Media statement - water signage at Christies Beach

Published on 23 September 2026

This morning, the City of Onkaparinga removed signs that had been placed on Christies Beach alerting beachgoers of “polluted water – no swimming” after our initial investigations suggested the signs were unauthorised.

We’ve since confirmed the signs were installed by water infrastructure business, coNEXA, which was authorised to do so by the Department of Health and Wellbeing (SA Health) and the EPA as part of work on a nearby Renewal SA housing development.

The signs related to the planned minor discharge of recycled water (not effluent) through the stormwater system to help facilitate water connection to the new development, which SA Health and EPA advised carried minimal risk to the public.

The signage was installed by coNEXA out of an abundance of caution. SA Health and EPA were the approving authorities for the recycled water’s release and management.

We are in discussions with SA Health about whether the signs need to be reinstalled on the beach to alert beachgoers.

ENDS