Environmental variables and their association with faecal coliform and faecal streptococci densities at thirteen Sydney beaches

Environmental variables and their association with faecal coliform and streptococci densities were investigated at a number of Sydneyʹs metropolitan beaches. High variability in faecal coliform and faecal streptococci densities was observed at most beaches. The ability of the various models to explain the observed variation in faecal coliform or streptococci levels was relatively low, although they did provide an insight into the more influential environmental factors involved. Rainfall has the single most important effect on faecal coliform and streptococci densities at Sydney beaches. Whether this is due to increased stormwater runoff at the beaches, increased discharge through the outfalls (both the deepwater ocean outfalls and the few remaining shoreline outfalls), or a combination of both is unclear and is likely to depend on the individual beach being considered. Elevated levels of faecal coliforms and streptococci are still occasionally observed at some beaches, but these levels are usually not as high nor as frequent as they were prior to commissioning of the deepwater outfalls. The significant associations of current and plume entrapment with faecal coliform and streptococci densities at some Sydney beaches suggest that under certain conditions, effluent from the deepwater ocean outfalls can still influence faecal coliform and streptococci densities at these beaches.