Melbourne swimmers warned to steer clear of Port Phillip Bay due to gastro fears

Swimmers are being warned to steer clear of Melbourne’s beaches until at least Wednesday due to contamination fears.

A large amount of waste has washed into Port Phillip Bay following recent storms.

The EPA monitors 36 beaches around Victoria, with 21 found to have poor water quality on Monday.

Swimmers are at an increased risk of contracting illnesses such as gastro if they choose to swim in the water.

The northern bay – from Werribee South to Frankston – returned the worst rating, while beaches on the Mornington Peninsula are still considered safe for swimming.

Dr Anthony Boxhall from the EPA said conditions should improve soon.

‘As long as we don’t get any more rain is that we’re looking at fair and good (conditions) by about Wednesday,’ he said on 3AW Drive.

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