5. DISCUSSION This is the sixteenth year of reporting on recreational water quality in Tasmania. Twenty-seven of 29 councils reported having active water quality monitoring programs for natural recreational water bodies within their municipalities. The two councils that did not do regular testing manage natural recreational waters by either permanent signage or annual reassessment of risk. When testing identified non-compliant quality in natural recreational water bodies, councils responded with a combination of resampling and signage, typically indicating that the water was temporarily unsuitable for swimming. Most councils reported having monthly quality monitoring programs in place for public swimming pools and public spa pools. Non-compliant results were addressed by requiring operators to undertake corrective actions. Corrective actions include resampling to verify the effectiveness of the actions taken and can also include pool closure. By undertaking regular testing of designated natural recreational water sites, and managing them in accordance with guidelines, councils help the public to make confident and informed decisions about water quality and the risk to human health when swimming or enjoying other recreational activities. The current review of the Tasmanian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines will review the process for councils to seek approval for variation in the frequency of sampling of particular natural recreational water bodies. This process should accommodate both a risk assessment that is sensitive to the hazards that may emerge in a site, and an approach that takes into account the public use of the site and the appropriate deployment of council resources. DHHS will continue to work closely with councils to improve recreational water quality through their monitoring and management of sites. Heavy rainfall affects the water quality of recreational areas especially near storm water outfalls, as contaminants on the land are washed into the water. Accordingly, people should not swim near flowing storm water outfalls, and should wait a few days after rain before swimming in areas where contaminated run-off is likely to have occurred. This general advice applies to designated natural recreational water sites and other locations in Tasmania. Dr Mark Veitch Director of Public Health
5. DISCUSSION This is the sixteenth year of reporting on recreational water quality in Tasmania. Twenty-seven of 29 councils reported having active water quality monitoring programs for natural recreational water bodies within their municipalities. The two councils that did not do regular testing manage natural recreational waters by either permanent signage or annual reassessment of risk. When testing identified non-compliant quality in natural recreational water bodies, councils responded with a combination of resampling and signage, typically indicating that the water was temporarily unsuitable for swimming. Most councils reported having monthly quality monitoring programs in place for public swimming pools and public spa pools. Non-compliant results were addressed by requiring operators to undertake corrective actions. Corrective actions include resampling to verify the effectiveness of the actions taken and can also include pool closure. By undertaking regular testing of designated natural recreational water sites, and managing them in accordance with guidelines, councils help the public to make confident and informed decisions about water quality and the risk to human health when swimming or enjoying other recreational activities. The current review of the Tasmanian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines will review the process for councils to seek approval for variation in the frequency of sampling of particular natural recreational water bodies. This process should accommodate both a risk assessment that is sensitive to the hazards that may emerge in a site, and an approach that takes into account the public use of the site and the appropriate deployment of council resources. DHHS will continue to work closely with councils to improve recreational water quality through their monitoring and management of sites. Heavy rainfall affects the water quality of recreational areas especially near storm water outfalls, as contaminants on the land are washed into the water. Accordingly, people should not swim near flowing storm water outfalls, and should wait a few days after rain before swimming in areas where contaminated run-off is likely to have occurred. This general advice applies to designated natural recreational water sites and other locations in Tasmania. Dr Mark Veitch Director of Public Health
Recreational_Water_Quality_Annual_Report_2016_-17.docx