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Beach Water Quality
Beach Water Quality at Darwin Harbour beaches is monitored by the Department of Land Resource Management (DLRM) as part of the integrated Darwin Harbour Monitoring Program.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advocate the use of enterococci bacteria as the indicator organism for assessing the risks of microbiological contamination in recreational water. Epidemiological studies have shown a clear relationship between concentrations of this indicator organism and the level of illness in swimmers in marine waters. Swimming in contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis or other conditions which affect the eyes, ears, skin and respiratory tract.
The Chief Health Officer of the Northern Territory has adopted these NHMRC Guidelines under the Public and Environmental Health Act. See the Water Quality page for further details.
- Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water 2008
- Water Quality Guidelines FAQ (Adobe PDF document - 33KB)
The results of the testing by DLRM are provided to the Department of Health for assessment. Actions may include the issuing of precautionary advice against entering the water at certain beaches, e.g. "Swimming not recommended", and these notifications will be published on the table below.
Stinger Season Warning (1 October - 31 May)
During Stinger Season, which officially runs from 1 October until 1 June annually, the Department of Health strongly advise people not to enter the water because of the high danger risk from jellyfish (stingers) in the water.
The presence of stingers is influenced by humidity and temperatures, especially the water temperature. During this season there is a higher risk of stingers being present in the shallows of Darwin beaches.
Status of Beaches
The Department of Health advises the following status of Darwin Harbour beaches:
| Beaches | Status |
|---|---|
| Casuarina Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Cullen Bay Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| East Point Reserve | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Lameroo Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Lee Point Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Mandorah Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Mindil Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Mindil Beach (Little) | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Nightcliff Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Rapid Creek Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING (Follow up testing) |
| Vesteys Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
| Wagait Beach | OPEN FOR SWIMMING |
Test Results Data
NOTE: Test results received outside business hours will be uploaded the next working day.
The Department of Health test results data:
| Description | Report | Date Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Test result data 2013 | as at 18 Jun 13 | |
| Test result data 2012 | Beach Water Quality 2012 (Adobe PDF document - 49KB) | as at 1 Oct 12 |
| Test result data 2011 | Beach Water Quality 2011 (Adobe PDF document - 24KB) | as at 10 Jan 12 |
| Test result data 2010 | Beach Water Quality 2010 (Adobe PDF document - 27KB) | as at 11 May 11 |
| Deep Water test result data | Beach Water Quality (Surf Life Saving) | as at 1 Oct 10 |
| Sample sites map | as at 27 Aug 10 |
Other Useful Information
- Department of Land Resource Management / Water Resources
- Stinger Season Fact Sheet
- Stinger Fact Sheet
- Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water 2008
- Nuisance Algal Blooms (Adobe PDF document - 813KB)