Suburban pools fail tests due on levels of dangerous bacteria

Sydney councils have rejected claims their swimming pools contain dangerous levels of bacteria.

Independent tests found five pools maintained by the Olympic Park Authority, Ryde, Sydney City and Liverpool councils failed tests on the levels of heterotrophic bacteria clusters.

These clusters can be a breading ground for more serious bacteria like Legionella.

The NSW health department says it's had no reported illness linked to swimming pool bacteria in recent months.