The mysterious appearance of beach balls on Sydney’s shores late last year is likely linked to the city’s sewage treatment facilities, according to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The unusual debris was first spotted in Coogee in October 2024 and gradually washed up along Sydney’s coastline, including the northern beaches.
An extensive investigation conducted by the EPA indicated that Sydney Water’s land-based sewage treatment system might be the source of these odd balls. Testing revealed that the composition of the debris bears similarities to samples collected from Sydney Water’s wastewater treatment plants, specifically at Malabar and Bondi.
Sydney Water has acknowledged its facilities as the probable cause of these strange debris formations. In an official statement, they cited that fatty substances, oils, and greases in the wastewater system could have led to the creation of the beach balls, compounded by specific oceanographic conditions that pushed them ashore. It is believed that there were multiple discharge events from several locations that resulted in this phenomenon.
Previous analyses showed the balls consist of various human-made wastes, including cooking oils, soaps, pharmaceutical residues, and even human faecal matter. The investigation has not pinpointed a single source responsible for the waste discharge, suggesting that further research is necessary to discern all contributing factors to this issue.
Efforts are underway to address the situation and mitigate the risk of similar occurrences in the future. EPA Director of Operations, Adam Gilligan, highlighted the ongoing work to identify precise discharge points, confirming that the characteristics of the debris align with a land-based sewage origin. A panel of wastewater experts has been set up to assist the EPA and New South Wales government in this investigation.