Water quality on Teewah Beach - Qld

Sand Spears eh, never heard of them so just went and done some research ,

motorcare.com.au/sspear.htm

Councils and NPs are unreal

have been using a sand spear for at least 7 years and never had any problems after you sink the spear it is a bit dirty and clears up. we sometimes drink the water all depends if it smells or not we have always showerd and wash up in it . heard a bloke at fraser put a spear down on a house near his septic trenches and got sick from it. now they are having a knee jerk reaction to it. had some of the best water (like mineral water you buy) at fraser and double island. if it smells dirty move the spear
dags

Probably a reaction to the large number of people that use the area. Lots of them go and do their doo doo's just at the back of the beach and that means high levels of nasties like ecoli bacteria get into the ground water. Also lots of feacel matter...

No way would I use a grounwater spear in any high use camping area.

Hi Graeme,

I believe the EPA are giving this advice as the area that is regularly camped in is becoming a bit on the nose at times due to the amount of people who use the dunal area for answering the call of nature. Apparently a lot of folks are emptying chemical toilets etc in the area also and this contamination is showing up in the underground water supply.

A friend of mine at the EPA tells me they are about to install a couple of points for emptying chemical toilets near to the beach camping area.

You really only have to look at the number of people who camp there to get an idea of what could be happening. I reckon it is pretty good advice and I wouldn't be too keen on using water from that area.

Have a good one.

Hi Graeme, there is a real health problem in the teewah north shore camping areas with the contamination from buried human excrement which is leaching down through the sand. There have been several cases of people becoming extremly ill plus some have contracted serious infections whilst camping in the area.
The Noosa council is investigating the continuance of camping or the closure of certain areas.So the short answer is don't drink the water take your own.

Regards,

Camollie

Thanks all for the reply's. Regarding what you have said and remembering the smells last year I fully understand what you are saying. Will have to take a few more rums up and refill up at freshwater when necessary.

Graeme