Glenelg Beach

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Archived water quality assessments

Water quality at Glenelg Beach is assessed as being in good, moderate or poor condition by interpreting water chemistry and algal data. >> More

Water quality classification for October 2005 - March 2006

Indicator	Ecosystem	Recreation	Aquaculture
Ammonia	Moderate	NA	Good
Oxidised Nitrogen	Moderate	NA	NA
Total Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Total Phosphorus	Good	NA	NA
Turbidity	Moderate	Moderate	NA
Chlorophyll (a)	Poor	NA	NA
Heavy Metals	Good	NA	Good
Bacteria	NA	Good	NA

Notes NA = not applicable

Most nutrients and turbidity were classified as moderate and algae as poor at Glenelg. This is most likely due to effluent from the Glenelg WWTP, urban stormwater and the Torrens River promoting algal growth, which in turn can increase turbidity. Turbid water can also be caused by natural wind and wave action close to the shore. It is recommended that bathers inspect the water before swimming as turbidity can make it difficult to see rocks and other hazards.

Heavy metals were classified as good, which is an improvement from the last period where they were classified as poor. This is likely to be due to less runoff from urban areas due to the warmer months.

Water quality classification for April to September 2005

Indicator	Ecosystem	Recreation	Aquaculture
Ammonia	Good	NA	Good
Oxidised Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Total Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Soluble Phosphorus	NA	NA	NA
Total Phosphorus	Good	NA	NA
Turbidity	Moderate	Moderate	NA
Chlorophyll (a)	Poor	NA	NA
Heavy Metals	Poor	NA	Poor
Bacteria	NA	Good	NA

Notes NA = not applicable

Turbidity was classified as moderate and algae as poor at Glenelg. This most likely due to effluent from the Glenelg WWTP, urban stormwater and the Torrens River promoting algal growth, which in turn can increase turbidity. Turbid water can also be caused by natural wind and wave action close to the shore. It is recommended that bathers inspect the water before swimming as turbidity can make it difficult to see rocks and other hazards.

Heavy metals were classified as poor, which is most likely due to urban runoff containing heavy metals washed off roads and galvanised iron roofs.

This page was last modified 31-07-2007