Water Kit - Hunter Water
Water Kit - Hunter Water Water Kit - Hunter Water
1.7 impacts on catchment water quality Catchments and water quality The Hunter is one of few regions in the world with large protected catchments for its water sources.Very few people live in these catchment areas and public access, recreation and other activities that could degrade water quality are minimised. However, the water entering the major water storage and supply facilities can still be affected by land uses such as agriculture, forestry and urban development. These land uses can affect water quality through erosion and sedimentation of soil, application of pesticides, fertilisers and other chemicals over the land, and through high levels of nutrients and bacteria from animal wastes. Despite having well-protected water supply catchments, many factors impact on the Hunter catchment and may therefore still impact on the water supply. These can be divided into human and non-human (or ‘natural’) impacts on the waterways. Good vegetation cover on riverbanks reduces erosion and turbidity Natural influences oN catchment water quality Geology and soil types Much of the Lower Hunter floodplain is underlain by sedimentary rock formed during the Permian geological period. At that time brackish swamps with naturally high salt levels covered the area. This salty bedrock and associated groundwater now sit relatively close to the surface. Erosion can expose the salty rock material and evaporation and capillary action combine to bring the salty groundwater to the surface. Rainfall over these areas dissolves salts and transports them to local waterways. Basalt is naturally high in phosphorus and is the main geology of the Barrington Tops, which form the headwaters of the Williams River catchment. This area includes old volcanoes and rock formed from basalt flows and dykes during the Tertiary geological period. Weathering basalt and erosion of basaltic soils contributes phosphorus to waterways. Vegetation cover Vegetation coverage maintains cleaner water by minimising erosion, dryland salinity and filtering surface water. The loss of riparian vegetation makes riverbanks more prone to erosion as the deep roots that once stabilised the soil are removed. Erosion of the riverbank results in increased sediment in waterways, affecting water quality parameters such as turbidity and dissolved oxygen. Clearing native vegetation is also a major cause of dryland salinity. Removing this deep-rooted vegetation results in salty groundwater rising towards the surface through evaporation. As water flows over land affected by salinity, it dissolves salts and transports these into nearby waterways. Climate Climate affects the volume of water in waterways, either diluting or concentrating contaminants. Climate can fluctuate greatly, bringing about major changes in water quantity in a relatively short period of time. For instance, during 2001-02 water flow in the Williams River ranged from three ML/day to more than 11,000 ML/day. Human influences oN catchment water quality Urban and industrial development The ongoing development of industry and expansion of urban areas can have a major impact on water quality. Large areas of vegetation are often cleared, soil erosion increases, and stormwater runoff from these areas become a major source of nutrients, litter, heavy metals, and bacteria entering waterways. Stormwater pollution Stormwater can flow at high velocities and is therefore capable of eroding river and stream banks and carrying large quantities of litter. Stormwater can also transport less noticeable forms of pollution such as detergents from people washing their cars, nutrients from garden fertilisers and heavy metals into the water supply. Plastics and metals can cause harm to aquatic life and birds, and the addition of nutrients leads to algal blooms, some of which may be toxic eg cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Agricultural runoff Fertilisers and animal wastes contribute nutrients to waterways. While nutrients are essential to all life, an excess of nutrients can bring ill health to waterways. Nutrients of particular concern are nitrogen and phosphorus. High concentrations of these in waterways cause excessive growth of macrophytes (large water plants), algae, diatoms and blue-green algae. Decomposition of these plants can decrease dissolved oxygen, causing fish kills and affecting other aquatic life. Agricultural herbicides and pesticides can also pollute waterways via runoff, causing a decline in the health of aquatic plant and animal life. Vegetation clearing and land cropping can expose the soil and accelerate erosion, adding more sediment and organic matter to the waterway. Animal waste dissolves in runoff and adds bacteria and nutrients to the water course. Recreational activities Recreational activities, such as boating, can create soil erosion and be a source of pollutants such as greases, oils, nutrients, sediment and litter. Weed seeds can be transported from one waterway to another by being carried on boats and their equipment. Water kit . ssS . 001 . april 2010 18
