The sudden change to cooler, wetter conditions means that water quality in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay maybe varied for Christmas.
With uncertain conditions heading into Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, EPA Victoria's Chief Environmental Scientist, Professor Mark Taylor, says it's important to check water quality at your beach before you swim.
"Water quality is always affected by the rain and we saw quite a bit around overnight Sunday. If conditions remain the same, despite the expected return to higher temperatures on Christmas and Boxing Days, some beaches might not have fully recovered," said Professor Taylor
The best thing to do to avoid a Christmas skin rash or even gastro, is to check the EPA Beach Report, if you're already at the beach check the water; is it discoloured? Is there an odour to it? Are you near a drain or a creek or river mouth and how long has it been since heavy rain? It might take 48 hours after rain for the water to clear. A bit of commonsense will keep you safe.
"The first two weeks of December saw some beaches with water quality below the safe swim standard. With the current forecast, it looks like Boxing Day will be the better bet for a trip to some Melbourne beaches, but there's a reasonable chance at least some will still be good for Christmas Day."
Professor Taylor explained that after heavy rain, pollutants wash from Melbourne's streets and footpaths through the stormwater drain system to our creeks and waterways, ultimately ending up in the bay. Water pollution after rain might aggravate skin conditions or even cause gastro. Given time, it dilutes and water quality improves.
"And let's do our bit to keep the water clean. Whatever you take down to the beach; sunscreen, sunhats, beach umbrellas, drink bottles, food packaging and the like, take it home with you and we can all enjoy our magnificent bay beaches this summer," said Professor Taylor
A quick look at the EPA Beach Report webpage (https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/summer-water-quality/beach-report) will provide you with information to help keep you safe.
EPA Beach Report will be available twice a day over the summer and you can sign up for SMS alerts on your favourite bay beach.
