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Residents of coastal suburb north of Perth are concerned an algal bloom which has shut a popular beach could be the result of treated wastewater discharging into the ocean nearby.
Key points:
- Authorities say the bloom is linked to calm water conditions and hot weather
- They say its naturally occurring and not pollution
- But locals are worried about treated wastewater entering the ocean
Mullaloo Beach was closed on Wednesday due to the presence of trichodesmium, a blue-green algae that could pose a public health risk.
Authorities say the outbreak was likely triggered by calm water conditions and a heatwave that has affected Perth in the past few days.
WA's Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) said swimming in the contaminated water could pose a public health risk.
They said sample testing suggested the algae was naturally occurring and not pollution.
But longtime Mullaloo Surf Club member Kim Allen said locals had for some time been concerned about contamination from the nearby Beenyup wastewater treatment plant.
"It's very unusual to see a large outfall sewerage pipe servicing up to a million people over 500 square kilometres discharging into a marine park," he said.
"There is a national outfall database that indicates that this is one of the worst [locations] in Australia for nutrient load."
"It's almost a perfect storm where we have high nutrient levels, we have warmer water, and we have the buoyant plume coming to the surface… then with a northerly or north-westerly wind, it will then see this plume blown towards the beach."
Loading...Mr Allen said in his daily swims he would usually see the clear waters of Mullaloo teeming with herring and sand whiting.
But the fish had been usurped in recent days by thousands of blowfish, which Mr Allen said was a reliable predictor of an algal event.
While authorities have made no link between the algae and the Beenyup pipe — located 1.5km from Mullaloo beach — Mr Allen said community concerns needed to be taken seriously.
"I believe that it warrants [a parliamentary inquiry] because this is actually an infrastructure issue," he said.
"In 1988 a civil engineering report recommended the outfall be extended 5.8km offshore."
Mr Allen was part of a meeting on Tuesday involving DWER and Water Corporation, instigated by Hillarys state politician Caitlyn Collins.
Mr Allen said he remains angry and frustrated by the situation, but is hopeful a solution can be found.
'We highlighted the concerns we have and shared some ideas around solutions," he said.
"When the community makes these observations we, we just hope the agencies will listen to us."
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