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Introduction
The City of Ryde is implementing a biological and chemical water quality monitoring program targeting the following 5 main creek systems within its local government area:
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Terry's Creek |
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Terrys Creek
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Shrimptons Creek
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Porters Creek
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Buffalo Creek
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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 the City of Ryde Environment Unit on 9952 8222.
Water Quality Monitoring Strategy Steering Committee
The program is guided by the City’s Water Quality Monitoring Steering Committee, 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 Department of Environment and Climate Change).
Water Quality Monitoring Strategy
Water Quality Monitoring Strategy Reports
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