Pollution Levels on Sydney Beaches
Worse than the Ganges? Yeah, I reckon that might be stretching it, James. Still, Sydney is prone to filthy water and nearly always after rain. After a period of heavy showers the stormwater system gets inundated and the Sewerage Treatment Plants can't handle the volume. I know at Cronulla STP they've got an overflow pond in the dunes just near the new Greenhills housing subdivision. Not sure about the other STP's (North Head, Bondi, Maroubra). Once the overflow pond is full then raw sewage flows into the ocean.
As for the lagoons - Manly, Curly, Dee Why, Narra - I imagine they are reliant on upstream conditions. Not sure why you'd be able to smell shit at the entrance to Dee Why lagoon though.
Beachwatch has daily details on the beach pollution: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beachapp/default.aspx
stu, maybe you could get some photos? don't forget the crucial placement of the ke11y posters and roxy stickers.
Got nought to do with me Sid. Take that fight somewhere else.
Sidthefish, standing up for the poor global surf industries again, hop on your jet ski and keep riding out to sea mate.
WTF the ocean is polluted, maybe a giant dirty overpopulated city run off may have something to do with it
DY lagoon has been a stinking toxic cess pit for as long as I can remember. I think it is the result of run off from the old industrial area out the back that drained into it and never was cleaned up and has settled. Every time it rains it stirs it up hence the racid smell.
fitz/BB, don't be ridiculous, it's the Surf Industry's FAULT.
its hardly surprising at sydney is a dump to begin with
pollution level is increasing in sydney due to climate change and global warming.
Dee Why lagoon has been polluted for as long as I can remember and I used to live in the area. I think it is the result of run off from the old industrial area out the back that drained into it and never was cleaned up and has settled. Also the run off from the current residential areas that surround it today. It is a serious issue.
btw: I do have a degree in coastal geographical management strategies.
Dee Why lagoon may be polluted but it is of lesser concern than Curl Curl. That lagoon is surrounded on both sides by an old landfill site that served the Brookvale industrial area during the 1960s. There was no control on what was dumped there. Large quantities of leachate run into the lagoon with every decent fall of rain. I am amazed, not only that people let their dogs swim in it but that people actually try to ride the (rather pathetic) standing wave that forms when it runs out. " Hey let's go play in some really toxic shit and see if we glow in the dark later!"
Lawsy, I think your mate Hadsey was taking advantage of you. Probably not the first time either I suspect, and I doubt, definitely not the last.
All waterways and drains that lead to the ocean will have a level of pollution, depending on the location, city or regional. But the Ganges? No. Travel more Lawsy.
I think blindboy is more on the money re Curl Curl lagoon / Glendale Creek catchment area, ran through the industrial area of Brookvale. No where near as an industrial area as it once was, but add in the old landfill site from the 1930s to 1950s, it is/was a much bigger issue than Dee Why lagoon that was feed by South Creek, a very small industrial area.
A bigger concern would be Botany Bay/Georges River/Prospect Creek area, and Sydney Harbour / Parramatta River catchment area (especially west of Concord Road) that had very heavy industry in the past.
But the quality of the water at beaches in Sydney has improved significantly over the years for a range of reasons, speak to the old timers who use to swim on Sydney beaches with clumps of poo and dunny paper before improvements to the ocean outfalls.
If your concerned, check the Beachwatch website.
Just as concerning is the water quality in regional areas, especially after flooding upstream, where pesticides and animal waste hit the creeks and rivers then head out to sea. I was chatting once with a country GP from the mid north coast and she said the increase in patients in her coastal practice post an upstream flooding was common and she wouldn't let her kids in the ocean for about a week after the flood water had left the coast.
lmfao, Sydney surfers are so uptight.
Gold Coast [BEACH CLOSURE]
Coolangatta Creek is off limits due to PFAS runoff from GC Airport
Moreton Bay was recently prohibited due to PFAS run off from Brisbane Airport
Air corporations & Australian Defense continue to wage Chemical Warfare on our nation.
Over 70 townsites are in lockdown. Clean drinking water is running low.
North Korea a non chemical warfare signatory is offering a kinder solution.
Kirra [BEACH CLOSURE] @ Coolangatta Creek
World Surf Reserve [CLOSED]
North Kirra is most certainly on WSR Map.
Similar Airline PAFS contamination of Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Compensated the local commercial fishermen just for dipping a rod.
Compensation must equally apply to local commercial WSR operators soaking in it.
David and Goliath test case for fellow Swellnetonian/ WSR chair AndyM.
As media barons bungle you into corporate limo don't forget you owe us a Swellnet Scoop.
Hey All,
I went for a paddle with a mate the other day at Longreef near Dee Why and he told me quite casually that the water in Dee Why lagoon is more polluted than the Ganges river in india... You know the one with all the human waste and worse in it...
It had been raining heavy that day as it has been in Sydney and when we walked past where the lagoon met the ocean there was a distinct smell of sh!t....
Anyone know how bad it is really or do I not want to know?
Cheers
James