Research and Monitoring Programs: Recreational Water Classification
Based on the level of treatment provided at the Eastern Treatment Plant and the outfall type, the assessment of potential sources of contamination results in a risk potential of 'very low'.
Based on this risk potential the Recreational Water Classifications for various microbial assessment categories (based on Enterococci 95th percentiles) are:
| Microbial Assessment Category (Enterococci 95th percentile - organisms per 100ml) | Recreational Water Classification |
|---|---|
| 0-200 | Very good |
| 201-500 | Follow up |
| Greater than 500 | Follow up |
For each of the last five years the Recreational Water Classification has been 'very good' for all the beach and surf zone sites, because bathing and surfing water 95th percentiles have fallen into the '0-200' Microbial Assessment Categories.
Recreational Water Classification Results
Swim and surf zone sampling sites 2008-2009
Click here to see 2000-2001 to 2007-2008 results
| 2008-2009 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Site | 95%ile Enterococci /100ml | NHMRC Recreational Water Classification |
| Swim | ||
| 1 | 482 | FOLLOW UP |
| 2 | 4 | VERY GOOD |
| 3 | 14 | VERY GOOD |
| 4 | 0 | VERY GOOD |
| 5 | 13 | VERY GOOD |
| 6 | 3 | VERY GOOD |
| Surf 400m | ||
| 8X | 2 | VERY GOOD |
| 9X | 2 | VERY GOOD |
| 10X | 4 | VERY GOOD |
| 11X | 2 | VERY GOOD |
| 12X | 4 | VERY GOOD |
| 13X | 2 | VERY GOOD |
| Surf 800m | ||
| 8 | 3 | VERY GOOD |
| 9 | 2 | VERY GOOD |
| 10 | 2 | VERY GOOD |
| 11 | 2 | VERY GOOD |
| 12 | 6 | VERY GOOD |
| 13 | 7 | VERY GOOD |
The raw data for this period is available here:
2008-2009 additional monitoring raw data (PDF, 62kb)
* There are many statistical methods for calculating the microbial risk category. To date we have used the Excel Percentile method, however other methods are currently being investigated for use in future assessments.
More information:
For more information on our environmental performance reporting, see our 2008-2009 Sustainability Report.
For more information on South East Water’s monitoring program at its treatment plants at Mt Martha, Boneo and Somers see South East Water's website for more information.
Downloads
- 2004-2005 NHMRC Enterococci Raw Data (PDF, 554kb)
- 2005-2006 NHMRC Enterococci Raw Data (PDF, 33kb)
- 2006-2007 NHMRC Enterococci Raw Data (PDF, 511kb)
- 2007-2008 NHMRC Enterococci Raw Data (PDF, 37kb)
- 2008-2009 NHMRC Enterococci Raw Data (PDF, 62kb)
You will need Adobe Acrobat to access the above PDF documents. 