The 2025 State of the Beaches Report has revealed the water quality of swimming spots has improved.

Out of the 249 sites across NSW, water quality has improved at 23 swimming sites, while a further 179 kept their high score of ‘good’ to ‘very good’.

The report covers swimming spots like our very own Penrith Beach with a ‘good’ 2025 annual grade.

The water quality of our swimming spots can be impacted by heavy rainfall and run off from overflowing storm water systems. These conditions can lead to unsafe contaminants in our beaches rivers, estuaries and lakes.

Ocean beaches and tidal pools generally performed better after storms, due to higher levels of flushing which quickly disperses and dilutes pollution, allowing for faster recovery.

95% of the 133 monitored ocean beaches in NSW scored between good and very good for water quality.

Estuarine swimming sites, which are more susceptible to stormwater impacts following rainfall, had 63% graded as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, up from last year’s result of 55%.

Beachwatch recommends staying out of the water when it’s raining, and up to three days afterwards, or when the water is murky and littered with debris.

While the State of the Beaches Report provides a long-term assessment of how suitable sites are for swimming, people are encouraged to check water quality before swimming at beachwatch.nsw.gov.au.

You can view the results of your local swimming spots on the State of the Beaches website: beachwatch.nsw.gov.au/stateofthebeaches.

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown OAM said:

“Penrith residents should always check the Beachwatch forecasts before swimming.

“Penrith Beach is a great local asset and community can swim knowing that the water quality is constantly monitored and maintained.”