Beachwatch testing resumes
The peak swimming season is back and so too is Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Beachwatch program.
Beachwatch monitors and reports beach water quality at some of the Shire’s most popular swimming beaches.
The program is undertaken every year from the start of November to the end of March.
Eleven ocean beaches are sampled five times each month and tested for contamination.
In addition to up-to-date water quality information being reported on Council’s website, Beachwatch results are also compiled by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage in an annual State of the Beaches report.
All Eurobodalla beaches achieved the top ‘Very Good’ or ‘Good’ ratings in the recently-released 2015-16 report.
Eurobodalla is one of 10 regional councils along the NSW coast that voluntarily participates in the program.
Council’s divisional manager for environmental services Deb Lenson said Beachwatch helped reassure the community about water quality.
“It provides regular and reliable information on beach water quality to enable people to make informed decisions about where and when to swim,” she said.
“Visitors flock to the Eurobodalla for its pristine unspoilt beaches and it is important they are kept that way.”
The monitored beaches are Bengello Beach, Brou Beach, Broulee North, Caseys Beach, Cookies Beach, Malua Bay, Narooma Main Beach, Narooma’s Bar Beach, Shelly Beach, Surf Beach and Tuross Main Beach.
To view the latest results or for more information about the program visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au and click on ‘water quality’ under council services.
The full State of the Beaches report can be viewed at the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Beachwatch website at www.environment.nsw.gov.au.
Media Release
