Unanswered questions as EPA confirms debris balls on Sydney beaches likely came from sewage plants

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority revealed that the debris balls that closed beaches in Sydney and the south coast of the state likely originated from Sydney Water’s land-based sewage treatment network. Photograph: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Authorities investigating mystery debris balls that recently closed beaches in Sydney and on the south coast have determined they likely originated from Sydney Water’s land-based sewage treatment network, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority says.

“The development comes after a comprehensive scientific and technical investigation found similarities between the makeup of the debris balls and samples taken from several of Sydney Water’s major wastewater treatment plants, including those at Malabar and Bondi,” the EPA said in a statement on Friday.