Monitoring the Hunter catchment The population and diversity of aquatic life are easily affected by environmental stresses. Organisations such as Hunter Water, the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (HCRCMA), Landcare and Waterwatch monitor water quality to keep a check on the health of waterways and the stresses they face. Water quality monitoring involves checking for changes in aquatic (biological) life, as well as physical and chemical parameters. Hunter Water works with the HCRMA, the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Natural Resources, Fisheries, the Department of Primary Industries, landholders and community groups to protect our catchments and the quality of local water supply. Managing the human impacts on our waterways Managing human impacts on local waterways isn’t just the responsibility of government and industry. Since we all use and rely on clean water for our existence, we all have a role to play. Obtain expert advice Contact Waterwatch, Bushcare, Landcare, Dunecare, Councils, Hunter Water or the CMA for advice about water-related issues. Show others what can be achieved Set a good example for friends, family and neighbours by conserving water and provide encouragement for people become involved and learn more. Join a community group Join a local environmental community group and play an active and rewarding role in protecting your environment and your local catchment area. Don’t overuse detergents and cleaners Wash vehicles on the lawn, keep fertilisers and manure away from gutters and stormwater drains and use lowphosphorus detergents. Choose the right product Purchase and use environmentally friendly products, recycle where possible and properly dispose of waste material. These measures can reduce wate to landfill requirements and minimise pollution entering waterways. Keep sediment out of our waterways Stop suspended particles such as salt, clay, sand and silt entering waterways. These sediments can reduce light penetration needed for photosynthesis and absorb heat, which warms the water and reduces oxygen levels needed by aquatic fauna. Maintain grass and tree cover Good grass and tree coverage minimises soil washing into gutters, drains and waterways. Keep organic matter out of the waterways Ensure organic matter from your property including leaf litter, animal droppings, lawn clippings and compost material does not find its way into gutters, drains or any other waterways. Safely store and dispose of pollutants Dispose of pollutants thoughtfully by taking them to the appropriate collection point and ensure that all containers are secure. Special care should be taken with sump oil, paints, pesticides, fertilisers, chemicals and poisons. Students take a ‘catchment crawl’ along the Williams River Native grasses prevent sediment from entering waterways Water kit . ssS . 001 . april 2010 19
- Page 1 and 2: Water kit . ssS . 001 . april 2010
- Page 3 and 4: introduction to water supply WATER
- Page 5 and 6: introduction WHY STUDY WATER? Water
- Page 7 and 8: 1.1 the water cycle INTRODUCTION Mo
- Page 9 and 10: BREAKING THE WATER CYCLE To supply
- Page 11 and 12: Hunter Water’s area of operations
- Page 13 and 14: Protecting and managing the catchme
- Page 15 and 16: Water From The Mountains Chichester
- Page 17 and 18: Rewarding Water Conservation A new
- Page 19 and 20: Main infrastructure of Hunter Water
- Page 21 and 22: 1.6 the managing groundwater supply
- Page 23: Water Sharing Plan for the Tomago,
- Page 27 and 28: Environmental Hunter Water: • Dev
- Page 29 and 30: The Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) was
- Page 31 and 32: labour is invested on the site annu
- Page 33 and 34: influences on water supply in the h
- Page 35 and 36: ainfall patterns and water supply w
- Page 37 and 38: managing water supply sustainably w
- Page 39 and 40: 1.8 Sustainability & Water Supply S
- Page 41 and 42: Links with THE Syllabus Used collec
- Page 43 and 44: Integrated Water Resource Plan The
- Page 45 and 46: 2.2 being waterwise at home Our wat
- Page 47 and 48: 2.3 being waterwise at school Water
- Page 49 and 50: 2.4 school water audit Why DO A wat
- Page 51 and 52: 2.6 think twice water saving campai
- Page 53 and 54: design a water saving campaign work
- Page 55 and 56: assessing water conservation scheme
- Page 57 and 58: 8 Use wetlands to store stormwater
- Page 59 and 60: water audits - a case study workshe
- Page 61 and 62: desktop water audit worksheet 4 Ask
- Page 63 and 64: asic water audit worksheet 5 Leakin
- Page 65 and 66: environmental audit protocol worksh
- Page 67 and 68: water conservation resource list 2.
