Water quality monitoring
Council monitors the water quality at Quarry Lake in Ferntree Gully to ensure the space is safe to visit.
During the warmer months of the year (November to April,) when contact with water is more likely, water quality testing is conducted more regularly.
Current water quality
Currently, testing for bacteria, blue-green algae, and other water health indicators categorise the water quality within Quarry Lake as being safe, posing no significant risk to human and animal health.
However, as water quality can change rapidly, we discourage swimming, fishing or, letting your dog enter the water. Signage is on site at the quarry providing this advice.
Previous contamination
Routine testing throughout the summer months identified elevated levels of a bacteria known as Enterococci within the quarry lake. Enterococci occur naturally in plants, sand, soil, and sediments but higher enterococci levels may indicate faecal contamination. Sources could include stormwater runoff, sewage, dog poo, or wildlife waste.
Enterococci are typically not considered harmful to humans. Still, their presence in the water may indicate other disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa which can make swimmers and people who eat fish from the water sick.
Medical attention
If you have experienced any of the following symptoms after swimming in or eating fish from Quarry Lake, please seek medical attention:
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain and cramps
- fever
- respiratory infections
- ear infections
- skin rashes.
Updates
This page was last updated on Monday 6 May 2024.
Need help?
Contact us and we will come back to you.
Or call our Stormwater team on 9298 8000.
