Sewage leaks shut down Bronte and Redleaf beaches

Swimmers could not resist a dip at Double Bay this morning, despite human excrement polluting the water. Both the Murray Rose Pool at Redleaf Beach and Bronte Bogey Hole remain closed today after separate sewage spills yesterday.

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Swimmers could not resist a dip at Double Bay this morning, despite human excrement polluting the water.

Both the Bronte Bogey Hole and the Murray Rose Pool at Redleaf Beach in Double Bay remain closed today after separate sewage spills yesterday.

Clear warning signs didn’t stop children splashing around and playing on pontoons in the Murray Rose Pool or adults clad in wetsuits cutting laps.

Redleaf Beach is open today for sunbathers.

On advice from water experts, the Woollahra Council and Waverley Council will likely keep the water off limits until Tuesday.

Redleaf Beach is open for sunbathers but a sign on New South Head Road warns beachgoers not to swim at the beach.

A sign on New South Head Road warns beachgoers not to swim at Redleaf Beach in Double Bay.

Swimmers were ordered out of the water at the southern end of Bronte Beach at 3.15pm yesterday when sewage was detected in the water.

The sewage was found by Sydney Water at the Bronte Bogey Hole, which is a naturally forming rock pool popular with young children who can wade around without being battered by big waves.

Bronte Beach was busy yesterday, despite the southern end of the beach being closed because of sewage contamination. Picture: Damian Shaw

The rock pool at Bronte Beach was closed due to the sewage leak. Picture: Damian Shaw

Less than 100m away, scores of swimmers duck-dived between the flags oblivious to the water contamination.

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The Bronte contamination was caused by an overflowing sewer.

“A wastewater overflow has caused the southern part of Bronte Beach to be closed to swimmers this afternoon,” a Sydney Water spokesman said.

“Council lifeguards closed the southern section of the beach where the overflow was discharging into the rock pool.

“Sydney Water takes its responsibility to protect public health and the environment seriously. Investigations are continuing.”

There was a sewage leak at Redleaf Beach in Sydney's east yesterday. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Earlier in the afternoon, swimmers were ordered out of the water at a Double Bay harbour beach because sewage had been detected in the water.

Sydney Water workers told swimmers to get out of the Murray Rose Pool at Redleaf Beach in Double Bay shortly before 1pm.

Redleaf Beach was so packed at the time, council security had already closed the beach because it was at capacity per COVID-19 social distancing rules.

Beachgoers cleared out when they were told the water had sewage in it. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Sydney Water blamed the sewage leak on a clogged toilet in the shadow of the harbourfront Woollahra Council chambers.

“A blockage in a public toilet wastewater line operated by Woollahra Municipal Council caused a wastewater overflow this morning in Double Bay,” the spokesman said.

“It is understood council rangers closed Redleaf Beach and Murray Rose Pool and barricaded the toilet block.”

Woollahra Council has arranged for a plumber to check the toilet, but would not say when the beach would reopen.

A sign warned beachgoers the area ‘may be affected by sewage overflow’. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It comes after researchers on Friday revealed persistently poor water quality at nearby Rose Bay was the result of human faeces and dog poo.