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• Results for city bathing beaches as at 17 June 2009

Beach	Water quality results (MPN/100ml)
St Clair	<10	Safe to swim.
Middle		Swimming not recommended. This is not a patrolled beach.
St Kilda	<10	Safe to swim
Water quality results for Blackhead
Date tested	Water quality results (MPN/100ml)
14 May 2009	<10	Safe to boardride

Recommendations explained

Safe to swim

The latest test results show that water quality results comply with MfE guidelines.

Swimming not recommended

The latest test results exceed maximum MfE guidelines. A health risk may exist. Warning signs are displayed by us and will only be withdrawn when subsequent test results have dropped to acceptable guideline levels.

MfE guidelines for beach water tests

The guidelines were established to set up national consistency in recreational water quality and public awareness of when there may be a health risk.

The main guideline indicates that beach water should not exceed 280 enterococci per 100mls of sea water in a single sample. If the level of enterococci in a single sample is above 280 per 100mls, the water may not be safe for swimming. (By comparison, raw sewage has millions of enterococci per 100mls).

It is preferable to have less than 140 enterococci per single sample. A single sample above the guideline limits does not prove that your health is at risk. There are many factors, such as heavy rain, dogs, birds or even seaweed that can affect a single sample. However MfE guidelines recommend that when levels of enterococci exceed limits in the water, recreational activities should not occur.

Water quality results date

We use the previous days results as testing the seawater takes 24 hours and the results are ready the following morning.

Reasons for testing

To ensure that our most popular bathing beaches meet national guidelines and to recognise changes to water quality along our coastline.

What are Enterococci

They are a bacteria that occur in the gut of humans, birds and other warm blooded animals. When found in beach water it may indicate the presence of faecal material. Enterococci testing is a measurement of beach water quality.

Testing is carried out monthly between April and October and weekly between November through to March. Council also tests daily during December and January.

The results available on our website are updated daily, weekly and monthly depending on the time of the year.

Water quality signs on beaches

There are two types of signs that may be displayed, these are located at St Kilda and Middle beaches, and each end of the St Clair Esplanade.