Sydneysiders reeling from a sweltering week have been urged to stay out of the water at several popular beaches across the city after authorities issued a stormwater pollution “red warning” on Friday.

“Some swim sites in Sydney and Central Coast regions may continue to be impacted by stormwater pollution,” the New South Wales government agency Beachwatch warned in a statement posted to X.

Twenty-six swimming spots had a red warning of high contamination levels as of 10am on Friday, including Balmoral Baths, Chiswick Baths, Woolwich Baths, Foreshores Beach, Frenchmans Bay, Rose Bay Beach, Murray Rose Pool, Hayes Street Beach, Narrabeen Lagoon, Northbridge Baths, Oatley Bay Baths, Parsley Bay and Tambourine Bay. A red warning means the water is unsuitable for swimming.