Overview
- The annual Beachwatch/State of the Beaches assessment graded microbial water quality at 249 NSW swimming sites using enterococci testing.
- Northern Beaches and the Sutherland Shire recorded the most 'very good' ratings, with top performers including Whale, Avalon, Palm, Bilgola, Bungan, Greenhills, Wanda, Shelly, Elouera and North Cronulla.
- Only two Sydney sites were rated 'very poor' for water quality: Foreshores Beach near the airport and Gymea Bay baths in Port Hacking.
- Several metropolitan spots were graded 'poor', including Coogee, Malabar, Little Bay, Shelly Beach at Manly, Rose Bay Beach and the Murray Rose Pool, while Bronte improved to 'good' and Maroubra and South Curl Curl achieved 'very good'.
- Lakes, lagoons and rivers generally fared worse than surf beaches, and authorities urge swimmers to check the Beachwatch website for real-time pollution updates, especially after rain.