Blue Mountains Recreational Water Quality Report

Blue Mountains Recreational Water

Quality Report

2016

Blue Mountains Recreational Water Quality Report - 2016

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Report Compiled by Cecil Ellis ~ Nature Navigation Pty Ltd

a: PO Box 23 Avalon Beach NSW 2107 e: [email protected] For technical information about this report contact: Healthy Waterways Team, Blue Mountains City Council 2-6 Civic Place, Katoomba NSW 2780 (02) 4780 5000 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/ Non site specific elements of this report have been adapted from State of the Beaches 2014–2015 - Summary and How to Read this Report accessed from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/beach/ar1415/FB1-summary-how-to-read.pdf [accessed 15/12/16]

http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/beach/ar1415/FB1-summary-how-to-read.pdf


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Recreational Water Quality Monitoring in the Blue Mountains Recreational water quality is monitored by Blue Mountains City Council’s Healthy Waterways team, using the NSW Government’s Beachwatch methodology. The program aims to provide the community with accurate information on the cleanliness of the water and to enable individuals to make informed decisions about the risks associated with water based recreation. Routine assessment also measures the impact of pollution sources, enables the effectiveness of stormwater and wastewater management practices to be assessed and highlights areas where further work is needed. Sampled sites in the Blue Mountains are graded as Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor or Very Poor in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council’s 2008 Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters. These grades provide a long-term assessment of how suitable a location is for swimming and other water based recreational activities. The grades are determined from the most recent water quality results, up to five years’ worth of data, and a risk assessment of potential pollution sources. A guide on to how to read This report is provided on pages 7-9

Rainfall Impacts Rainfall is the major driver of pollution to recreational waters, generating stormwater runoff and heightening the risk of discharges from the wastewater (sewage) treatment and transport systems. Changes in rainfall patterns are reflected in water quality over time due to variation in the frequency and extent of stormwater and wastewater inputs. The Recreational Water Quality Grades for 2015–2016 are based on water quality data collected over the last five years. Rainfall over this period has been diverse, beginning with sustained wet weather conditions and flooding in many areas along the NSW coast, and ending with well-below average rainfall across the state and a lack of significant rainfall events:

2011–2012: ninth-wettest summer on record

2012–2013: high levels of rainfall recorded in many areas

2013–2014: driest summer in almost 30 years

2014-2015: third warmest spring on record and a dry summer.

2015-2016: East coast low saw very high rainfall in June

Health risks Contamination of recreational waters with faecal material from animal and human sources can pose significant health problems to swimmers owing to the presence of pathogens (disease-causing micro-organisms) in the faecal material. The most common groups of pathogens found in recreational swimming waters are bacteria, protozoans and viruses. Exposure to contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach-ache, nausea, headache and fever. Eye, ear, skin and upper respiratory tract infections can also be contracted when pathogens come into contact with small breaks and tears in the skin or ruptures of the delicate membranes in the ear or nose. Certain groups of users may be more vulnerable to the threat of microbial infection than others. Children, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems and tourists are generally most at risk.


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Overall Results for 2015–2016 Of the 6 sites monitored, one site, Wentworth Falls Lake Beach site, is graded as good. All other sites are graded as Poor or Very Poor, indicating that they were not suitable for swimming for most or almost all of the time. These sites are susceptible to pollution, particularly after rainfall and occasionally during dry weather conditions. Swimming should be avoided during and for up to three days following rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater pollution such as discoloured water or floating debris.

Running Water Sites In general, the running water sites monitored in the Blue Mountains in NSW exhibit poor water quality with all sites graded as Poor or Very Poor. This indicates that they were not suitable for swimming for most or almost all of the time. The impacts of rainfall are significant at running water sites with stormwater pollution and/ or agricultural runoff increasing. Two running water sites are monitored:

Megalong Creek

Yosemite Creek at Minnehaha Falls

As a general precaution, swimming at running water sites should be avoided during and for up to three days after rainfall, or if there are signs of stormwater pollution such as discoloured water or floating debris.

