Tips for Healthy Swimming in the Region's Natural Waterways

Tips for healthy swimming in the region’s natural waterways

Natural waters can be rivers, estuary, 4. Avoid swallowing water or oceans, lakes or reservoirs. It is important putting your head under water if to be aware of the health risks of swimming you are unsure about its quality in these waters over the summer period as If you swallow water that is polluted with bacteria or algae you increase your risk of getting ill. If you are they can be polluted with bacteria or algae. swimming near storm water drains, particularly during unsure about a particular waterway, do not put your or after rainfall events. head under water. You may end up swallowing water Follow the tips below to minimise the risks: Does the Shire test water for bacteria? and get sick. 1. Avoid swimming after heavy rainfall (more than Yes, during the swimming season (November to May) 10 millimetres) 5. Avoid swimming if you have an open wound or Environmental Health Officers from the Shire conduct infection After heavy rainfall, pollutants collect from our streets, water sampling on behalf of the Department of Health. gardens and farms and are washed into our oceans Do not go swimming if you have an open wound This monitoring checks for levels of bacteria including and rivers via storm water systems. or infection. If the water is polluted you risk further Enterococci and Escherichia coli. The sites that are infection to your wound. monitored are: This can increase levels of harmful bacteria in the water and make it unsafe for swimming, especially if 6. Don’t swim if you are ill • Flinders Bay near Redman Brook you put your head under water or if you swallow the If you swim when you are ill, you put yourself and • Hardy Inlet near Turner Caravan Park water. other swimmers health at risk. Do not swim if you • Hardy Inlet near storm water drains are ill, or for two weeks afterwards, particularly if you As a precaution people should avoid swimming within • Margaret River at the rivermouth 1 day after heavy rainfall in coastal waters and within 3 have gastroenteritis symptoms such as diarrhoea or • Margaret River at the canoe landing days after heavy rainfall in river, lake, dam or estuarine vomiting. systems. 7. Use of toilet facilities • Margaret River at the Rendall Close Weir 2. Do not swim in water that looks discoloured, Do not add to the risk. Use proper toilet facilities when • Margaret River at Barrett Weir murky, or smells unpleasant you are swimming. Young children need to be taken • Gracetown beach near the mouth of the creek Avoid swimming if you notice the water is murky, on regular toilet breaks so they do not use natural • Gnarabup beach near the boat ramp discoloured or smelly. This is a clear sign that the waters as a toilet. • Blackwood River near Alexandra Bridge campsite water may not be safe to swim in. 8. Avoid swimming in warm, slow moving, stagnant The beach grades for south west recreational water can be 3. Look for posted warning signs and follow the water or next to storm water drains viewed on the Department of Health website: http://ww2. advice on them Warm, slow moving, stagnant water is a sign you health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Beach-grades-for-South- Environmental Health Officers at the Shire will erect should not go swimming. These conditions can West-Recreational-Waters health warning signs to warn the public when they are promote the growth of algal blooms and amoebic For further information, please contact Environmental aware of high levels of bacteria in a water body. meningitis. Health Officers at the Shire on 9780 5255 or the Do not swim in the water if a health warning sign is Storm water runoff is one of the most common Environmental Health Directorate of the Department of posted. causes of water pollution. People should avoid Health on 9388 4999.