Recent reports published by The Daily Telegraph have focused on a minor sewer overflow last week that affected Maroubra Beach at the Rubik's Cube stormwater outlet.

Sydney Water has been investigating this issue and has identified the source as a residential property sewer that overflowed into the stormwater system.

While any sewage overflow is strongly undesirable, Randwick Council understand this overflow was relatively minor and its impact to the beach and risk to swimmers was low.

The stormwater system flows to the lowest point – that’s typically our beaches, bays and coast. That’s why it’s important to keep our drains clean and ensure that drains are only for rain.

Sydney Water signage has been installed at the drain outlet on the beach advising people not to swim at this location as a precaution. The flagged swimming areas are located some distance away from the stormwater outlet and are not affected.

Lifeguards made the decision to temporarily close the beach for a few hours last Friday (6 December) after Council became aware of water quality sampling showing high faecal colony counts at the drain outlet. Subsequent sampling was conducted and found other locations along the beach were not affected. The beach was reopened and has remained open since.

It is not unusual for water quality of stormwater outlets at all Sydney beaches to be affected by urban pollution. Standing advice from the Office of Environment & Heritage is that people should avoid swimming at all Sydney beaches up to 24 hours after heavy rainfall due to the potential for stormwater contamination.

Council also recommends that people not swim or play in the stormwater runoff at our beaches as a precaution.

You can check daily beach conditions from Randwick City Lifeguards on

• Our website (http://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/lifeguard-reports)
• Twitter (https://twitter.com/randwickcouncil)

The NSW Government Office of Environment & Heritage publish daily updates on ocean water quality conditions on their website (https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beachapp/OceanBulletin.aspx)

If you'd like more information about how to help keep our stormwater drains clear and prevent pollution from reaching our beaches, visit this website: https://www.endbeachpollution.sydney/