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Spatio-Temporal Variation in the Exceedance of Enterococci in Lake Burley Griffin: An Analysis of 16 Years’ Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Data

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  • Ripon Kumar Adhikary

    (National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
    Department of Fisheries and Marine Bioscience, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh)

  • Danswell Starrs

    (Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT Government, Canberra 2601, Australia
    Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • David Wright

    (Lake and Dam, National Capital Authority, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Barry Croke

    (Institute for Water Futures, Mathematical Sciences Institute and Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Kathryn Glass

    (National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Aparna Lal

    (National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

Abstract

Recreational waterbodies with high levels of faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) pose health risks and are an ongoing challenge for urban-lake managers. Lake Burley Griffin (LBG) in the Australian Capital city of Canberra is a popular site for water-based recreation, but analyses of seasonal and long-term patterns in enterococci that exceed alert levels (>200 CFU per 100 mL, leading to site closures) are lacking. This study analysed enterococci concentrations from seven recreational sites from 2001–2021 to examine spatial and temporal patterns in exceedances during the swimming season (October–April), when exposure is highest. The enterococci concentrations varied significantly across sites and in the summer months. The frequency of the exceedances was higher in the 2009–2015 period than in the 2001–2005 and 2015–2021 periods. The odds of alert-level concentrations were greater in November, December, and February compared to October. The odds of exceedance were higher at the Weston Park East site (swimming beach) and lower at the Ferry Terminal and Weston Park West site compared to the East Basin site. This preliminary examination highlights the need for site-specific assessments of environmental and management-related factors that may impact the public health risks of using the lake, such as inflows, turbidity, and climatic conditions. The insights from this study confirm the need for targeted monitoring efforts during high-risk months and at specific sites. The study also advocates for implementing measures to minimise faecal pollution at its sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Ripon Kumar Adhikary & Danswell Starrs & David Wright & Barry Croke & Kathryn Glass & Aparna Lal, 2024. "Spatio-Temporal Variation in the Exceedance of Enterococci in Lake Burley Griffin: An Analysis of 16 Years’ Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:5:p:579-:d:1387459
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Asja Korajkic & Brian R. McMinn & Valerie J. Harwood, 2018. "Relationships between Microbial Indicators and Pathogens in Recreational Water Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-39, December.
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