Beach Care

Throughout summer, help keep our beaches clean — at home, on the street and at the beach:

  • Put litter in the bin
  • Pick-up dog droppings
  • Report sewer spills and blockages
  • Regularly maintain septic tanks
  • Avoid washing oil, paint, detergents and grass clippings down stormwater drains.


What can you do?

The stormwater system is designed to take rainwater from our streets and guttering into the closest waterway. Rain carries street litter, dog droppings, cigarette butts, leaf litter, oil and silt to our beaches. After heavy rain, pollution can increase levels of harmful bacteria in our beach water.

You can do something about it at home, on the street and at the beach.

  • Litter that is carelessly dropped on our streets is often washed into the stormwater system and ends up on our beaches and in our rivers. Some beachgoers leave cigarette butts, plastic items, bottles, food and fishing scraps behind them.

  • Cleaning cars in the street, oil spills on roads and run-off from building sites can also contribute to the pollution of local waterways and the beach.

  • After heavy rain, excess flows are sometimes diverted from sewers into the stormwater system or natural waterways. Mechanical faults can also allow untreated sewage into the stormwater system. EPA advises the beachgoing public immediately it is aware of such an event.

  • The vast majority of sewage is moved and treated without ill effects by the various water companies around Port Phillip Bay. However, some individuals break the law by making illegal sewage connections that cause beach pollution. If you know someone who is breaking the law, please inform your local water company or EPA immediately on 1300 EPA VIC.

More information on reporting litterers is at litter campaign and reporting litterers

More information on stormwater pollution is available including tips for keeping waterways clean

Last updated 25 November 2011