Poor water quality at Waverley Lake

Published on 31 January 2023

Test results from water samples taken by City of Launceston officers at Waverley Lake have indicated elevated levels of enterococci bacteria.

As a consequence, the public is advised not to swim at Waverley Lake until levels decrease.

The elevated levels are likely the result of birdlife and wildlife, combined with ongoing warm weather and recent rainfall in the catchment.

On behalf of the community, the City of Launceston conducts weekly water testing at popular swimming spots in Northern Tasmania between December and April each year.  

Weekly water testing is undertaken at the Cataract Gorge's First Basin, Corra Linn, the St Leonards Picnic Ground and Waverley Lake.

The City of Launceston will continue to test swimming spots over summer and advise the public if and when water quality test results are poor, and when results return to acceptable levels.