Recreational Water

Water

Thirteen waterways in the City drain from the ranges and hills above into the Derwent River. The management of these waterways is important for preserving wildlife corridors, improving water quality in the Derwent, providing flood protection and preserving habitat for numerous aquatic and riparian species.

River Derwent water sampling

We take regular water samples from the River Derwent as part of the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP).

If you catch fish from the River Derwent, it is important to know that there are some health issues with eating wild shellfish or fish that you catch.

View more information on the Derwent Estuary Program’s seafood safety.

As part of our program, we collect samples for a 4-month period from December to March from a number of sites including Windermere and Elwick bays. Every year these results are evaluated and included in the State of the Derwent annual report.

Public swimming pools and spas

Pools and spas open to the public must be tested for microbiological quality monthly. Proprietors are responsible for:

• Keeping a logbook of all water quality records
• Arranging water sample collection and submitting them to the Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory
• Maintaining chemical parameters in line with the Recreational Water Quality Guidelines 2007

Windermere Beach

Windermere Beach is Glenorchy’s only designated swimming beach. Council monitors its microbiological quality weekly from December through March.

Current water quality ratings are available at the Derwent Estuary Program’s Beach Watch site — it’s recommended you check before swimming.

Avoid swimming if:

• Beach Watch provides precautionary advice, or
• There has been significant rainfall in the past three days, as stormwater runoff can carry contaminants into the water

If a water sample returns an unsafe result, a retest is taken. The beach will be closed if the retest is also non-compliant, and will only reopen once water quality returns to safe levels.