Council is implementing a biological and chemical water quality monitoring program targeting the following 5 main creek systems within its local government area:

• Terry's Creek
• Shrimptons Creek
• Porters Creek
• Buffalo Creek
• Archers Creek

The program began in September 2004 and is being delivered over 7 years. Sampling occurs each year during the months of Spring and Autumn. For more information, contact Council's Environment Unit on 9952 8222.

Water Quality Monitoring Working Group

The program is guided by the City’s Water Quality Monitoring Working Group, which comprises of 4 community representatives and 5 City professional staff, with meetings held quarterly.

Monitoring Water Quality

The City is also part of a separate macro-biological monitoring program being conducted in the Middle Harbour and Lane Cove River Catchments since 2001 involving Willoughby, North Sydney, Lane Cove, Hunters Hill, Kuringai and Ryde Councils.

Biological sampling is undertaken to monitor the amount of and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in creeks. Macroinvertebrates are bugs in the water that are big enough to see without the aid of a microscope. Chemical monitoring involves measuring characteristics of the water in a creek using a probe (for example, the level of dissolved oxygen and turbidity), and taking water samples back to the laboratory to measure characteristics such as amounts of nitrogen and faecal coliforms in the creek.

The number of macroinvertebrate species and individuals can be used to monitor water quality because some species are more tolerant to pollution and poor conditions than others. If a creek is healthy, it will have many different kinds of species of macroinvertebrates, including those that are sensitive to pollution. If only a few different species are present in a creek (particularly those that are well known for their tolerance to pollution), this would suggest that the water quality in the creek is degraded. Biological monitoring provides a more reliable indicator of the overall water quality and creek health because aquatic macroinvertebrates are exposed and respond to a full range of water quality conditions, including impacts from pollution, litter and excess nutrients.

Combining both chemical and biological parameters is complementary. Biological monitoring provides a long-term indication of the quality of the water and creek health. Chemical monitoring reflects the quality of the water at the time of sampling. This may change throughout the year, but specific problems can be identified and acted upon by the council or other relevant bodies (such as Sydney Water and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage).

Biological and Water Quality Monitoring Reports

Sydney Water Reports for City of Ryde

• Autumn 2011 (PDF 1.6 MB)
• Spring 2010 (PDF 4.9 MB)
  - Presentation from Sydney Water (PDF 1.1 MB)
• Autumn 2010 (PDF 4.2 MB) - (dated December 2009)
• Spring 2009 (PDF 4.0 MB) - (dated December 2009)
• Autumn 2009 (PDF 1.4 MB) - (dated July 2009)
• Spring 2008 (PDF 1.7 MB) - (dated January 2009)
• Autumn 2008 (PDF 2.1 MB) - (dated July 2008)
• Spring 2007 (PDF 4.5 MB) - (dated December 2007)
• Spring 2006 (PDF 739 KB) - (dated December 2006)

Lane Cove Invertebrate Monitoring Program

• UTS Report - Spring 2006 (PDF 999 KB) - (dated February 2007)

Ecowise Reports for City of Ryde

• Autumn 2006 (PDF 1.1 MB) - (dated July 2006)
• Spring 2005 (PDF 2.7 MB) - (dated December 2005)
• Autumn 2005 (PDF 2.6 MB) - (dated September 2005)
• Spring 2004 (PDF 1.3 MB) - (dated March 2005)

Middle Harbour and Lane Cove Macrobiological Monitoring Program

• Biotrack Final Report 2005 (PDF 287 KB) - (dated June 2005)