Water Quality Testing Results

Bacterial Water Testing

Bacterial water testing is undertaken at various sites in the ACT, to check for the content of the potentially harmful bacteria faecal coliforms. 

The National Health and Medical Research Council's Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water stipulates which recreational activities are safe for people depending on the levels of bacteria in the water, and recognises two broad categories of water use, Primary and Seconday Contact. The level of bacteria considered safe for primary contact activities is considerably lower than that for secondary contact activities.

• Primary Contact: activities which involve direct contact with water such as swimming and wading.
• Secondary Contact: activities which generally don't require direct contact with water such as canoeing, boating and rowing.

The ACT Health Protection Service collects water samples on the first working day of the week. The bacterial test results and recommendations for safe use are then sent to PCL. As soon as the results are available, they are entered in the table below and the warning signs at various swimming areas are adjusted as required. 

Bacterial levels are known to be higher after rainfall due to the effect of the quantity of material collecting in stormwater pipes, grazing land and upstream water bodies between rain events. If there has been significant rainfall since the water samples were taken, PCL may display the warning against swimming sign as a precaution. However, please be aware that bacterial levels may be high after rainfall even if the warning against swimming is not displayed.   

Water quality test results for Friday 9 March - Thursday 15 March 2012.

Further information

• Water Quality in Our Lakes, Ponds and Rivers
• Water Resources Data
• Water Catchments in the ACT