Interim results from a landmark study of the historic Lake Parramatta at North Parramatta suggest that the Lake's 'no swimming ' signs could soon come down.

Several community surveys have found that many people want to again be able to swim in the Lake, a popular local swimming venue until the 1970s.

For the past two years a team lead by Professor Nick Ashbolt and Dr David Roser from the Centre for Water and Waste Technology at the University of New South Wales has been studying the health of the Lake Parramatta for the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust.

The aim of the study is to find out if the water in the Lake is good enough to swim in and, if it isn't, what needs to be done to make it swimmable.

The team's provisional findings are that the water in the main part of the Lake meets the national standards for swimming during dry weather. The Lake would still need to be closed to swimming for a few days after heavy rain. The final stage of the study will look at how long it takes for the Lake's water quality to recover after rainfall.

Whilst this is happening, the Trust will be working with Parramatta City Council to identify and deal with any physical risks to swimming in the Lake. If all goes well, Council may be able to allow swimming in the Lake again, possibly by the summer after next.

Stephen Lees, the Executive Officer of the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust, added:

"Whilst we won't be able to swim in Lake Parramatta by 2005, swimming by 2007 is a real possibility. This is something we have dreamed about for many years. Everyone's good work in keeping pollutants out of our waterways appears to be paying off."

For more information please contact the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust on 9891 4633 or visit the website www.uprct.nsw.gov.au.

(Photo courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales)