31 July 2001

There are currently two authoritative guidelines within Australia on the monitoring of recreational waters. These are the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water (1992) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Guidelines for Recreational use of Water (1990)

The Department had previously acknowledged the use of both guidelines due to their similarity. However increasing scientific evidence and direction of international bodies, such as the World Health Organisation, indicates the need to update this recommendation. The main difference between the two guidelines is that the ANZECC (1992) advocates the use of Enterocci in conjunction with faecal coliforms to die off before some pathogens and for Enterococci to survive for an extended period within marine waters and therefore provide a better indication of potential health risks.

In keeping with international thinking, the Department endorses the use of the ANZECC (1992) guidelines, provided that the suggested sampling frequency in Note 2 of the NHMRC (1992) guidelines, provided that the suggested sampling frequency in Note 2 of the NHMRC (1990) guidelines is adopted. Note 2 recommends sampling for microorganisms in a designated recreational area should be conducted where and when swimmers are present. Samples should be taken at the beginning of the swimming season and thereafter a single sample taken weekly throughout the season or when conditions change, or wherever a heavy pollution is suspected.

In addition the Department wishes to remind people that swimming at beaches within 24 hours of heavy rain, and at estuaries or rivers within three days of heavy rain should be avoided because of increased pollutants within the waterways.

The World Health Organisation's review of recreational water quality criteria and guidelines is currently under way, as is the review of the ANZECC guidelines for recreational waters. At the conclusion of these processes a review of the Departments policy will be carried out.

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