Howard Springs Nature Park: Synthesis of What We Know

Bacteria Counts in Water from the Springs

Water emerging from the spring is monitored weekly.

At the start of the dry season when the water flow is very strong, the bacteria count of the water coming out of the Springs is extremely low, ranging from one organism to nil organisms recorded. 

This situation remains the same with the water coming out of the Spring being of excellent quality during the dry season until late August and September when the occasional analysis reading showing the presence of bacteria.

However from late September when the water flow from the Spring becomes low, the bacteria levels recorded in the samples begin to increase with the readings being above the recommended levels for primary contact in October and extremely high in November and December. 

In January the bacteria readings from the samples are again very low after the Springs has started to flow strongly again as a result of the wet season rains.

While the quality of water exiting the spring and entering the waterhole varies throughout the year, high bacteria levels late in the year contribute further to water quality problems in the waterhole.

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