Sydney's Bronte, Redleaf beaches closed to swimmers after sewage found in water

"Sydney Water staff confirmed with our staff [that] sewage was in the water [at Redleaf] and they were water testing on site and asking people to get out of the water," a Woollahra Municipal Council spokeswoman said just after 1pm. "Sewerage is managed by Sydney Water."

Later, it was announced the ocean pool at the beach would be closed.

"Redleaf Pool will be closed for the rest of the long weekend as a result of the sewage issue," the council spokeswoman said. Sydney Water said the council's public toilet was to blame.

"A blockage in a public toilet wastewater line operated by Woollahra Municipal Council caused a wastewater overflow this morning in Double Bay," the Sydney Water spokesperson said.

"It is understood Council rangers closed Redleaf Beach and Murray Rose Pool and barricaded the toilet block."

Sydney Water crews checked the nearby Sydney Water sewer line with CCTV cameras and confirmed there was no fault.

Officials at the beach were overheard telling some beachgoers to "avoid the water for a few days" as a precaution. It was unclear if people would be allowed back in the water on Saturday.

Earlier, the Woollahra Municipal Council spokeswoman said Sydney Water were on-site "doing some stormwater rectification work".

Redleaf beach was at capacity at 1pm, with the Woollahra Municipal Council spokeswoman telling the Herald it had become too crowded. There would be "no further entry at this stage", she said.

Camp Cove beach was also at capacity, with "no further entry at this time", the spokeswoman said.

with Megan Gorrey