Summer kicks off the Beach Watch Program in collaboration with the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP).
Kingborough Mayor, Paula Wriedt said to make sure everyone could view the long-term, weekly, and daily updates on their favourite beaches Council monitored 9 sites across 4 beaches in Kingborough.
“During the summer months Council’s Environmental Health Officers are out and about sampling our popular beaches for enterococci, which is an indicator of faecal contamination, and the results are provided on DEP’s website,” Cr Wriedt said.
“This coming season will also see the continuation of the DEP’s daily forecast for the Beach Watch swimming sites. Daily predictions of the water contaminated by sewage and other pollutants at the sites published on the Beach Watch website.
“Forecast information will include updates about sewage spills, rain events and other sudden changes that may impact water quality at our beaches.
“Kingborough has several beautiful beaches the public can swim at this summer.
“Weekly water sample results and the DEP forecasting tool provides the community with additional information when deciding where and when they swim on any given day.
“Water quality results from 2023-24 had mixed results. However, the good news for Kingston is that Taroona Beach and northern end of Blackmans Bay beach have received a ‘good’ rating.
“Unfortunately, this year we have had to downgrade the southern end of Blackmans Bay beach to poor as part of the Beach Watch Program.
“Council is continuing to work closely with TasWater on the source of the Blackmans Bay beach south contamination as we know that this is an issue that concerns residents.
“You can find out more about Blackmans Bay beach south and what we are doing here: Beach Watch Program
“Here are some of the things you can do to help keep our beaches safe and clean
- Ensuring that no contaminants enter the stormwater system.
- Avoiding flushing inappropriate items that could cause blockages and sewer spills.
- Reporting water leaks and sewer spills to TasWater at 136 992.
- Notifying authorities if water is observed flowing over roads or walkways during dry weather.
Weekly water quality test results will be available on the Derwent Estuary Program’s Beach Watch website throughout the summer and can be viewed here www.derwentestuary.org.au for more information about Kingborough’s program please see: Beach Watch Program