About microbial water quality 

Swimmers who swallow water contaminated by faecal pollution may become ill. E. coli and enterococci are bacteria found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. They are a useful indicator of faecal contamination from sewage or animal manure in water bodies.  Their numbers often increase quickly after heavy rainfall due to runoff and flooding, but then decrease quickly if periods of dry weather follow.

Monitoring water quality is a shared responsibility 

In Victoria, monitoring the microbial water quality in popular spots where people swim, boat and fish is a shared responsibility.

There's no single authority in charge of monitoring or managing the sources that cause water quality issues.

If there's a popular spot for water activities, the relevant land manager may decide to do risk assessments and see if monitoring is needed. If they find a source of faecal pollution, they'll target key stakeholders that need to get involved and address the problem. For example, if the issue is from leaking or faulty septic tanks, the council would handle it. If it's a sewer leak from a sewage treatment plant, the water authority would step in. If pollution is from a business, EPA would be the lead.

EPA’s role in recreational water quality   

EPA is Victoria’s environmental regulator. We work to prevent and reduce the risk from pollution and waste to:

  • human health
  • environment.

EPA's role in recreational water quality is to:

  • set standards
  • publish data
  • provide technical advice
  • regulate businesses and industry.

Setting and reviewing standards for recreational water quality

EPA reviews and sets standards for recreational water quality. We do this through the Environment Reference Standard (ERS),in line with National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines for Managing Risks to Recreational Water.

Beach Report in Port Phillip Bay and Yarra Watch in Greater Melbourne

EPA coordinates Beach Report and works with Melbourne Water to deliver Yarra Watch. These programs monitor microbial water quality. We share this information with the community so everyone can make smart choices about swimming. Our water quality updates cover:

  • 36 beaches in Port Phillip Bay 
  • 4 spots along the Yarra River 

We give updates twice a day, all year round.  Find more details on Beach Report. We report annually on long-term microbial water quality. This informs long-term water quality management.

General advice and support to land managers with recreational waters

EPA technical experts can provide advice on:

  • application of ERS to recreational waters
  • monitoring and assessment of recreational waters
  • methods for understanding pollution sources to recreational waters
  • potential health risk and advice to the community.

EPA authorised officers can:

  • respond to pollution incidents and emergencies
  • conduct activities to ensure sites are compliant with their license conditions
  • provide advice to business and industry on their environmental obligations
  • ensure compliance with the Environment Protection Act 2017.

Regulation of business and industries that could pollute recreational waters

EPA issues permissions to businesses and industries to do certain activities. These permissions set environmental standards that must be met to reduce the risks to human health and the environment. Sewage or contaminated water can be a big problem if not handled right. Sites managing this waste need an EPA permission, especially if they are near waterways.

EPA ensures these businesses:

  • have the right infrastructure 
  • have the right processes in place 
  • conduct regular compliance checks. 

If we find any issues, we can take regulatory action.

Recreational water quality during emergencies

As a supporting agency, EPA gives technical advice during and after emergencies to:

  • government
  • industry
  • the community. 

To help with the environmental and public health impacts of pollution and waste, we use our expertise in:

  • science 
  • engineering 
  • regulation. 

This includes checking microbial water quality in recreational waters affected by emergencies like:

  • floods 
  • bushfires.

See EPA’s response to 2022 floods for more information.

Get in touch 

For more information, contact EPA at:

 

Reviewed 15 January 2025