Patawalonga Lake

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Archived water quality assessments

Water quality in the Patawalonga Lake at Western beach is assessed as being in good, moderate or poor condition by interpreting water chemistry and algal data. >> More

Water quality classification for October 2005 to March 2006

Indicator	Recreation
Ammonia	Poor
Oxidised Nitrogen	Moderate
Total Nitrogen	Good
Total Phosphorus	Good
Turbidity	Good
Chlorophyll (a)	Poor
Bacteria	Poor

Water quality was classified as poor for recreational activities during winter 2005 due to elevated nitrogen (ammonia and oxidised nitrogen) and chlorophyll (a) levels. Nitrogen can be increased by fertilisers and detergents being washed into urban stormwater drains. The high nutrient concentrations can lead to undesirable algal blooms (as indicated by the high chlorophyll (a)) which can appear unpleasant.

The Patawalonga Lake quality was poor in terms of bacterial levels, largely due to stormwater pollution. The Department of Health recommends that people do not swim in the Patawalonga Basin for up to three days after rain and avoid areas of discoloured water.

Water quality classification for April to September 2005

Indicator	Recreation
Ammonia	Poor
Oxidised Nitrogen	Moderate
Total Nitrogen	Good
Total Phosphorus	Good
Turbidity	Good
Chlorophyll (a)	Poor
Bacteria	Poor

Water quality was classified as poor for recreational activities during winter 2005 due to elevated nitrogen (ammonia and oxidised nitrogen) and chlorophyll (a) levels. Nitrogen can be increased by fertilisers and detergents being washed into urban stormwater drains. The high nutrient concentrations can lead to undesirable algal blooms (as indicated by the high chlorophyll (a)) which can appear unpleasant.

The Patawalonga Lake quality was poor in terms of bacterial levels, largely due to stormwater pollution. The Department of Health recommends that people do not swim in the Patawalonga Basin for up to three days after rain and avoid areas of discoloured water.

This page was last modified 31-07-2007