This Beachwatch section briefly describes the main causes of beach pollution and some of the actions being taken by Government and the community to tackle the pollution problems. Links to the websites of other groups involved in water quality issues in NSW are also included.
Beach pollution is caused by a great range of activities in the coastal zone and inland.
In Sydney stormwater pollution is generated on the land and affects the beach as it reaches the sea. Other pollution such as sewage effluent is piped directly into the sea and may then be washed onshore by waves, currents and the tide. Compared to other countries, Australian beaches are generally in good shape. Beachwatch monitoring of coastal water quality over the last eight years reveals that most of Sydney's beaches are now safe for swimming most of the time. Beach pollution is worst after heavy rain because most pollution is caused by stormwater and sewer overflows .