Water quality monitoring
Find the latest water quality monitoring results so you can make informed decisions about how you use Brisbane’s waterways.
What is water quality monitoring?
If you enjoy activities in and on Brisbane’s waterways, it's good to know about local water quality.
We conduct water quality monitoring on a regular basis. The results show possible health risks found in the Brisbane River, our waterways and bay, due to microbial contamination.
Why is it important?
We preserve water quality in Brisbane’s waterways so you’re not exposed to unnecessary health risks.
Water quality monitoring provides up-to-date information to help you make decisions on where, when and how you can enjoy the water.
Microbial contamination
Microbial contamination refers to the presence of microbes such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa in the water.
These have the potential to cause disease in humans.
Microbial contamination can come from:
- stormwater runoff
- faeces from domesticated and wild animals
- leaking sewerage pipes
- boating wastes
- malfunctioning septic tanks
- sewage treatment plant overflows
- illegal sewer connections.
Water quality testing
We monitor water quality at 11 highly used recreational sites in the Brisbane River and sections of Moreton Bay.
To measure microbial contamination, we check for levels of bacteria known as enterococci.
At the Brisbane River and bayside sites, testing occurs monthly during the summer season and once every 2 months during the cooler months.
At Oxley and Cabbage Tree Creek sites, testing occurs fortnightly during the summer season and monthly during the cooler months.
Water monitoring results
Check our water monitoring results before you come into contact with Brisbane waterways.
The results list will help you determine if a site has a low, medium or high health risk. If a site has a medium-high risk, a temporary warning sign will be placed at the location.
View the results from recent monitoring sites by downloading the Enterococci monitoring results document.
Warning signs about water quality
You may see Council signs about water quality where people commonly use or access the waterway, e.g. near boat ramps, pontoons and popular riverside parks.
Information signs remind users that microbial contamination is common in urban waterways, particularly after heavy rainfall.
There are 2 types of warning signs.
The sign says:
To protect your health, we want you to know this waterway can be affected by high levels of bacteria at certain times, especially after rainfall. You are advised to avoid contact with the water during and after heavy rainfall.
Activities that should be avoided during and after rain include:
- jet skiing
- kite surfing
- swimming.
If water quality testing confirms medium-high levels of bacteria in the water, temporary warning signs will be installed in the affected location.
The sign says:
WARNING - High levels of bacteria, which can be harmful to health, have been recorded in this waterway. You are advised to avoid contact with the water.
Activities where you will be immersed in the water, or even have limbs wet, are not recommended.
The following activities are not recommended when a warning sign is in place:
- swimming
- jet skiing
- kite surfing
- wading
- rowing
- fishing
- activities where your limbs get wet regularly.
The temporary warning signs are removed when test results return to acceptable levels.
Enterococci trigger levels for installing and removing the temporary warning signs are in line with the National Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters 2008.
Frequently asked questions
If you undertake activities in water with microbial contamination, you may be at risk of:
- infection – especially for people who have a low immunity such as children, the sick and the elderly
- diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramps, fever and respiratory infections
- wound infections, dermatitis, conjunctivitis and ear, nose and throat infections.
If you experience these symptoms after having primary contact with contaminated waters, you should:
- contact Queensland Health Helpline on 13 HEALTH
- visit a doctor for medical advice.
It’s not possible to know what the levels of contaminants are in a waterway at all times.
Monitoring results only indicate the levels of bacteria present at the time the sample was taken.
These results can vary daily. If you use the waterway, you should always follow Queensland Health advice and read Council signs.
Don’t enter waters during or up to 3 days after heavy rainfall. Always avoid swimming near stormwater pipe outlets.
If you have any questions about waterway quality, you can contact:
- Queensland Health Helpline on 13 HEALTH
- Queensland Health Public Health Unit, Brisbane northside on 07 3624 1111
- Queensland Health Public Health Unit, Brisbane southside on 07 3000 9148.