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 New South Wales. The 2020-21 report found:
- 98% of the 118 ocean beaches were graded as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’
- 77% of the 71 estuarine swimming sites were graded as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’
- 24% of the 17 lake/lagoon swimming sites were graded as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’
- All 4 ocean baths were graded as ‘Good’.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said 179 of the 210 swimming sites in New South Wales 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 New South Wales 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.”
