A warm, tranquil day at the is a cherished pastime for many Australians.

However, recent concerns about the safety of the beaches have surfaced, as it could disrupt the Aussie summer season.


An NSW-based environmental watchdog sounded the alarm over a potential contamination at a popular beach.

The main culprit? Hazardous substances called 'forever chemicals'.

Botany Bay's Tower Beach, also called Commonwealth Beach, has been under scrutiny for contamination by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

These chemicals have been notorious for persisting in the environment.


The said PFAS has also been linked to several types of cancer, which raised health concerns.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) ordered freshwater testing on the beach for the first time since 2018 after receiving dietary advice.

According to the advisory, fish caught within the Tower Beach area had traces of PFAS, which could cause health issues.


The presence of PFAS in Botany Bay has been attributed to the use of firefighting foams at the Botany Industrial Park and Sydney Airport.

Airservices Australia's recent sampling detected PFAS in surface and groundwater within the airport precinct.

However, the area's industrial history made it more challenging to pinpoint the exact source of contamination.

The NSW EPA's move to conduct further testing came after residents' recent frustration over the lack of news regarding the beach's closure.

NSW resident Terry Daly shared that children in the area frequented the beach to play, unaware of the potential dangers.


The NSW government has been proactive in addressing the local community's concerns.

The state has restricted groundwater use since 2006 and has also established precautionary dietary advice in 2018.

However, the recent outcry from the community prompted a renewed focus on ensuring the safety of the beach and its visitors.

The NSW EPA emphasised the importance of transparency and community awareness regarding the contamination.

'While the State does not have jurisdiction over Sydney Airport, the NSW Environment Protection Authority will conduct further testing in the area to provide updated information about Tower Beach to the community,' an NSW Government spokesperson stated.

'The expectation is that landholders will update signage in line with that advice as soon as possible.'
What do you think of this issue with Tower Beach? Have you noticed any changes at your local beach recently? Join the conversation and share your thoughts about this pressing issue in the comments section.