Beach water quality is 'best possible'

Water quality figures at Umina Beach and Ocean Beach are the best possible, despite "pollution is possible" ratings from the NSW Government's Beachwatch programe, according to Gosford Council chief Mr Paul Anderson.

"In Gosford Council's Beachwatch Program results, the two beaches received four-star ratings based on the specific samples taken by council in recent months.

"This is the best performance possible," he said.

Mr Anderson said there were no specific issues at the two beaches that were preventing them from having the status of "pollution unlikely".

"The current 'pollution is possible' status on the NSW Government's Beachwatch site is a result of some poor results in previous years, as well as large storm events," he said.

"The results published on the NSW Government's Beachwatch site are based on a collation of data collected over four years.

"Rainfall over this period has been diverse, beginning with sustained wet weather, then very dry conditions, before a return to wet weather, with several heavy rain events and severe thunderstorms.

"Fluctuations, in both sample results and weather, can impact on the rating."

He said dog poo bins had recently been installed along the leash-free part of Umina Beach as part of work undertaken by Gosford Council to improve water quality.

Due to the most recent East Coast Low pressure system and flooding, all Peninsula ocean swimming spots were given a Beachwatch "Alert" rating on Wednesday, January 6.

The alert means pollution is likely and swimming should be avoided and is based on rainfall data to predict the likelihood of bacterial contamination at beaches in the Central Coast region.

Umina Beach was also closed due to dangerous surf conditions.

The Beachwatch program is run by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, together with Gosford Council.

Sampling is undertaken by council officers on a routine basis, with data provided to the Office, and an annual report is prepared along with the daily pollution updates.

Swimming sites in NSW are graded as Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor or Very Poor, in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council's 2008 Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters.

These Beach Suitability Grades provide a long-term assessment of how suitable a beach is for swimming.

Media statement, 6 Jan 2016

Paul Anderson, Gosford Council

Website, 6 Jan 2016

Office of Environment and Heritage