Aussies have been urged to avoid dozens of beaches amid fears the water could be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
An infection isn’t the only risk at play in the affected waterways, as an academic warns that the stormwater pollution after a rainy week could also attract bull sharks.
Warnings have been issued for 56 beaches across Sydney that were deemed unsafe to swim on Friday by the state government’s water quality monitor Beachwatch NSW.
‘Some swim sites across the Sydney and Central Coast region may remain impacted by stormwater pollution ,’ the agency said.
‘Before you swim, check for signs of pollution.’
The agency also issued an alert to beachgoers informing them that pollution is likely at popular beaches in the habour including Tamarama, Bronte, and Queenscliff.
Popular swimming spots in Sydney’s south and in the northern beaches have also been affected, including the Brighton Le Sands Baths, Barrenjoey Beach and Umina Beach.
The alert has also been issued for several tourist hotspots as far as the Central Coast including The Entrance Channel and Hordens Beach, near Sutherland, in Sydney’s south.
Popular swimming spots in Sydney’s south and in the northern beaches have also been affected including the Brighton Le Sands Baths, Barrenjoey Beach and Umina Beach
Warnings have been issued for 56 beaches across Sydney that were deemed unsafe to swim on Friday by the state government’s water quality monitor Beachwatch NSW
Beachwatch is also understood to be testing water samples for dangerous bacteria such as E. coli.
The bacteria can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and a loss of appetite.
A NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water spokesman told Daily Mail Australia heavy rain impacts the water quality of waterways.
‘At beaches, people should avoid swimming during heavy rain and for at least one day after,’ the spokesman said.
‘At estuaries and inland waterways, avoid swimming for up to three days after heavy rain.’
Swimmers and visitors to the beach have been urged to check the Beachwatch website to ensure the conditions are appropriate before they venture into the water.
The warning comes after most of Australia’s east cost was drenched by intense rainfall and thunderstorms for most of this week.
Extensive rainfall is expected from Friday through to Sunday in Sydney and Canberra with a high chance of showers forecast for the weekend in Brisbane.
Beachwatch is also understood to be testing water samples for dangerous bacteria such as E.Coli, which can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and a loss of appetite (pictured Bondi Beach in Sydney)
Residents in Melbourne will also be hit by the wet weather on Sunday with tops of 28C forecast in the city.
A monsoon weather system is also set to develop over northern Australia by the end of next week, according to Weatherzone.
The system will increase the risk of heavy rain, thunderstorms and tropical cyclones.
Swimmers have also been urged to be cautious of bull sharks in addition to the polluted water in some waterways.
Bond University Professor Dr Daryl McPhee said the recent wet weather event has provided the creatures an ideal environment to search for food and nutrients.
‘In areas affected by rainfall you generally do see more bull sharks but there’s often a lag from when the rainfall occurs in a catchment, to when the bull sharks are more prevalent,’ Dr McPhee told Yahoo.
A bull shark was detected in Bondi on Thursday while a great white shark was seen by surf lifesavers at Crescent Head, on the NSW Mid North Coast, on Friday afternoon.
Authorities closed the beach and people were evacuated from the area.
Dr McPhee said pollutants in the water present a greater risk to swimmers than sharks.