- Page 69 and 70: Links with THE Syllabus Used collec
- Page 71 and 72: These controls specify the quality
- Page 73 and 74: wwtw population communities daily v
Monitoring the <strong>Hunter</strong><br />
catchment<br />
The population and diversity of aquatic<br />
life are easily affected by environmental<br />
stresses. Organisations such as <strong>Hunter</strong><br />
<strong>Water</strong>, the <strong>Hunter</strong>-Central Rivers<br />
Catchment Management Authority<br />
(HCRCMA), Landcare and <strong>Water</strong>watch<br />
monitor water quality to keep a check on<br />
the health of waterways and the stresses<br />
they face. <strong>Water</strong> quality monitoring<br />
involves checking for changes in aquatic<br />
(biological) life, as well as physical and<br />
chemical parameters.<br />
<strong>Hunter</strong> <strong>Water</strong> works with the HCRMA,<br />
the Department of Environment and<br />
Conservation, the Department of Planning,<br />
Infrastructure and Natural Resources,<br />
Fisheries, the Department of Primary<br />
Industries, landholders and community<br />
groups to protect our catchments and the<br />
quality of local water supply.<br />
Managing the human impacts<br />
on our waterways<br />
Managing human impacts on local<br />
waterways isn’t just the responsibility of<br />
government and industry. Since we all use<br />
and rely on clean water for our existence,<br />
we all have a role to play.<br />
Obtain expert advice<br />
Contact <strong>Water</strong>watch, Bushcare,<br />
Landcare, Dunecare, Councils, <strong>Hunter</strong><br />
<strong>Water</strong> or the CMA for advice about<br />
water-related issues.<br />
Show others what can be achieved<br />
Set a good example for friends, family<br />
and neighbours by conserving water<br />
and provide encouragement for people<br />
become involved and learn more.<br />
Join a community group<br />
Join a local environmental community<br />
group and play an active and rewarding<br />
role in protecting your environment and<br />
your local catchment area.<br />
Don’t overuse detergents and cleaners<br />
Wash vehicles on the lawn, keep<br />
fertilisers and manure away from gutters<br />
and stormwater drains and use lowphosphorus<br />
detergents.<br />
Choose the right product<br />
Purchase and use environmentally friendly<br />
products, recycle where possible and<br />
properly dispose of waste material.<br />
These measures can reduce wate to<br />
landfill requirements and minimise<br />
pollution entering waterways.<br />
Keep sediment out of our waterways<br />
Stop suspended particles such as salt,<br />
clay, sand and silt entering waterways.<br />
These sediments can reduce light<br />
penetration needed for photosynthesis<br />
and absorb heat, which warms the water<br />
and reduces oxygen levels needed by<br />
aquatic fauna.<br />
Maintain grass and tree cover<br />
Good grass and tree coverage minimises<br />
soil washing into gutters, drains and<br />
waterways.<br />
Keep organic matter out of the<br />
waterways<br />
Ensure organic matter from your property<br />
including leaf litter, animal droppings, lawn<br />
clippings and compost material does not<br />
find its way into gutters, drains or any other<br />
waterways.<br />
Safely store and dispose of pollutants<br />
Dispose of pollutants thoughtfully by<br />
taking them to the appropriate collection<br />
point and ensure that all containers are<br />
secure. Special care should be taken with<br />
sump oil, paints, pesticides, fertilisers,<br />
chemicals and poisons.<br />
Students take a ‘catchment crawl’ along the Williams River<br />
Native grasses prevent sediment from entering waterways<br />
<strong>Water</strong> kit . ssS . 001 . april 2010<br />
19
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