Pollution can make its way into the river through multiple sources and in varying forms, including:© Copyright 2020 - Yarra Riverkeeper Association - Web Design by

But this growth came at a cost.

We calculated flows in the Nepean River can contain

Of the indicators, only one – post-settlement colonial heritage – was assessed as ‘good’, while 18 were labelled ‘poor’.

Yarra River water quality Yarra River health concerns Thursday, 20 January 2005 The Victorian Government must thoroughly analyse Yarra River water quality, following the illnesses of three kayakers and the recent deaths of 100 eels, said the state’s peak green group.

Water data and education Forecasting Between 1 December 2019 and 9 March 2020, Yarra Watch forecasts for four sites along the Yarra River twice a day. But the capture and extraction of the Yarra’s water to supply residences, factories and farms in the Greater Melbourne area has significantly altered both the quantity and pattern of river flows.

Volunteer groups like Friends of Stony Creek have been helping us collect water quality data for over 20 years. While the Yarra water quality may be poorer, authorities at least offer advice to river users to guide safe swimming.Michelle Ryan consults to industry, community groups and to local Government agencies.


But the Wurundjeri believed that they had simply taken part in a friendship ceremony, and were granting Batman leave to pass through their country. Yarra Valley Water, with Melbourne Water and South East Water, provide an update following the Boil Water Advisory notification that we issued on Friday 28 August. Every year our independent laboratory collects and tests over 7,000 samples, whilst we monitor the water supply at selected representative customer taps in 32 separate water quality zones. We also assessed what information is available to inform people of the rivers’ suitability for swimming.We also compared bacteria results according to rainfall.

Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and turn up the sound!The Yarra River crosses an enormous range of habitats – from pristine forested catchments, to a range of agricultural lands and onto dense urban areas:More than 25 unique vegetation communities make their home along the river and its billabongs, wetlands and swamps:

Community groups, land owners and managers can access grants, education and support for activities to improve river health.Learn about the catchment’s major waterways, and the health of key environmental and social values that they support.In recent decades, developments such as the Victorian Arts Centre, Southbank, the Exhibition Centre, Federation Square and Docklands have transformed the waterfront. We pay our respects to Wurundjeri, Bunurong and Wadawurrung, their Elders past, present and future, as Traditional Owners and the custodians of the land and water on which we rely and operate.

Many cultural sites are still with us today – like the Yarra Flats dreaming, and the Heide Scar tree and Bolin Bolin Billabong in Bulleen. It was simple to get advice on water quality for swimming at four locations on the Yarra River on the “Faecal bacterial data is actually collected in the Nepean and other rivers by NSW government agencies.

One-third of Victoria’s animal species are found in the Yarra catchment, including:The stretch of the Yarra River between Warburton and Warrandyte has been identified as a Victorian Heritage River. It must issue health warnings when it detects hazardous bacterial results in the river.But in western Sydney, swimmers and other river users have no such guidance. Every year, our independent laboratory collects …

Rivers, wetlands and estuaries each have a different set of conditions that support their environmental values: from their physical shape and vegetation, to the amount of water that flows through them.Not all waterway features can be effectively assessed and tracked.

The decision to go swimming in the Nepean River can therefore be a gamble. After heavy rain in the previous week, the E. coli bacteria levels spiked. We have a comprehensive water quality monitoring program to ensure that the water we supply is high quality and pleasant to drink. Cooling off with a swim in the river is a popular summer pastime in Australia, particularly for people who live a long distance from the beach.But urban waterways often have poor water quality, and If you intend to swim in the Nepean, avoid swimming after rain.

About

This iconic river flows 242 kilometres from its source on Mt Baw Baw in the Yarra Ranges National Park, north-east of Melbourne, all the way to Port Phillip Bay. The Wurundjeri people have always had a deep connection to the river. To find out more about what happened and our response, follow the link below.

eWater CRC worked on local water management issues in partnership with organisations in Victoria.
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University

The community and authorities need to come together to take a closer interest in the Yarra’s ecology.