A new report has revealed that one of the best-known NSW beaches, Terrigal Beach on the New South Wales Central Coast, suffers from dangerous levels of human faeces every time it rains.
Terrigal Beach and the nearby Haven and Lagoon areas have been closed several times this year due to high levels of bacteria in the water, which was found during the Terrigal catchment Audit.
The investigation undertaken by the University of Technology Sydney has found that human faeces are getting into the water via old drainage infrastructure and illegal sewerage connections. The report says that after rainfall, the presence of human faecal matter in the waters of Terrigal Beach increase to levels that pose a very high risk to human health.
The New South Wales Government Beach Watch website reports that:
“UTS wrote the report discussing how sampling was done, and the sources of microbial pollution at Terrigal Beach and Rose Bay Beach. The report confirms that pollution in the area is almost solely from sewage which is contaminating stormwater, particularly after rain. All sampling to date through this pilot project confirms Beachwatch’s advice that the beaches are safe for swimming three to five days after rain.”
“The findings from this report and ongoing studies will focus remediation efforts to improve the quality of water at these beaches. We will be working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency, councils and local communities as we progress these studies.”
If you plan to visit Terrigal Beach and surrounds after rainfall, be sure to check for signage that indicates wh ether the area is safe for swimming or not. Generally speaking, it’s best to wait three to five days after rainfall before enjoying the beautiful surrounds of Terrigal Beach.
Watch the video below for Tara’s super easy tips to improve your time at the beach and make it a little bit more relaxing.
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