Nine beaches in Sydney were closed after authorities discovered that small balls washing ashore contained dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, prompting ongoing investigations led by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Mysterious Balls Contaminating Sydney Beaches Prompt Major Investigations
Mysterious Balls Contaminating Sydney Beaches Prompt Major Investigations
Authorities find hazardous materials in marble-sized balls washing up on Northern Beaches, leading to closures and health warnings.
The Northern Beaches in Sydney are under scrutiny as marble-sized balls filled with hazardous substances have been washing up on the shores, leading to the closure of nine popular beaches, including Manly and Dee Why. The incident began on January 14, when local council officials reported that the mysterious debris contained saturated acids, E. coli, and faecal bacteria. The balls have since been sent for analysis to the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
This situation follows a similar occurrence in October when thousands of black blobs prompted temporary beach closures for cleanup, which revealed various harmful materials including cooking oil, soap scum, and even pharmaceutical residues. The latest discovery has led the Northern Beaches council to issue public warnings against handling the balls and has sparked calls for greater community vigilance.
Mayor Sue Heins emphasized the need for thorough investigations to identify the source of contamination to prevent future occurrences. "We are continuing to conduct regular inspections of our beaches and encourage the community to report any sightings," she stated. While the recent findings suggest the materials resemble "fatbergs" typically found in sewage systems, Sydney Water has assured residents that water treatment facilities are functioning normally and no waste issues have been reported within the city. The analysis by the EPA is expected to shed light on the origin of these concerning pollutants.
