09 June 2010
The precautionary advice against swimming at East Point Beach, Vesteys Beach and Mindil Beach was extended to Nightcliff Beach today following the detection of high levels of the E.coli bacteria in sea water sampling results received late today.
The Department of Health and Families today confirmed as a precautionary measure that the Nightcliff Beach will remain closed to swimming and fishing until further notice. DHF will work with other Northern Territory Government agencies to further monitor sea water quality around the city's beaches.
Additional water sampling undertaken by DHF yesterday was confirmed today with the presence of high counts of E.coli. Every effort will be undertaken to isolate the source or sources of the contamination.
The Department's Director of Environmental Health, Xavier Schobben, said further tests would be analysed locally and sent interstate tomorrow for more specific analysis.
"Should the results indicate a low risk to human health, then the beaches may be in a position to be opened to swimming in due course," Mr Schobben said.
"We are also continuing to obtain advice from water quality experts around the country who have agreed that the anomalous results received are an unusual event and more likely to be environmentally-related, rather then as a matter of faecal pollution."
Anyone who has seawater quality concerns can contact DHF Environmental Health hotline during business hours on toll free 1800 095 646 or mobile 0401 116 460.
Media inquiries: Dale Webster 0401 116 203
