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The water at a famous Melbourne beach has been turned into smelly black sludge due to nearby dredging works. St Kilda beach and the marina are almost unrecognisable today as the popular coastline undergoes a week-long operation to deepen the St Kilda Marina Entrance Channel. Authorities have warned dredging can result in discoloured water and sand with high microbial levels. READ MORE: The two words that could make or break Sussan Ley's reign READ MORE: The seven crimes that could land a child behind bars for decades Residents and visitors have been urged to avoid contact with the water until the dredging works are complete. The beach at St Kilda is also emitting an odour due a broken sewage pipe on Acland Street. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in Victoria said the discolouring impact of dredging was "short-lived" and only took place while sand was being deposited. "The deposited sand on the beach will appear as black sediment and will also enter the water causing dark discolouration," the EPA said. "There may be odour along the beach as well." READ MORE: Australia Post's urgent Christmas scam warning Dredging is a common practice which is used to deepen river channels or marinas so boats can safely pass through. Dredged sand is deposited onto adjacent beaches during the process and can contribute to beach renourishment. The EPA has also warned many swimming spots across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula still poor water quality due to recent storms. St Kilda Beach, Elwood Beach, Brighton Beach and Hampton Beach are among the spots still impacted by storm polution. For more information for where it is safe to swim, visit the EPA's website. Nine.com.au has contacted the City of Port Phillip council for comment. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
