WATER quality at four Great Ocean Road estuaries has improved, but not enough to guarantee swimmers’ health.

Colac Otway Shire Council has re-tested the water at Skenes Creek, Wye River, Separation Creek and Kennett River’s estuaries, after tests on January 11 found unsafe levels of bacteria.

The council warned people against swimming in the water and put up signs at the sites to inform people of the contamination.

“The bacteria counts have improved, but not consistently enough to re-open the estuaries for swimming,” a council spokeswoman said.

Council health and community services manager Greg Fletcher has previously said the contamination was “most likely from animal manure washed into the waterways by the isolated but heavy downpours of rain we have received since New Year’s Eve”.