Bacteriological analysis of Beachwatch programs water samples. During the summer season (October to April) each site is monitored approximately once every six days. At ocean beaches 6-day sampling continues year round. At harbour beaches, 6-day sampling is limited to the summer season, with monthly surveillance sampling undertaken during the winter period. Samples are analysed for enterococci. Some programs have varied since program was established. The annual State of the Beaches report details the analysis of the data. Approximately 130 swimming locations are monitored in the Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra regions, with a further 150 sites monitored in partnership with local councils along the NSW coast.

Data Source:
  • SEED
Data and Resources
Additional Information
Field Value
Title Beachwatch Bacteriological Database
Date Published 06/09/2018
Last Updated 23/10/2025
Publisher/Agency NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Licence Creative Commons Attribution
Update Frequency unknown
Temporal Coverage From 01/03/1989
Geospatial Coverage
Data Portal SEED