Go to whole of WA Government Search
Home Beach grades for Great Southern Recreational Waters

Beach grades for Great Southern Recreational Waters

As part of the microbiological water quality monitoring program for recreational/ environmental waters within the Great Southern region, several local government authorities, and also the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (Albany branch) participate in the microbiological water quality monitoring of popular swimming/recreational beaches and environmental waters.

Map – WA Beach Grades – Interactive

Click on the square white icon in the top left of the map to select and deselect specific areas.

Beach grade risk classification legend

The table below summarises various beach grade risk classifications. Read more detailed information about these classifications.

Table: Beach grade classification legend
Paddle design Summary

Paddle with letter ‘P’ in middle indicates provisional classification of ‘good’

Good: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality appears to be safe for swimming most of the time.

Orange paddle with letter ‘P’ in middle indicates provisional classification of ‘fair’

Fair: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality appears to be fair (variable) at this location.

Red paddle with letter ‘P’ in middle indicates provisional classification of ‘poor’.

 Poor: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality often appears to be unsatisfactory for swimming.

Two tone paddle, with left half green and right half orange, indicates bacterial water quality results to date are good, but primarily animal pollutant sources may elevate bacterial levels following rainfall

 MAC: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality appears to be safe for swimming most of the time.

 paddle, with left half green and right half red, indicates bacterial water quality results to date are good, but animal and stormwater contamination sources are likely to elevate bacterial levels to high levels following rainfall.

MAC: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality appears to be safe for swimming most of the time.

Two tone paddle, with left half orange and right half green, indicates bacterial water quality to date is variable, but few contamination sources have been identified

 MAC: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality appears to be fair (variable) at this location.

Two tone paddle, with left half orange and right half red, indicates bacterial water quality to date is variable, but but animal and stormwater contamination sources are likely to elevate bacterial levels to high levels following rainfall

MAC: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality appears to be (fair) variable at this location.

Two tone paddle, with left half red and right half green, indicates bacterial water quality to date is poor, but few contamination sources have been identified

 MAC: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality appears to be unsatisfactory for swimming.

Two tone paddle, with left half red and right half orange, indicates bacterial water quality to date is poor, but contamination sources at the site have not been confirmed 

 MAC: Based upon incomplete information available to date, bacterial water quality appears to be unsatisfactory for swimming.

Green paddle indicates final classification of ‘good’ or very good bacterial water quality

 Very Good or Good: Bacterial water quality is considered safe for swimming most if not at all times.

Orange paddle indicates final classification of ‘fair’ bacterial water quality

 Fair: Bacterial water quality is variable at this location. However, water quality is generally safe for swimming.

Red paddle indicates final classification of ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ bacterial water quality

Poor or Very Poor: Bacterial water quality is often unsatisfactory for swimming. Avoid swimming at this location.

Blue paddle indicates new sample site.

 New Sample Site: Insufficient water quality or site information is available to assign a bacterial risk classification.

Purple paddle indicates proposed new sample site

 Proposed New Sample Site: This site is currently been considered for future bacterial water quality monitoring.

Site Status Overviews

Microbiological Water Quality Monitoring

City of Albany

Includes: King George Sound, Princess Royal Harbour and Oyster Harbour

  • Albany bacterial water quality results up to Jan 2017 (Excel 66KB)

Shire of Cranbrook

Includes: Nunijup and Poorrarecup Lakes

Shire of Denmark

Includes: Denmark River, Wilson Inlet and Peaceful Bay

Shire of Katanning

Includes: Lake Ewlyamartup

About Great Southern region sampling sites/beaches

For further information about any of these monitoring sites please contact the appropriate Local Government (external site) Environmental Health Officer.

More information

Environmental Health Directorate
Phone: 9222 2000
ehinfo@health.wa.gov.au

Last reviewed: 06-04-2023
Produced by

Environmental Health Directorate

wa.gov.au