Lake/ Lagoon Sites Wentworth Falls Lake, Beach site is graded as good, which is likely, due to improved stormwater management in the catchment. The other the lake/lagoon sites monitored in the Blue Mountains in NSW exhibit poor water quality, with all sites graded as Poor. This indicates that they were not suitable for swimming for most or almost all the time. Some improvement in the microbial assessment categories has been observed as Blue Mountains City Council makes improvements to stormwater management. Four lake/ lagoon sites are monitored:

Wentworth Falls Lake - Jetty

Wentworth Falls Lake - Beach

Glenbrook Lagoon – Boat Ramp

Glenbrook Lagoon – Beach As a general precaution, swimming at lake and lagoon sites should be avoided during and for up to three days after rainfall, or if there are signs of stormwater pollution such as discoloured water or floating debris.


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Sampling sites monitored under Blue Mountains Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program


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Site Suitability Grades for Blue Mountains

Site Location Site Type Sanitary

Inspection Category

Microbial Assessment

Category

Location Suitability

Grade

Megalong Creek Running Water Moderate Category D

Yosemite Creek Minnehaha Falls

Running Water High Category D

Wentworth Falls Lake Jetty

Lake/ Lagoon Moderate Category D

Wentworth Falls Lake Beach

Lake/ Lagoon Moderate Category B

Glenbrook Lagoon Boat Ramp


Glenbrook Lagoon Beach


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Beach Suitability Grades for all NSW

North Coast Site type

Sanitary Inspection Category


Category

Beach Suitability

Grade

Ballina Shire Council

Seven Mile Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Lake Ainsworth East Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C

Lake Ainsworth South Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B

Lake Ainsworth West Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C

Shelly Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B

Shaws Bay East Estuarine Moderate Category B

Shaws Bay West Estuarine Moderate Category C

Shaws Bay North Estuarine Moderate Category C

The Serpentine Estuarine Moderate Category B

Lighthouse Beach Ocean beach Low Category B

Richmond Valley Council

Airforce Beach Ocean beach Low Category B

Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Shark Bay Ocean beach Low Category A

Evans River Estuarine Moderate Category B

Kempsey Shire Council

Grassy Head Ocean beach Low Category A

Stuarts Point Estuarine Moderate Category C

Back Creek Estuarine Moderate Category D

Horseshoe Bay Ocean beach Low Category B

Trial Bay Ocean beach Low Category B

Saltwater Creek Estuarine Moderate Category D

Hat Head Beach Ocean beach Low Category B

Korogoro Creek Estuarine Moderate Category C

Killick Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C

Killick Creek Estuarine Moderate Category C

P

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Very Good VG G Good F Fair P Poor Very Poor VP

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Illawarra Site type



Category

Beach Suitability

Grade

Wollongong City Council

Stanwell Park Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Coledale Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Austinmer Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Thirroul Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A

Bulli Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A

Woonona Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Bellambi Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A

Corrimal Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B

North Wollongong Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A

Wollongong City Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Coniston Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Fishermans Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Port Kembla Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A

Shellharbour City Council

Entrance Lagoon Beach Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C

Warilla Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Shellharbour Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Kiama Municipal Council

Boyds Jones Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Bombo Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A

Surf Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B

Werri Beach Ocean beach Low Category A

Seven Mile Beach Gerroa Ocean beach Low Category A

VG

VG

VG

G

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Site Suitability GradesSite Suitability Grades provide an assessment of the suitability of a location for water-based recreation over time and are calculated using a combination of sanitary inspection (identification and rating of potential pollution sources at a site) and microbial assessment (water quality measurements gathered over previous years). There are five grades ranging from Very Good to Very Poor:

Location has generally excellent microbial water quality and very few potential sources of faecal pollution. Water is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time.

Location has generally good microbial water quality and water is considered suitable for swimming most of the time. Swimming should be avoided during and following heavy rain for up to three days.

Microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming, but because of the presence of significant sources of faecal contamination, extra care should be taken to avoid swimming during and for up to three days following rainfall or if there are signs of pollution such as discoloured water or odour or debris in the water.

