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Polluted Beaches Threaten Public Health Across NSW
22 Oct
Summary
- 21% of 249 swimming sites in NSW rated 'poor' or 'very poor'
- Coogee and Shelly beaches among Sydney's most polluted
- Government advises avoiding 'very poor' sites, especially after rain
According to a recent government report, the water quality at many beaches across New South Wales is a cause for concern. The 2024-25 NSW State of the Beaches report, an annual survey by the state's Department of Environment, found that around 21% of the 249 swimming sites monitored received ratings of 'poor' or 'very poor'.
Some of the most polluted beaches in Sydney were Coogee and Shelly beach in Manly, which ranked among the sites with the highest levels of faecal matter. In total, 20 out of 98 beaches in Sydney were given the bottom two water quality ratings, indicating a high likelihood of pollution and significant health risks.
The government is advising the public to check the Beachwatch website for live updates on water quality, and to avoid swimming at 'very poor' sites, especially after heavy rain. While 95% of the 133 monitored ocean beaches in NSW scored between 'good' and 'very good', estuaries, lakes, rivers, and lagoons were more susceptible to stormwater and sewage runoff.
Despite the concerning findings, the government has characterized the report as an improvement on last year, with 23 beaches seeing their water quality improve and 179 maintaining their high 'good' to 'very good' ratings.
