What does Yarra Watch do?
The Yarra River is culturally important for the people of Melbourne, used widely for recreation and, increasingly in the lower reaches, tourism-based activities. Sustainability of these activities relies on good water quality.
The Yarra River is monitored weekly for E.coli at 12 sites from the Docklands to the upper reaches at Warburton. Weekly E.coli data and prevailing weather conditions are reviewed and used to provide a weekly update to recreational water quality, and stormwater advisories or river user's alerts where necessary. The weekly E.coli results are also used to give each site a weekly condition rating, providing users with up to date information on the river water quality.
With our current level of understanding of the distribution and behaviour of bacteria in the Yarra River, it is not possible to predict the bacteria levels at any given time. Yarra Watch provides information on the historical levels of bacteria and a more up to date rating based on the previous five weeks, but this information does not forecast daily levels.
General information for recreational water users
The water quality in the Yarra River is generally suitable for the recreational uses that are commonly undertaken, such as rowing, canoeing and kayaking, except in the days following heavy rain. From Warrandyte upstream, when recreational water quality is high, the river is also suitable for swimming.
The river generally has higher bacterial levels than Port Phillip Bay's beaches and when it rains in the catchment, bacterial levels go up. Storms can occur in the catchment with little warning. Historical monitoring has shown water quality in the Yarra River deteriorates after heavy rain, particularly in the lower reaches from Dights Falls to Docklands, as stormwater from drains and streams enters the river.
Recreational users are reminded that river use always involves some level of risk. Recreational water that is considered of high quality may still pose a risk of illness to some people, depending on age, state of health and degree of contact with the water. Rivers also contain a range of other hazards including high flows, unseen objects and litter. River use requires care at all times.
River users are also reminded that, due to the large amount of boating activity on the Lower Yarra River, the Marine Act (1988) prohibits swimming downstream of the Gipps Street Bridge to ensure public safety.