Testing times for Northern Territory swim spot

Swimmers could soon return to a once popular Northern Territory swimming hole.

However, the return of swimmers to the water at Howard Springs Nature Park 35 kilometres south east of Darwin could come at the expense of the giant barramundi that used to call the springs home.

Contractors have been testing the water at the park in the hope the bacteria levels will have fallen enough to make it safe for swimming.

The testing followed months of work cleaning the springs and cutting back vegetation around the edge that saw giant barramundi removed from the park while the water was drained.

Acting Regional Director for Northern Region Parks Barry Scott said the tests will be assessed by the local management committee to see if it is safe to resume swimming.

For decades Howard Springs Nature Park has been one of the Northern Territory's favourite swimming holes. However, they have been closed to swimmers since 2006 due to high levels of e.coli and other bacteria in the water.

Scott said the barramundi had contributed to the water's contamination and their return would depend on the results of water testing, stating "we have taken them out for now to do some testing and see what the water's like without them.

"If the water tests OK but it's marginal then we probably wouldn't put them back in there.

"If it looks like it's going to be safe to put them back in there then we will."

Scott said if the testing deemed the water still unsafe for swimming the park could be turned into a wildlife sanctuary.