Beach Short-term Water Quality Information

Band 2 (Elevated)

(200 < EC ≤ 500)
Caution Advised
For Primary Contact
Activities2

Children, the elderly, and immunocompromised3 beach users
should reduce* primary contact activities2
Band 3 (High)

(EC > 500 OR two consecutive weeks of 200 < EC ≤ 500)
Primary Contact Activities2
Not Advised
All beachgoers should minimise* primary contact activities2

*Reduce – Do less; Minimise – Do as little as possible

*Reduce – Do less; Minimise – Do as little as possible

Regardless of the water quality, beach users are advised to avoid entering the water immediately after heavy rainfall. Beach users with open sores, skin infections, or who are unwell are also advised to refrain from water activities.

1 Enterococcus (EC) levels for each band are as follows: Band 1 – EC ≤ 200; Band 2 – 200 < EC ≤ 500; Band 3 – EC > 500 or 2 consecutive weeks of 200 < EC ≤ 500. EC levels for the bandings are based on the WHO guidelines for safe recreational use.

2 Primary contact activities are those where
(a) the whole body or the face and trunk are frequently immersed and
(b) it is likely that some water will be swallowed. Examples of primary contact activities include swimming, skiing, wakeboarding, diving, windsurfing, kite surfing, jet skiing and water immersion training (such as capsize training for kayaking and canoeing).

3 Immunocompromised beachgoers refer to those who have weakened immune systems.