Location is susceptible to faecal pollution and microbial water quality is not always suitable for swimming. During dry weather conditions, ensure that the swimming location is free of signs of pollution, such as discoloured water, odour or debris in the water, and avoid swimming at all times during and for up to three days following rainfall.

Location is very susceptible to faecal pollution and microbial water quality may often be unsuitable for swimming. It is generally recommended to avoid swimming at these sites. Some of the Site Suitability Grades in this report are provisional, as the information required for the analysis is incomplete due to limited bacterial data or limited information on potential pollution sources in a catchment.

The guidelines The National Health and Medical Research Council’s Guidelines for managing risks in recreational water1were adopted for use in NSW in May 2009. These guidelines have been adopted in all Australian states and territories and are supported by guidance notes developed by the Department of Health Western Australia2. 1NHMRC (2008). Guidelines for managing risks in recreational water. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, ACT. 2Department of Health, Western Australia (2007) Microbial water quality of recreational water guidance notes in support of chapter 5 of the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for managing risks in recreational water, 2006. Department of Health, Western Australia and The University of Western Australia, October 2007. [Available at www.public.health.wa.gov.au/3/1287/2/publications.pm. Accessed on 24/11/15]

Enterococci The national guidelines advocate the use of enterococci as the single preferred faecal indicator in marine waters. These bacteria are excreted in faeces and are rarely present in unpolluted waters. Enterococci have shown a clear dose–response relationship to disease outcomes in marine waters in the northern hemisphere. In accordance with the guidelines, Council tests for enterococci only. The enterococci density in water samples are analysed in a National Association of Testing Authorities approved laboratory using method AS/NZS 4276.9:20073.

Enterococci are measured in colony forming units per 100 mL of sample (cfu/100mL). 3AS/NZS 4276.9:2007. Water microbiology Method 9: Enterococci – Membrane filtration method (ISO 7899-2:2000, MOD). Standards Australia International Ltd, Sydney and Standards New Zealand, Wellington.


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Site Suitability Grades are determined by using the following matrix:

Microbial Assessment Category

A B C D


Very Low Very Good

Very Good Follow Up Follow Up

Low Very Good

Good Follow Up Follow Up

Moderate Good Good Poor Poor

High Good Fair Poor Very Poor

Very High Follow Up Fair Poor Very Poor

Microbial Assessment Category (MAC) There are four Microbial Assessment Categories (A to D) and these are determined from the 95th percentile of an enterococci dataset of at least 100 data points. Each MAC is associated with a risk of illness determined from epidemiological studies. The risks of illness shown below are not those associated with a single data point but are the overall risk of illness associated with an enterococci dataset with that 95th percentile4.

Category Enterococci (cfu/100mL) Illness Risk*

A 40 GI illness risk: <1% AFR illness risk: <0.3%

B 41- 200 GI illness risk: <1–5% AFR illness risk: <0.3–1.9%

C 201 - 500 GI illness risk: <5–10% AFR illness risk: <1.9–3.9%

D >500 GI illness risk: >10% AFR illness risk: >3.9%

*GI = gastrointestinal; AFR = acute fever and rash

Sanitary Inspection Category (SIC) The aim of a sanitary inspection is to identify all sources of faecal contamination that could affect a swimming location and assess the risk to public health posed by these sources. It is an assessment of the likelihood of bacterial contamination from identified pollution sources and should, to some degree, correlate with the bacterial water quality results obtained from sampling. Through the sanitary inspection process5, sites are categorised to reflect the likelihood of faecal contamination. There are five categories: Very Low, Low, Moderate, High and Very High. 4 Wyer, MD, Kay, D, Fleisher, JM, Salmon, RL, Jones F, Godfree, AF, Jackson G and Rogers, A (1999). ‘An experimental health related

classification for marine waters’. Water Research 33(3):715–722. 5 Office of Environment and Heritage 2013, Sanitary Inspections, Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney, NSW, viewed 10 June 2014,

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach/sanitaryinspections.htm.

