Dogs and their owners can now legally swim together in the Barton Springs spillway.

City Council approved an ordinance Dec. 11 that overturned a decision earlier this year to prohibit dogs from swimming in the creek. Law enforcement also announced in August stricter enforcement against smoking and drinking at the site.

The area went unenforced for many years, allowing people to bring their dogs to swim and play, but previously unenforced laws began being enforced in August after studies revealed bacteria in that area was much more concentrated than other area waterways—making the spillway a potential health hazard.

The waterway east of Barton Springs Pool is open for swimming, but parts of Lady Bird Lake west of the pool are still prohibited from use based on long-standing laws. Signage will be posted warning people to swim at their own risk because of bacteria, Parks and Recreation Department Director Sara Hensley said.