Too much ** floating in the water by the looks of it.......
EPA Victoria's water quality testing has shown Unacceptable water quality due to elevated bacterial levels at Altona beach. As a result of these levels, EPA advises against swimming at this beach until further notice.
Thursday 10 February 2011http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/beachreport/
Its not just Altona:
PA Victoria's water quality testing has shown Unacceptable water quality due to elevated bacterial levels at Carrum, Aspendale North, Mordialloc, Mentone, St Kilda, Middle Park, Port Melbourne, Altona and Werribee South beaches. As a result of these levels, EPA advises against swimming at these beaches until further notice. EPA Victoria's Beach Report bacterial water quality forecast is either good or fair for all other monitored beaches.
I'm pretty desperate for a kite, so think I'll risk the bay this evening. I figure ear plugs will be a good investment. Any other pro tips on the best way to stay healthy (keep my mouth shut!).
Well, water conditions (bugs) in the entire bay don't sound too good. You would be OK until you got a mouthful, or possibly even a sip.
Kited Point Danger for the first time last weekend. Great spot and clean water.
Some photos are here: www.peterskiteboarding.com/2011/02/point-danger-torquay-waves-in-building.html
Wondering why it was so bad ?
Oh, just a little byline, Melbourne Water dumped heaps of sewerage through the drain system into the bay. Don't worry too much about it though 
.
www.theage.com.au/environment/sustainability/sewage-released-into-citys-waterways-20110214-1atnj.html
This is pretty appalling. Glad I wasn't kiting the **
thats fkn gross, think i'll be heading down the coast for the rest of this summer!
.
.
Its a disgrace. Melbourne Water almost completely silent on the topic now says "sewage would have been greatly diluted" - BUT it all ended up in the Bay, and the EPA had no specific item on their website about it either.
Good on the Clean Ocean Foundation for shining a light on this stinking mess.
More details on this failure of responsibility by those who should no better www.peterskiteboarding.com/2011/02/port-phillip-bay-was-full-of-poo.html
Son of a crap! A week and a half since my last session where I was finally able to stay upwind, we finally get some kiteable wind this afternoon and now there is too much poo in the bay! Now that the beach water quality reports are done for the summer, anyone know of anybody doing any testing with this most recent sewage release?
I'm guessing it won't be safe for at least a couple of days. Anyone else hazard a guess?
As far as I know, the EPA site stopped testing mid march and won't start up again until next summer. I hope I'm wrong on that one; anyone else know?
I guess if you are out and see some floaters its time to come in.
This is a disgrace. Melbourne Water's assurances about dilution are patent nonsense. It certainly doesn't apply to drinking water!
A bad dose of gastro is very unpleasant.
Looks like this could be continuous throughout winter if we keep getting these downpoors
Might have to venture out of the bay more often although not too many coastal areas suit a Northerly...
It's going to be a very wet winter by the looks of it. If EPA aren't doing anymore testing over winter how do I know when it's safe to head out? Tomorrow might be alright, but I'm sure water quality would be pretty **** at the moment...
