Swimmers are free to frolic in Lake Wakatipu once more.

Routine water quality monitoring showed elevated levels of E. coli bacteria at Queenstown Bay near the town centre yesterday, leading to a swimming ban.

But Queenstown Lakes District Council chief engineer Ulrich Glaner says levels have now subsided, and the area is safe for swimming.

He says routine water quality testing will continue as usual and the community will be updated if anything changes.