The Darwin yachters have denied the blames that toilet water from boats has contaminated the suburban beaches that have been closed after higher levels of polluting were detected.

The Mindil, Vesteys, East Point and Nightcliff beaches were blocked for swimming and fishing as the water was found to contain high levels of E. coli bacteria.

Rejecting the allegations, the Darwin Sailing Club's Barry Starcke said that sailors do not discharge the holding tanks near land to avoid any kind of pollution and that when the boats are tied up; they use the club toilet facilities.

He said that there are some manners and customs that have been approved by all the sailors and the respective fraternities that whenever the tanks become full, they are emptied into the seas.

According to the Northern Territory Government, sewage was cited as the cause of E. coli outbreak. It has been explained that as the human wastes lack bacteria enterococci, it can be a major reason for the contamination.

On the other hand, Microbiologist Linda Blackall from the Australian Institute of Marine Science suggested that nothing should be concluded before any further research was made into the waters of Darwin Harbor.

She added that the testing should be intensified for more evident results as, in case the bacteria are not coming from human waste, it is important to know the exact source of the organism.