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How we identify swimmable sites
Each potential natural site has a unique set of characteristics, and we consider them all during the activation process. Some are perfect for swimming, while some might suit other water-based recreation, like kayaking. Some might require treated river pools or tow-in pools.
How we choose swim spots
Long before we open any proposed site for water-based recreation to the community, we need to be sure it's suitable. It goes through a rigorous selection process. We hold stakeholder workshops and carry out short studies to understand feasibility, desirability, vulnerability and cultural significance.
Does the site have the makings of an Urban Plunge site?
Urban Plunge® criteria identify situations where activation of the waterway may be difficult or even impossible. If it turns out the site's not suitable for swimming, maybe it can be used for other activities like kayaking or 'splash contact'. We might think of other ways to make swimming possible, like creating a treated river pool. We consider things like boat traffic, water quality, land ownership, accessibility, and any ecological restrictions such as endangered species or vulnerable communities.
What does the community think?
Even if a site is feasible for activation, we need to understand how the community perceives it and how it would like to see the site used, and what the current barriers to swimming here are. Often a site's desirability can be improved through providing infrastructure or other site improvements.
What are the risks?
Our vulnerability criteria assess the relative risks from a safety and community acceptance point of view. The higher a site's vulnerability, the greater the management measures required to mitigate its risks. Considerations include susceptibility to algal blooms, water flow dynamics, flood susceptibility and riverbed hazards.
What are the cultural considerations?
It's important to understand and respect the site's spiritual connection to First Nations peoples, as well as its historical and contemporary significance. We do a specific cultural and multicultural needs assessment, and targeted engagement with local communities.
How RiverWatch verifies water quality
RiverWatch® is Sydney Water's recreational monitoring and reporting program. It works with councils and other organisations to establish new swim sites and monitor existing sites.
Before any swim spot can be opened, Sydney Water makes every effort to ensure:
- water quality at the site meets requirements for swimming or other water-based recreational activities according to the NSW water quality objectives
- physical hazards have been addressed with things like shark netting and signage
- there are no toxic bacteria present and that algae outbreaks won't be a nuisance
- we've identified possible hazardous organisms and dealt with them
- there are no dangerous levels of chemicals in the water and sediment.
The RiverWatch microbial monitoring program follows the National Health and Medical Research Council's Guidelines for managing risks in recreational water and the NSW Water Quality Objectives. It's aligned with similar recreational water quality monitoring programs such as Beachwatch to maintain a consistent approach across Sydney.
How you'll know when water quality changes
Water quality at any natural swim spot can vary depending on weather, tides and other factors. When you check out your local swim spot, you'll see today's water quality readings. We update the predicted water quality at each swim spot every day. Daily swim spot reports come from various reliable sources:
- our RiverWatch predictive model (665 KB) developed in conjunction with the predictive modelling expertise of UNSW
- NSW Beachwatch
- specially installed water quality monitoring devices at some swim spots.
Note, the output of the RiverWatch predictive model is a prediction of water quality only and is not 100% accurate. As such, Sydney Water cannot guarantee the accuracy of any of the results or outputs from this model.
While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk and you release us from any claim alleging that the results are inaccurate or that they are not fit for their purpose.
Urban Plunge webinar series
Can the platypus save our rivers? Lessons from across Australia
Platypus are a truly unique animal, an important part of our natural ecosystems and they can be found in our urban waterways. As we further urbanise we are impacting their habitat, changing both the flow dynamics and water quality. This, in turn, affects their food supply – aquatic macroinvertebrates and habitat.
This webinar has hand-picked case studies from across South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales where the elusive platypus is driving change in waterway management. Watch now to see how important platypus are to protecting our waterways in Australia
Great design and innovative tech - how Sydney Water is tackling urban waterway health challenges
Healthy waterways are critical to supporting the liveability of Greater Sydney, adding value to our urban green spaces, supporting the cultural and recreational needs of our people, and providing essential habitat for the species that call them home.
This webinar showcases a series of innovative, home-grown Sydney Water projects that aim to enrich the health and amenity of our waterways.
Visualising the potential for swimming in Greater Sydney’s waterways
Watch the first in a series of our Urban Plunge webinars. Chris Romer-Lee from Studio Octopi joined Sydney Water's Senior Waterways Analyst Hannah McKnight to discuss how creative design can open up new areas for swimming.
Hear about the range of new concept designs, developed to help others visualise the potential for swimming under a range of different conditions experienced across Greater Sydney.
Chris also shares inspiring international examples of swimming sites, including Thames Baths (London), Saltcoats Bathing Pond and Tarlair Outdoor Pool (Scotland), as well as various other international examples that have influenced Chris and his studio's work.
Visualising the potential for swimming
Opening new swimming sites is complex and no 2 sites are the same. We have partnered with Studio Octopi to demonstrate what is possible in Greater Sydney Waterways. By drawing from precedents around the globe, this document is designed to inspire and encourage all those involved in the championing and delivery of swim sites to visualise the potential for swimming across a range of locations, the barriers and the design solutions suggested will be relevant to a range of real-life opportunities and challenges.
This document will be of interest to all those wanting to champion swim sites as members of the community, from councils, government agencies and for technical experts and designers.
Please get in touch with the Urban Plunge team if you would like to know more about this report or how we can help you bring forward a site urbanplunge@sydneywater.com.au.
Fact sheets and other resources
RiverWatch swim site activation (1 MB)
RiverWatch water quality monitoring (870 KB)
RiverWatch chemical assessment program (1003 KB)
RiverWatch predictive model (665 KB)
What causes pollution in the catchment in dry weather (1 MB)
What causes pollution in the catchment in wet weather (2 MB)