Petrie Island BeachWhat Are The Concerns With Beach Water?

Beach water is not pristine and its quality can fluctuate due to contamination from numerous sources, e.g. sewage, storm water, agricultural runoff, faulty septic tanks, the atmosphere and bacteria from pet and wildlife waste. All of these sources of contamination can accumulate and result in too many nutrients in the water, which can encourage eutrophication and the growth of toxic blooms. To make matters worse, beach water quality is typically poorer in the summer when warm weather escalates bacterial growth, and swimmers stir up any pollutants that have settled at the lake bottom.

What Is Escherichia coli (E. coli)?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium which is naturally present in human and animal intestines and plays an important role in the process of digestion. However, some forms of E. coli can cause severe forms of diarrhoea that can lead to kidney failure and death. Untreated sewage is a common source of E. coli contamination.

How Does E. coli Enter Our Water?
E. coli

What are Algal Blooms?

In the warm summer months lakes may suddenly appear to have a lumpy material on the Algal Bloomsurface which is blue-green, bright blue, grey or tan in colour, this is evidence of algal growth. When conditions are favourable algae can grow rapidly forming a large, soupy mass called a bloom.