Water Quality Management
Lake Burley Griffin (the Lake) is generally regarded as ornamental / recreational waters. The use of the Lake is promoted in a sustainable manner protecting and enhancing its character and quality.
The Authority manages a comprehensive water quality program to monitor the environmental status of the Lake and to advise the users regarding changes in the water quality conditions arising from floods, droughts, elevated bacterial, and algae conditions.
The Authority's Water Quality Program has three components.
- Routine testing of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the water from mid stream samples. Samples are taken monthly and cover the whole body of the Lake. The results are reported annually giving the overall environmental status of the Lake.
- Microbiological monitoring on recreational beaches. Samples are taken weekly in summer months in five primary and two secondary contact sites. The results are reported weekly with actions arising from elevated bacterial levels taken as appropriate. The bacterial levels are monitored weekly in summer months and analysed and reported in accordance with the National Water Quality Guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000 (ANZECC 2000).
- Algae monitoring program. Visual weekly inspections are undertaken with samples taken on monthly basis. This is part of ACT wide program based on visual inspection and testing as required with appropriate actions undertaken as necessary.