As the weather continues to heat up Canberrans may be tempted to enjoy the waterways the region and its surrounds this summer. But some of them are already closed and it's expected water quality levels will fluctuate throughout the season.
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00:00Neil loves to take advantage of Canberra's waterways and their spectacular views.
00:07He often paddles at Yarralumla Bay and Lake Burley Griffin.
00:11I need a nice sunny still day.
00:13But his favourite spot now comes with a warning.
00:16Four out of ten of the National Capital Authority's testing sites are currently closed for primary contact.
00:23The same goes for most of the swimming spots in the ACT's natural waterways,
00:28including on the Murrumbidgee River, Canberra Pool, Pine Island and Point Hut Crossing.
00:34We still allow things like kayaking and boating and fishing and that sort of thing.
00:38We just ask that people don't swim in the waterways.
00:40Neil has been a regular lake user for many years and he's always careful.
00:45Kayaking's okay, but you do have to watch you don't get water splashed in your mouth or on your drink bottle, things like that.
00:51This water may look clear, but this area is currently unsafe for swimming
00:56and experts are urging anyone looking to swim in one of Canberra's swimming spots this summer
01:00to check whether it's safe for swimming before taking the plunge.
01:04Both the National Capital Authority and Parks ACT do regular quality checks of the water.
01:10We test for a range of different parameters, including bacteria and lupine algae being the main two.
01:15And at the moment we've got closures due to elevated bacteria.
01:20Water and heat tend to be a perfect recipe for bacteria.
01:24When we have heavy rainfall, we get a spike in nutrients into the waterways and that can lead to the closures.
01:29Often you'll get blue-green algae more in our urban lakes and that can be from hot weather when the water's been sitting still.
01:35But water quality levels often change week by week.
01:39When you see rainfall, don't be too surprised if we then also have to close swimming areas.
01:43But they usually lift within a week or so.
01:45Until then, Canberrans will need to check that it's safe to go back into the water.
01:54For more information, visit canberra.ca