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Lower North Shore Regional Water Quality Monitoring Program

In NSW, the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) administers the legislation that is enacted to protect our environment. Water quality is a critical component of our environment, encompassing:

• drinking water
• recreational water (swimming, boating etc.)
• irrigation
• the habitat of thousands of plant and animal species.

The Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (ANZECC) issued revised Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality in 2000. DECC uses these guidelines as a basis for setting water quality standards in NSW. The guidelines provide regulators, industry, consultants, community groups, and catchment and water managers with a framework for conserving water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries and seas.

Local catchment monitoring

DECC requires local councils to monitor water quality in their catchments. In effect, the Beachwatch program has been expanded to local creeks and waterways. This local focus on water quality should result in finer monitoring and continually improving water quality for NSW residents and the environment.

Four councils on Sydney’s lower North Shore have been quick off the mark. In March this year, Lane Cove, North Sydney, Willoughby and Mosman councils contracted SESL to monitor their water over the next 5 years.

Water quality monitoring

Regular sampling and testing of water quality will allow the councils to gauge the long-term trends in the state of the environment. The monitoring results will be used to:

• protect both the land and the harbour from the effects of land-derived pollution
• assess both current and future conditions of waterways
• set baseline values for biological, physical and chemical indicators of water quality
• inform policy, procedures and practices designed to minimise the effects of land use on water quality
• ensure that both public health and ecosystem health are not adversely affected
• improve the aesthetic qualities of our environment
• reduce and eventually eliminate fish kills and algal blooms
• maintain cultural values
• minimise the introduction of sediment into waterways.

Sampling sites and frequency

SESL staff have begun collecting water samples at up to a dozen sites in each council area. Monthly water samples will be analysed for total P, total N, faecal coliform bacteria, suspended solids, copper, lead, zinc, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity and temperature. Samples will be collected in both dry weather and wet weather to show any effects of rainfall on pollutant runoff. Twice a year, animal samples (invertebrates such as crustaceans, insects and worms) will be collected to analyse the effects of pollutants on the growth and survival of these species as representatives of all local species.

All results will be compared with the ANZECC guideline values, which indicate possible detrimental effects. This will then identify where improvements need to be made.

First results

Early results have already revealed important information for water quality management on the lower North Shore. For example, results from June indicate that most water quality indicators were good, but high values of a few contaminants will help councils investigate possible sources and so improve the environment. Ultimately both people and the environment benefit. SESL looks forward to being part of the continued restoration of Sydney Harbour.

Further reading

ANZECC: Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality

DECC: Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW (PDF)

DECC: Water Quality

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