Council has provided the latest results of the samples of pollution balls collected last week to the EPA for further analysis to support efforts to locate the source of the pollution incident.

In addition to the hydrocarbons identified in the preliminary test results last week, the latest results indicate the presence of saturated fatty acids, along with faecal coliforms and E-coli.  

Council understands the EPA have taken their own samples for analysis and comparison with those Council collected.  

A small number of marble-sized balls mixed in with pumice have also been cleaned up from harbour beaches this week including at Little Manly and West Esplanade, and Council continues to monitor and clean up as needed.  

If people find more of the debris on beaches in our area, they are advised not to handle it but to report it to Council Lifeguards, the EPA’s Environment Line on 131 555 or Council’s Customer Service team on 1300 434 434.