Beachwatch

Overview

Each week during the summer season our water quality is monitored at selected Shoalhaven locations.

The star rating categories come from the microbial (microorganisms characteristics - will it cause disease) assessment categories used in the National Health & Medical Research Council (2008) Guidelines.

Water quality monitoring

Council’s Environmental Health Officers undertake weekly water quality monitoring during the summer months as part of the Beachwatch Partnership Program.

The program is a collaboration between the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and local Councils throughout NSW, providing the community with accurate information on the recreational swimming sites for cleanliness and suitability for swimming.

Ten beaches are sampled as part of the program, stretching from Shoalhaven Heads in the North to Merry Beach in the South.

For a list of current and previous water quality ratings, please view our most recent quality ratings.

State of the Beaches Report

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment releases a yearly 'State of the Beaches Report', which can be found on their website.

View Beachwatch Publications

Most recent quality ratings

Explanation of ratings

*CFU = Colony Forming Units

Previous recordings

General advice for swimming after rain events

General precautions for swimming at beaches in the Shoalhaven region after heavy rain:

• avoid swimming during heavy rain and at least one day after heavy rain at ocean beaches
• avoid swimming for at least three days at lakes, estuaries and creeks
• avoid swimming near storm water drains or sewage outfalls
• avoid swimming if you see signs of pollution such as discoloured water, oil or scum on the water, and litter or other debris floating in the water or on the tide line

Get more information

• South Coast beaches weekly star rating

What you can do to improve water quality