Baby wipes behind sewage warning at Maroubra Beach
A homeowner has inadvertently shut down one of Sydney’s most treasured beaches by doing something we all do every single day: Flushing the toilet.
Southern Courier
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The water off one of Australia’s most famous beaches has been deemed too polluted to swim in.
There’s been no tanker spill.
Instead the warning is down to the humble baby wipe.
Surfers, swimmers and fishermen visiting Maroubra Beach are being warned to stay out of the water due to sewage contamination.
Signs have popped up along the beach warning visitors “this area may be affected by sewage overflow” and advising beachgoers to refrain from swimming and fishing.
As at Monday evening, Sydney Water confirmed the signs would remain on the beach until the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) could give the site the all clear.
A Sydney Water spokeswoman said the signs were first erected as a precaution following an incident on November 21 when a plumber found a “system choke”.
“We attended the same day and fixed a broken wastewater main,” she said.
“While we were reasonably confident we avoided an overflow to the environment, signage was erected as a precautionary measure.”
However, since then, a serious blockage had been located on a private property near Maroubra Beach with “sewage overflows” contaminating the stormwater system, which can flow into the ocean.
“We understand this private blockage relates to baby wipes in the pipes.
“Sydney Water takes this opportunity to remind customers to only flush the three Ps: poo, pee and paper.”
In September, Randwick Council had to close Frenchmans Bay Beach at La Perouse due to sewage overflow issues.