Sanitary inspection surveys are undertaken by DHF Environmental Health officers to identify all potential sources of faecal pollution entering a catchment and assess likely impacts and overall risk to bathers.
As part of an assessment information on the following is collected:
- Type of water body, and the level of mixing that occurs
- Surrounding land cover including agricultural runoff
- Number of bathers and type of recreational activities performed
- Toilet facilities in the area, including sewered and non-sewered facilities
- Sewage outfalls and pump stations
- Stormwater discharges
- Septic tank systems
- Waste water reuse schemes
- Stormwater runoff after rainfall events
- Riverine discharges within 1 km, and stormwater/ sewage discharges to riverine system
- Boats and identification of any pump out facilities provided
- Wildlife i.e. aquatic bird density
- Domestic animals and their density on beaches, such as dogs being exercised and evidence of any defecating on beaches
- Agricultural animals
- Other factors that may have an impact.
Once all information has been collected, a health risk assessment is undertaken and an internal management report prepared. If potential risks to public health are identified, the report will recommend actions that could be taken to minimise them. Actions may include undertaking research, closing beaches, providing targeted warnings or taking legal action.
