McCrae residents kick up stink after toxic outflow at beach sparks E coli scare

Dangerous levels of the E coli bacteria were found in waste water that pools near an outlet on a popular Mornington Peninsula beach.

The pool of dirty water that flows from the drain outlet at McCrae beach.

Dangerous levels of the E coli bacteria were found in drainwater that pools near an outlet on a popular Mornington Peninsula beach.

The toxic pond was identified as having four times the acceptable levels of E coli – commonly found in human faeces – as well as a high content of ammonia and phosphorus.

A report by Melbourne Water, seen by the Herald Sun, found the dangerously high readings at the Waterfall Creek outlet onto McCrae Beach on July 26.

The testing was done in response to residents who said dirty, smelly water was commonplace.

The water company did not alert residents or the EPA about the toxic results, but considered the incident as a one-off occurrence and that E coli levels had since returned to normal levels.

The report, reviewed by “senior water quality scientists” found that the likely source of the pollutants was from upstream, via leaking septic tanks or sewer drains or illegal connections into the drainage system.

The pool of dirty smelly water at the drain outlet on McCrae Beach which was found to have four times the acceptable levels of the dangerous bacteria E coli in July.

The water pools on the beach but after heavy rain, such as last week, it washes into the bay. Some residents who swim in the bay have reported skin irritations and sickness after taking a dip.

The Melbourne Water report, conducted with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and South East Water, assessed samples taken on July 23.

Subsequent tests in September and October also showed elevated results at the test sites.

Resident spokesman Peter Clarke said the community expected better from the water authorities, council and the state government.

“There are people here who have had terrible skin conditions.

“It’s no longer acceptable for this level of pollution to be entering the bay or pooling on the beach.

A film of scum often appears on the water that pools on McCrae Beach.

“It’s been there for decades and the community has had enough.’’

Melbourne University urban water expert Associate Professor Meenakshi Arora said the test readings were high and that it needed further monitoring.

“Anyone swimming in or ingesting that water they can get really sick,’’ Assoc Prof Arora.

The high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus could also lead to algal blooms, she said.

Further testing of the water at 15 locations has taken place over five months in the Waterfall Creek catchment, including the McCrae beach outlet.

The drain water flowed into the bay at McCrae Beach after days of rain.

A Melbourne Water spokesperson said no ongoing pollution issue was found.

“The only potential pollutant identified was E coli, which is commonly present in urban stormwater, and all recent testing indicates levels are within the safe range for recreational contact.

“At this particular location, pooling water at the stormwater outlet can take on a dark appearance from contact with tannins in vegetation local to the McCrae/Waterfall Creek catchment, which can be mistaken for pollution.’’

The outlet from Waterfall Creek at McCrae can clearly be seen on Google Maps.

The drain was inspected often and rubbish was removed from the outlet, the spokesperson said.

An EPA spokesman said the authority regularly tested water quality at 36 beach locations around the bay to provide current and forecast information for bay users.

“Testing at the Rosebud LSC which is approximately 350m from the McCrae outlet, does not show a water quality issue in July.

“However, pollution can be very localised and may not have been detectable from that distance.’’

The EPA said it would liaise with the water companies and the council to assess any problems.