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Moreton Bay Regional Council monitors water quality at popular swimming beaches in the region on a weekly basis from October to March (peak swimming season).
Runoff from urban, agricultural and industrial areas (stormwater) can contaminate beaches, particularly after rainfall. This is a potential health risk to people during whole body contact (primary contact) activities, such as swimming, diving and surfing and incidental contact (secondary contact) activities, such as boating, fishing and wading.
What is tested?
The program tests for faecal matter contamination using a microbial indicator called Enterococci. If the Enterococci levels in a waterway are high, this indicates that there may be some form of faecal pollution, potentially from a variety of animal and/or human sources. This translates to a risk of infection.
View the latest test results
What are the health risks?
In polluted waters, swimmers may be exposed to pathogens, which can easily enter the ears, eyes, nose and mouth. The skin is also directly exposed to infectious agents through swimming, playing or working in polluted waters.
This exposure can lead to a variety of health problems including gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, flu-like illnesses, dermatitis, ear, nose and throat infections, sinusitis and deep tissue or blood infections through open wounds.
The number of pathogens required to cause infections varies widely between micro-organisms and the general health of an individual. Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems appear to be at greater risk. Visitors without prior immunity may also be at higher risk than the local population.
General warnings for safe swimming
- Avoid swimming at beaches during and at least one day after heavy rain, due to the possibility of pollution from stormwater drains.
- Avoid swimming near stormwater drains.
- Avoid swimming if you see signs of pollution such as discoloured water, oil, scum litter or debris floating on the water or tide line.
For further information regarding this program, please contact Council or email esmailbox@moretonbay.qld.gov.au 
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