The Beach Watch Program is a collaboration between the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP), local councils and the Environmental Protection Authority through which water samples are collected from 38 sites throughout the Derwent estuary every Tuesday from the start of December to the end of March. This monitoring program has been running for over 25 years and is done to provide beach users with information on the quality of the water for swimming.
To inform beach users of the quality of the water for swimming, Council monitors 9 sites across 4 beaches in Kingborough.
During the summer months Council test at these swimming sites for enterococci which is an indicator of faecal contamination.
This monitoring schedule is part of a wider program run by the Derwent Estuary Program.
Each site is classified as having Good, Fair or Poor water quality in accordance with state and national guidelines, based on five years of data.
What the gradings mean:
- Good – Water quality is usually good for swimming.
- Fair – Water quality is usually fair for swimming, but occasionally requires re-testing.
- Poor – Swimming is not advised.
Following every summer swimming season, the sample results are added to previous results, and the results from five years of sampling are collectively used to calculate a new long-term rating by the Derwent Estuary Program. https://www.derwentestuary.org.au/beach-watch/
Council has the most recreational swimming sampling sites of any local government area in Tasmania. There are three main programs over the summer period, which have been running for over 20 years. Derwent Estruary Program – Beach Watch
Derwent Estuary Program
1. Derwent Estuary Program
- Weekly samples taken from December to March as part of the Derwent Estuary Program.
- The Program covers Taroona, Hinsby, Kingston Beach and Blackmans Bay beaches.
- Results are published on the Derwent Estuary Program website (external link).
Channel Program
- Monthly sampling from December to March for the Channel beaches.
- There is no history of poor water quality or identified issues at any of the beaches.
Bruny Island Program
- Sampled once every two months from December to March.
- There is no history of poor water quality or identified issues at any of the beaches.
Maps of Sample Sites
More information
If you would like more information, please contact our Environmental Health Officers on 6211 8200.