Waterwatch

What is Waterwatch?

Waterwatch is a national community water quality monitoring program that encourages all Australians to become involved and active in the protection and management of their waterways and catchments.

Who is Waterwatch?

Waterwatch involves local community groups such as Landcare, Park Care and Catchment groups, as well as residents, school and landowners who regularly monitor the water quality of local creeks, wetlands, lakes, rivers and stormwater drains.

Friends of Tidbinbilla Parkcare involved in
C.A.M.P.F.I.R.E (Community Assessment
Monitoring Program For Impacted River
Ecology) after January 18th 2003 bushfires.

Why Monitor?

Healthy catchments produce healthy ecosystems with happy fish, frogs, birds, plants, Macro-invertebrates and people. Waterwatch aims to aims to create awareness of water quality issues by involving all members of the community and by forming partnerships between the Waterwatch group and water authorities, resources management authorities, business and industry.

First Step

If you are interested in improving the health of your waterways and meeting or forming a group of likeminded individuals, you should begin by contacting your local Waterwatch Coordinator.

There are three Waterwatch Coordinators working in the major sub-catchments of the ACT: Tuggeranong District, Molonglo District and Ginninderra Creek District.

The Waterwatch coordinators provide support, training and work cooperatively with the Waterwatch groups establishing a community-based water quality monitoring network within and across catchments.

Anitra Kenny, Friends of Googong Parkcare,
waterwatching in Googong Dam.

Making a Difference

Water quality information collected throughout a catchment provides a picture of the health of your waterways. Waterwatch groups have initiated many positive, community based conservation activities such as creek restoration, willow removal, removing litter from waterways, eradicating weeds, development of habitats, and reducing the use of pesticides and other pollutants.

For more information visit www.act.waterwatch.org.au