Calculating the MAC The 95th percentile is a useful statistic for summarising the distribution of enterococci data at a site. It embodies elements of both the location of the distribution (how high/low the enterococci counts are) and the scale of the distribution (how variable the enterococci counts are).

The 95th percentile values for each of the four Microbial Assessment Categories were determined by the World Health Organization using enterococci data collected from swimming locations across Europe. These values will represent different probabilities of illness if the distribution of enterococci data from swimming locations in NSW differs from the European distribution.

In recognition of this issue, Dr Richard Lugg (Department of Health, Western Australia) has developed a Microsoft® Excel tool for calculating a modified 95th percentile that takes into account the distribution of data. This tool has been used to calculate the 95th percentile values presented in this report and has been adopted for use by other state governments in Australia.

The tool can be downloaded from: www.public.health.wa.gov.au/3/1287/2/publications.pm under Forms and Templates [accessed 24/11/15]

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach/sanitaryinspections.htm


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Explanation of graphs and charts on site pages

Microbial Assessment Category (MAC) chart On each site page, the MACs for the period 2015-16 are displayed on a simple bar chart. The bar is labelled with the 95th percentile value for each rainfall category and the thresholds dividing the A, B, C and D categories are marked for reference. The number at the bottom of the bar reflects the number of samples for each rainfall category.

Sanitary Inspection Category (SIC) chart The results of the sanitary inspection for each location are presented as a vertical bar. The graphic shows the likelihood that each identified pollution source will contribute to faecal contamination at a site, as indicated by colour and text of the components of the bar, with the overall likelihood, or Sanitary Inspection Category listed, floating, at the top of the bar.

Bather Shedding Very Low

Toilet Facilities Moderate

Designated Sewage Overflows

Very Low

Sewer Chokes and Leakages

Low

Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems

Very Low

Stormwater Low

Animals High

Historical enterococci data graphs

Trends in enterococci levels through time are presented for each site as a bar graph. Each year’s bar is colour coded to show the percentage of enterococci results less than 40 cfu/100 mL, between 41 and 200 cfu/100 mL, between 201 and 500 cfu/100 mL and greater than 500 cfu/100 mL. These categories reflect the Microbial Assessment Category thresholds and are coloured on the graph by dark green, light green, amber and red respectively. The number at the bottom of the bar reflects the number of samples for each calendar year.

MODERATE


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Megalong Creek

Swimming Suitability Grade:

Megalong Creek is located on Megalong Valley Road, via Blackheath in the upper Blue Mountains. The creek passes through bush and agricultural land before running into the Cox’s River and eventually into Lake Burragorang, Sydney’s main water supply. Sampling took place at the Old Ford Reserve, which is frequented by campers and picnickers. The site frequently fails to comply with guidelines for swimming, likely because of faecal contamination from native and agricultural animals in the catchment.

Sanitary Inspection Grade

Bather Shedding Very Low

Toilet Facilities Moderate


Very Low


Low


Very Low

Stormwater Low

Animals High

MODERATE

POOR


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Minnehaha Falls & Yosemite Creek


These sites are located on Yosemite Creek in North Katoomba. Yosemite Creek runs through bushland reserve that supports Blue Mountains Swamps and native bushland. The catchment is significantly urbanised and includes the Katoomba Waste Management Facility.

Upstream of the sampling sites is a Sydney Water sewage pumping station and designated overflow structure. If either of these structures release sewage, it will directly affect the site and swimming should be avoided if discoloured water or floating debris are present.

The Yosemite site is located near the start of the walking track, around 600m upstream of Minnehaha Falls, which has been replaced by the pool at the base of Minnehaha Falls in the 2015-16 swimming season.

Minnehaha Falls has recovered from sedimentation of the bottom pool since mid 2014 and is now a recognised swimming location. Minnehaha Falls sampling data has been combined with previous Yosemite Creek data until five years of Minnehaha data available


Bather Shedding Moderate


Low


Moderate


Very Low

Stormwater Moderate

Animals Moderate

HIGH

VERY POOR


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Wentworth Falls Lake – Jetty


This site is accessed via Sinclair Crescent on the southern side of Wentworth Falls Lake.

