By Molly Magennis
Beaches in Port Phillip Bay have been ranked from best to worst according to their water quality, with Altona Beach ranking lower than it did last year.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s (EPA) 2021/22 summer Beach Report ranks the water quality of 36 bay beaches and four popular swimming spots along the Yarra from December to Labour Day each summer.
EPA has four categories in which it ranks bay beaches: Good, Fair, Poor and Illegal.
When categorised as Good, the water is safe for swimming, while Fair indicates that the water may be affected by pollution and is not suitable to swim in.
Over the 2021-2022 summer at Altona Beach, 66 percent of days were found to be ‘Good’, ranking the beach at number 27. This is a fall from last year’s ranking of 25 out of 36.
Williamstown fared similarly to last year’s summer, ranking 12 on the list compared to 13. Over the course of three months, most days recorded ‘Good’ forecasts (72 per cent).
The beaches at Portsea and the Mt Martha Life Saving Club took out the top spot (80 percent), while St Kilda rounded out the list at number 36 (59 per cent).
According to the EPA, stormwater pollution after rain from large drains and rivers nearby was the most common cause of ‘Fair’ and ‘Poor’ forecasts issued over the summer.
“Heavy rain after dry weather can carry a large amount of pollution washed from surrounding areas into stormwater drains and waterways, including the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay,” said EPA water program coordinator Darren Cottam.
“High bacterial levels can cause stomach upsets, and vulnerable groups including children, the elderly and people with vulnerable immune systems are more likely to become ill, or get more severe illness from water-borne pathogens.
EPA’s water quality SMS alerts were sent to 15,000 people who registered via the website this year, with the service to continue during the upcoming summer.
