The 2026 long-term water quality ratings have been released for greater Hobart’s beaches and bays.
The Derwent Estuary Program’s CEO, Ursula Taylor shared the news, which revealed some improvements at popular beaches, but also some water quality decline at others.
“There are 38 beaches and bays tested each week between New Norfolk and Kingborough between December and March,” Ms Taylor said.
“Water samples are analysed for specific bacteria (enterococci) which indicate the presence of contaminants from stormwater run-off and other sources. Each site is classified as having Good, Fair or Poor water quality in accordance with state and national guidelines, based on five years of data,” explained Ms Taylor.
“This season we saw some results that indicate there is more work to do in managing water quality, with several changes to long-term ratings:
• Blackmans Bay north – Fair to Good
• Blackmans Bay mid – Fair to Poor
• Windermere Beach – Good to Fair
• Bellerive Beach west – Good to Fair
• Little Howrah beach – Good to Fair.
Of the 19 swimming sites monitored in Hobart, 17 are suitable for swimming, which is a good outcome for a capital city.
“To support swimmers, the DEP provides daily forecasts on the Beach Watch website, giving swimmers real-time updates on expected water quality, recent rainfall impacts, and any pollution events or advisories.
“Over summer Beach Watch gives people the most up-to-date information, including at beaches with a Poor long-term rating, so they can plan their swim with confidence.”
“Water quality at Blackmans Bay beach is still variable highlighting the challenging and long-term nature of managing pollution reaching our beaches.”
Acting Mayor Christian Street said Council has issued a no-swim advisory for the middle section of Blackmans Bay beach.
“While water quality in the southern half of Blackmans Bay beach is often suitable for swimming, the beach grading system requires a section to be downgraded once five poor results are recorded within a five-year period,” Cr Street said.
“This new water quality downgrade extends the current no swim advisory in the southern end of the bay further north to an area of the beach roughly in line with the playground.
“We can confirm the northern half of Blackmans Bay Beach is rated Good and remains safe for swimming.
“We know the community expects answers on this issue, which is why Council has spent years investigating the problem, collected hundreds of water samples, engaged independent specialists and traced contamination through the stormwater system.
“What we’ve found is that the relationship between stormwater contamination and beach water quality is not always straightforward.
“Identifying exactly where contamination enters the system is complicated by the scale of the catchment and the thousands of properties connected to it.
“At Blackmans Bay Beach we have four stormwater outfalls, three of which are located at the southern end of the beach where the issue persists.
“Those three outfalls collect stormwater from more than 3,000 properties and around 20 kilometres of roads, carrying whatever has been washed from roofs, driveways, roads and footpaths through 75km of pipes into the southern end of the bay.
“Complicating the issue further, the shape of the bay means water is not flushing out as quickly as many other beaches in the Derwent, allowing contaminants to remain near the southern shoreline in the shallow water for longer.
“It’s understandable that people ask whether the answer is simply to move stormwater discharge further offshore or treat it before it reaches the beach.
“While both options warrant consideration, each comes with significant challenges in terms of cost, and the lack of physical space to treat stormwater such as through a constructed wetland.
“While unfortunately there are no quick or simple solutions to improve the water quality at the beach, Council remains committed to working with TasWater and the Derwent Estuary Program to pursue practical improvements and improve water quality over time.
“Council will continue to collaborate with key partners, including the Derwent Estuary Program and TasWater, to assess and improve the condition of local sewer and stormwater infrastructure.”
Fran Smith, Head of Water and Environment Services at TasWater said the cooperative approach to managing stormwater is still the best option for improving water quality.
“Working with councils to continue to remove stormwater from our network and also continue our investments in our sewage infrastructure is a priority for TasWater.
“Equally important is that the community do their part to lessen the risk of blocked sewer systems that ultimately lead to sewerage entering the stormwater pipes or spills flowing directly to the beach. This means, we remind people to only flush the 3Ps – Pee, Poo and Paper.
“Every time one of these issues is fixed, the impact on waterways is lessened. But some water quality ratings still need improving and we take a methodical approach to finding the source of contamination through regular CCTV investigations and a renewal program for aging sewer pipes,” said Ms Smith.
Ms Taylor said the continued focus on a collaborative approach to monitoring, analysing and managing water quality is welcome.
“This is the very ethos of the DEP,” she explained.
“The Beach Watch Program is a cooperative effort that extends over 26 years between six local councils, the EPA Tasmania, Department of Health and ourselves, to inform our community about the beach water quality.
“We continue to work inclusively to develop strong partnerships and provide scientific information to inform how we can enhance and protect the health of the Derwent.”
For more information on the Blackmans Bay Beach Recreational Water Quality
The 2025-26 Recreational Water Quality Report can be found on the DEP website, publications page https://www.derwentestuary.org.au/publications/