Recent findings have forced the closure of several beaches in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with officials revealing that mysterious marble-sized balls washed up on shore contain E. coli, saturated acids, and fecal bacteria. The Northern Beaches Council noted that the debris has been sent for further analysis to the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
On January 14, nine popular beaches, including Manly and Dee Why, were impacted when these unusual balls appeared, reminiscent of a similar occurrence last October when black blobs infested coastlines, leading to lengthy beach closures and extensive clean-up efforts.
The recent clean-up targeted the harbour beaches, with the council advising the public to refrain from handling the hazardous materials and to promptly report any sightings. Alongside dangerous bacteria, the balls were found to contain volcanic rock pumice, casting further doubt on their origin.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins expressed hope that the ongoing EPA analysis will reveal the source of this pollution, aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. The initial incident in October involved "tar balls," which were later identified to contain a wide array of substances including cooking oils, medications, pesticides, and even methamphetamine. Scientists have drawn parallels between these mysterious blobs and "fatbergs," which typically form in sewage systems.
Despite these troubling discoveries, Sydney Water has stated that its water treatment facilities are functioning normally, indicating no issues with the city’s waste management systems at this time.
