Authorities advise against swimming in Sydney Harbour after floods

The wild storms across NSW this month have turned much of Sydney’s water brown - and now authorities are advising people to stay away.

The impact of the wild storms that lashed NSW for much of this week has been made obvious, as the sun begins to shine again.

Much of Sydney’s water has turned a deep brown as mud and soil from flooded regions washes into the waterways and harbour.

Passengers on a flight coming in to Sydney yesterday noticed the stark difference from the city’s usually glistening blue harbour.

This is Sydney Harbour this afternoon. Other passengers and I pretty taken aback. pic.twitter.com/gHt2sp6ay4

— Carly Waters (@_carlywaters) March 9, 2022

The stormwater run-off also has a number of hidden nasties lurking in it, with plenty of sewage, fertilisers and debris floating in the water.

Beachwatch NSW, a government body that monitors the state’s beach water quality, issued a warning this week about the potential issues.

Authorities advise waiting until the water is completely clear before going swimming at any beaches but considering how substantial this flooding event has been, swimmers are recommended to wait at least a week.

Field officers are out sampling Sydney's Northern Beaches today. Despite the sunny weather, there are still lingering impacts of stormwater pollution following the storms.
âš  Avoid swimming if there are signs of pollution like discoloured water, odours, litter & debris. pic.twitter.com/N3Fo7J3qaS

— Beachwatch NSW (@BeachwatchNSW) March 10, 2022

While most of Sydney’s northern beaches region performed reasonably well on its five-star rating index, with almost all receiving four stars for water quality, the city beaches did not fare as well.

Bondi Beach, the closest and busiest beach of Sydney city, scored a measly three stars thanks to stormwater run-off.

Tamarama was the worst hit - earning only a one star rating today thanks to its narrow shape and run-off.

Bronte, Clovelly, Gordon’s Bay and South Maroubra all also were hit with three star ratings.

Sydney Harbour beaches have also been heavily impacted by the floods.

What Sydney Harbour is supposed to look like. Picture: Destination NSW

Chinamans Beach, Balmoral Baths, Hayes St Beach, Cabarita Beach, Chiswick Baths and Dawn Fraser Pool were all given one star ratings today.

A three star, or “fair” rating means bacterial levels indicate an increased risk of illness to bathers, particularly those with lower immune function such as the elderly and young children.

A two or one star rating, listed as “poor” or “bad” on Beachwatch NSW, means bacterial levels indicate a substantially increased risk of illness to bathers.

NSW suffered through its worst floods in history this month, with thousands of people displaced from their homes in the north of the state and the east coast low also triggered devastating flooding events along much of NSW’s coast.