swimming, especially after three days of rain. It is generally unsafe to swim in areas rated “very poor” due to the levels of sewage, microbes, and pathogens in the water.
The testing process takes 24 to 48 hours, so there is no real-time indicator of water quality, but Beachwatch uses rainfall data to predict pollution levels.
As the wet spring continues, University of Western Sydney water scientist Dr Ian Wright advises swimmers to keep an eye on the beach hour forecast.
“This is really important information, especially for people who have compromised immune systems or who are very young or very old or sick,” Wright said.
Swimming in polluted water carries a small risk of gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, and infections of the skin, ears, eyes, blood, and respiratory tract.
“Anyone who swims in an estuary or coastal beach near an urban area should know…You are not swimming for a few days, because it is very likely that you are swimming in dilute sewage.”
loading
While more than three-quarters of swimming, lagoon and lake sites were subject to pollution, 94 per cent of NSW ocean beaches scored ‘good’ or ‘very good’ ratings.
Coogee Beach was the only beach in Sydney considered poor.
Get to know the essence of what is happening with climate change and the environment. The biweekly environment newsletter brings you news, issues and solutions. Register here.
Originally published at Melbourne News Vine
No comments:
Post a Comment