The Lake was formed by the damming of Jamison Creek. It is a very popular location for picnicking and water-based recreation including boating, fishing and swimming. Swimming is not recommended for 3 days after rainfall, due to raised enterococci levels from faecal contamination.

The site frequently fails to comply with guidelines for swimming, likely as a result of stormwater pollution and faecal contamination from native and domestic animals in the catchment, including a large population of waterfowl.

Wentworth Falls Lake flows into Sydney’s drinking water supply, through Jamison Creek.


Bather Shedding Low

Toilet Facilities Very Low


Low


Moderate


Very Low

Stormwater Low

Animals High

MODERATE

POOR


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Wentworth Falls Lake - Beach


This site is accessed via Pine Avenue, on the northern side of Wentworth Falls Lake.

The Lake was formed by the damming of Jamison Creek. It is a very popular location for picnicking and water-based recreation including boating, fishing and swimming.

The site has generally good microbial water quality and is considered suitable for swimming most of the time. Swimming should be avoided during and for 3 days after rainfall

Wentworth Falls Lake flows into Sydney’s drinking water supply, through Jamison Creek.


Bather Shedding Low

Toilet Facilities Low


Low


Low


Very Low

Stormwater Low

Animals High

MODERATE

GOOD


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Glenbrook Lagoon – Ramp


Glenbrook Lagoon receives stormwater from a highly urbanised sub-catchment.

This site, known as the ‘Boat Ramp’ is located off Skarratt Ave on the southern bank of the lagoon.

In the past the lagoon was a popular venue for many types of water-based recreation including swimming, boating and fishing, however, the lagoon is now polluted to a point that makes it frequently unsafe for these activities.

In 2014/15 Blue Mountains City Council installed a series of stormwater treatment systems around the lagoon to improve water quality entering Glenbrook Lagoon. Preliminary monitoring results show these systems are effectively reducing bacterial levels of the stormwater entering the lagoon.


Bather Shedding Low


Low


Low

Stormwater Moderate

Animals High

MODERATE

POOR


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Glenbrook Lagoon – Beach


Glenbrook Lagoon receives stormwater from a highly urbanised sub-catchment.

This site, known as the ‘Beach’ is located off Glenbrook Road and is on the northern bank of the lagoon.

In the past the lagoon was a popular venue for many types of water-based recreation including swimming, boating and fishing, however, the lagoon is now polluted to a point that makes it frequently unsafe for these activities.

In 2014/15 Blue Mountains City Council installed a series of stormwater treatment systems around the lagoon to improve water quality entering Glenbrook Lagoon. Preliminary monitoring results show these systems are effectively reducing bacterial levels of the stormwater entering the lagoon.


Bather Shedding Low


Low


Low

Stormwater Moderate

Animals High

MODERATE

POOR


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Conclusion During the 2015-16 summer, Blue Mountains City Council monitored enterococci at 6 sites:

Megalong Creek, Megalong

Minnehaha Falls and Yosemite Creek, Katoomba (combined)

Wentworth Falls Lake – Jetty

Wentworth Falls Lake – Beach

Glenbrook Lagoon – Ramp

Glenbrook Lagoon – Beach

Wentworth Falls Lake Beach site is graded as having a GOOD Swimming suitability grade.

Other sites were graded as having Poor or Very Poor recreational water quality, indicating

that these locations were not suitable for swimming for most or almost all of the time.

All sites are susceptible to pollution, particularly during rainfall and occasionally during dry

weather. Swimming should be avoided during and for up to three days following rainfall, or

if there are signs of stormwater pollution such as discoloured water or floating debris.

The Swimming Suitability Grades in this report are provisional, as the information required

for the analysis is incomplete due to limited bacterial data. This will improve with ongoing

sampling through future swimming seasons, improving the confidence in the Swimming

Suitability Grades through time.

Blue Mountains Recreational Water Quality Report

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