The Andrews Labor Government is giving locals and visitors more information about water quality at popular swimming spots across the state.
Victoria’s annual beach reporting season started today, which will see water quality information displayed on signs at 28 Life Saving Victoria clubs around the bay, such as Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) will be out in Port Phillip Bay again monitoring water quality at 36 beaches and four popular Yarra River locations in Kew, Warrandyte, Healesville and Launching Place.
The program provides the community with up-to-date information on water quality during busy beach periods from now until the Labour Day weekend in 2018.
It allows people to plan before going to the beach and gives them peace of mind that the water is safe to swim in.
This summer, the EPA has launched two videos to help promote the Beach Report service – one explains the causes of water pollution and the other shows what water quality ratings mean.
EPA’s forecasts predict water quality based on the latest weather conditions, water quality history, recent bacterial sampling results and pollution reports.
Last summer’s beach rankings show that Eastern Beach, The Dell, Portarlington, St Leonards, Portsea, Blairgowrie, Sorrento, Santa Casa, Dromana and Rosebud beaches offered the best recreational water quality in the Bay.
Beachgoers are encouraged to check the latest forecasts over summer by following EPA Victoria on Twitter or by checking , which was viewed more than 700,000 times last summer.
Victorians can also sign up online to receive SMS alerts when water quality at their local beach is rated poor.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“As Victorians and visitors flock to water this summer, we’re helping them choose the best places to swim.”
“This is about safety and wellbeing – making sure people have up-to-date information to make the right choices around our beaches, waterways and catchments.”
Quote attributable to Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan
“With temperatures set to heat up, this program is a valuable tool to help you and your family keep healthy and safe at our beaches this summer.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020