Toowoomba Regional Council has suspended all water-based recreational activities at Cressbrook Dam until further notice following the detection of elevated levels of Enterococci bacteria.
Council portfolio spokesperson for Strategic Water Planning, Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff, said routine monitoring had detected the bacteria.
“As a precaution, Council has temporarily closed the dam to all water-based recreation,” Cr Vonhoff said.
“Regular testing will continue so we can determine when it is safe to reopen the dam for these activities.”
Cr Vonhoff said the current bacterial levels exceed primary and secondary contact recreation guidelines but emphasised that drinking water remains safe.
“The bacteria pose no risk to the drinking supply, as they are removed through treatment and disinfection processes.”
“Council conducts weekly monitoring across all three dams, testing for algae and a range of microbiological indicators including E. coli. We also assess chemical parameters such as iron, manganese, alkalinity, nitrate, hardness, ammonia, colour, turbidity and phosphate,” she said.
The Lake Cressbrook campground and day‑use area remain open to the public, but all water-based activities are prohibited during the closure.
For up‑to‑date information on permitted activities at Toowoomba Regional Council’s dams, visit: https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/Places-and-activities/Sport-and-recreation/Lakes-dams-and-camping/Open-or-closed-status-and-allowed-activities-on-lakes-and-dams.
