Open AccessFaecal pollution of ocean swimming pools and stormwater outlets in eastern Sydney
Author(s) -
Butler Tony,
Ferson Mark J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-842x.1997.tb01756.x
Subject(s) - stormwater , pollution , environmental science , geography , fishery , surface runoff , ecology , biology
We determined the levels of faecal contamination over a three–year period from 1991 to 1993 at selected ocean swimming pools and stormwater outlets to assess whether these levels represented a threat to public health. Three popular ocean swimming pools and three nearby stormwater outlets located in Sydney's eastern suburbs were included in the analysis. The ocean swimming pools consistently had elevated levels of faecal coliform bacteria; the highest microbe levels were observed in a pool used largely by children. Faecal coliform bacteria counts in the ocean pools at times reach levels likely to be associated with illness in bathers. Stormwater outlets at three locations had reducing counts over the three–year period. An improved system of sampling, testing and risk communication appears to be needed to reduce potential health risks to users of these popular ocean pools. (Aust N Z J Public Health 1997; 21: 567–71)