ALERT - BRIGHT RIVER POOL - FAIR WATER QUALITY
Recent water quality results indicate a Fair water quality for the Bright River Pool. As a result, Council advises against swimming in this river pool until the water quality improves. This alert does not affect the Porepunkah River Pools which are still Good water quality; nor the Bright Splash Park which has an independent water supply.
Council's recreational aquatic centers in Bright, Myrtleford and Mount Beauty are still operating as per normal open hours.
General Information:
During the Summer school holidays, Council undertakes water quality sampling of the river pool in Bright and the river pool and toddler pool in Porepunkah.
Sampling is undertaken for E.coli organisms on a weekly basis, or more frequently as required. E.coli is recognised as an indicator in measuring faecal contamination of recreational freshwater bodies. EPA Victoria uses E.coli sampling for the Yarra Watch Project which provides guidance on the suitability of recreational activities in locations along the Yarra River.
Similar to the Yarra Watch project, Council uses the sampling results to provide advice to our community on the suitability of recreational activities in our river pools. Between the 21 December 2018 and the 31 January 2019, Council will provide regular updates, generally weekly, on the quality of our river pools based on the ratings below:
• Good water quality – Indicates that the water quality is suitable for all recreational activities including swimming.
• Fair water quality – Indicates that the water quality is generally not suitable for swimming, but is suitable for rowing, kayaking and other non-direct water contact activities. Swimming is not recommended. Avoid all water-based recreational activities for 24-48hrs after heavy rains.
• Poor water quality – Indicates that the water quality is NOT suitable for swimming, but is generally suitable for rowing, kayaking and other non-direct water contact activities. Do not swim during poor water quality events. Avoid all water-based recreational activities for 24-48hrs after heavy rains.
• Unsuitable for recreation water quality – Indicates that the water quality is not suitable for any water-based recreational activities. Contact with the water should be avoided during unsuitable water quality events.
Council may advise against using the river pools and associated equipment when the water quality is unsuitable for swimming; this is when the quality is determined to be fair, poor or unsuitable. Undertaking recreational activities outside the water quality guidance above may result in a potential risk to health.
It is acknowledged that the sampling program provides an indication of recreational water quality only, and does not give a specific measure of health risk on any given day. The results relate to water-based recreational activities only and are only considered representative of the River Pool described. River users should take care at all times and not swallow river water. Drinking of the river water is not recommended.
At all times, river users need to be mindful of other potential hazards such as high flows, unseen objects and litter. It is also recommended to avoid swimming 24-48 hours after heavy rain regardless of the water quality rating.
For further information on how the water quality ratings are determined, please see the River Pool Water Quality Ratings Information page.