Tests reveal private properties may be contributing to Blackmans Bay beach pollution

Blackmans Bay south will not be able to reopen this summer — and tests have revealed likely contributors to the problem.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said likely contamination sources at the southern end of Blackmans Bay Beach had been identified. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

TESTING has revealed that wastewater from a number of private properties at the southern end of Blackmans Bay is likely to be contributing to pollution that has forced the closure of the popular beach this summer.

Council has confirmed that Blackmans Bay south will not be able to reopen open this summer season, following an abnormally high pollution reading in January and continuing poor results.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said likely contamination sources at the southern end of Blackmans Bay Beach had been identified, and it seemed private wastewater was contaminating stormwater.

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“We are working with property owners around the southern end of Blackmans Bay beach where likely breaches have been identified,” Councillor Winter said.

“To be blunt, waste from private properties that should be flowing into sewerage is contaminating stormwater infrastructure and it needs to be fixed as soon as possible,” he said.

“Stormwater quality monitoring will continue after these issues are addressed, in order to monitor results.”

Cr Winter said it seemed the source of the problem was external to the council’s stormwater drains.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter with a polluted water sign at Blackmans Bay Beach. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“It is important to note that while council is committed to reducing pollution from its stormwater, it has identified low correlation between readings from its stormwater outflows and readings from the beach itself,” he said.

“It appears likely that factors external to council’s stormwater infrastructure are impacting our water quality.

“Stormwater infrastructure is not always visible and we would like to take this opportunity to remind people to dial before you dig if building or landscaping, to protect infrastructure you may not see or know is there.

“Council and TasWater will continue to update the community on what the investigations find and how we are addressing the issues.

“We appreciate the patience and co-operation of the community while we carry out this work.”

While property owners can be fined for flouting sewerage infrastructure requirements, the council said it was seeking compliance and co-operation in the first instance.

Sign next to storm water drain at the southern end of Blackmans Bay beach. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

The council has been working with TasWater to look for enterococci and E.coli, as well as DNA testing of the bacteria.

Cr Winter said contamination sources had also been found at central Blackmans Bay Beach, but the issue had already being resolved.

“We are already seeing better results from this outflow,” he said.
A TasWater spokesman said the investigations were looking at a variety of factors that could be leading to the contamination, and DNA fingerprinting in January revealed that E.coli may be the result of seagulls in the area.

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“Council and TasWater will continue to update the community on what the investigation finds and the appropriate solutions,” he said.

The latest results from the Derwent Estuary Program’s Beach Watch report shows that Blackmans Bay south and Nutgrove Beach west are the only two rated as not safe for swimming.

Derwent Estuary Program chief executive Ursula Taylor reminded the public that water quality could deteriorate temporarily after rain.

“People should avoid swimming after 10mm of rain for a couple of days,” she said.