December 1 - 31, 2024: Issue 637

Bayview Pollution runoff persists: Resident states raw sewerage is being washed into the estuary

A resident has written to the news service this week, along with sending in photographs a pollution problem that is persisting at Bayview and surrounds. 

In 2023 PON reported on Clay stormwater still polluting Bayview Golf Course, Pittwater estuary, as it had been since 2021.

Investigations focused on the Mona Vale road works, which had spilled sediment into a few local creeks during the duration of the build.

However, those works have been completed now and this week a resident who lives in Park Street, Mona Vale sent in images of what they have had to look at, they have stated, for the past 8 years. 

''In the past 12 months [....] released raw sewerage down these very stormwater drainage around Bayview Golf Course and into  Cahill Creek, into Pittwater itself.'' the resident has stated

They used dispersant into the Cahill creek itself. The Council deals with the stormwater drainage apparently, but it's on Bayview Golf Course property. The sewerage laden sediments, sand and debris clogged areas around beautiful Bayview Golf Course stormwater drainage system is completely useless. 

We are looking forward to the East Coast Low weather system on the upcoming high tides (and the) endangerment of the local community in the area.''

The resident has contacted the Environmental Protection Authority, Sydney Water, and the Council in regards to the Flood Plain Management. 

Nothing has been done or changed despite these reports. They have not been advised what the definite source of the raw sewerage is or what will be done to address the problem permanently.

On Thursday, 24 May 2018 the Northern Beaches Council announced it 'will push ahead with further water testing at Bayview Baths on Pittwater as a prelude to possible refurbishment.'

The statement went on to say:

'On Tuesday night, Council adopted a recommendation to participate in another round of water testing with Sydney Water and the Office of Environment and Heritage at the site in 2018/19. Should this testing prove successful, Council has resolved to work collaboratively with the community and funding agencies to secure grant funding for future refurbishment.' 

However, Bayview baths have always had problematic water quality readings since urbanisation, and continued over-the-top mass development in the vicinity leads to even more runoff into the bay - developments approved by the council.  

Bayview Baths again rated Poor in the most recent State of the Beaches report (2023-2024). This indicates its microbial water quality is susceptible to faecal pollution, particularly after rainfall and occasionally during dry weather conditions, with ''several potential sources of faecal contamination including stormwater and sewage overflows''.

A clean water reading should not be a precondition of whether or not a council should maintain the infrastructure of public baths or the public wharf alongside them though. 

Doing something to ensure the source of the 'faecal contamination' is identified at its source and stopping it from happening would be the step usually expected or required by any private citizen or government body. 

It would seem this Park street resident has identified one source of a polluting 'sewerage overflow' finding its way into the southern end of Pittwater, and around the corner into the baths area with each outgoing and incoming tide.

As water quality is an ongoing concern, the Sydney Water promised review and commitment to work with the Northern Beaches Council on any required remediation needs to be called out.

This could form the basis of feedback to the current IPART water prices review - if Pittwater residents are to pay millions more to fund new infrastructure and maintain Sydney Water assets - some of these long-promised upgrades for Bayview's surrounds should be counted among the figuring.

The 2024 (for 2025-2030) pricing proposal states in its opening pages Sydney Water's objectives are to:

  • protect public health
  • protect the environment
  • be a successful business.

Safe drinking water for Scotland Island residents, a safe sewerage system to prevent disease on the island too, and cleaner estuary waters for visitors and residents alike as a result, AND saving an estuarine based community are the markers of a successful business and epitomise Sydney Water's objectives.

Submissions close December 9.  The 2024 Pricing proposal - Sydney Water  Provide 'feedback' HERE

Background information in:

Bayview Public Wharf Gone; Public Baths not safe - Salt Pan Public Wharf Going - running this Issue

Scotland Island Dieback Accelerating: IPART Review of increases In Sydney Water's Pricing Proposals An Opportunity to ask: 'what happened to the 'Priority Sewerage Scheme' for our Island? - ran in the last Issue

The pictures are in two batches. The resident states the first shows the blockages and then the raw sewerage (photos dated November 17 and 27 2024).

November 17, 2024:

November 27, 2024:

The second batch show Bayview Golf Course stormwater drainage and a dispersant that has been applied into the system that then flows out into the estuary - these are from July 2nd, 2024: