North Sydney Water Management
North Sydney has recently prepared this Water Management Plan 2004 (download above) using the International Council for Local Environmental Initatives (ICLEI) Water Campaign Framework. The Water Campaign is an international water management campaign that focuses specifically on water resource issues. It provides a framework for the systematic identification, evaluation and management of water resource issues facing local government at the corporate, community and catchment levels.
Water Quality Monitoring Program
Water quality monitoring is a useful technique to assess the health of the water and to determine if the management practices in place are effective. Council initiated monthly water quality monitoring in early 1999 to assess the effectiveness of stormwater management practices.
The monitoring program collects water samples from Quarry Creek, Willoughby Creek, Forsyth Creek, Careening Cove, Waverton Creek and Berrys Creek. Each sample is analysed for a range of physical and chemical parameters.
In general, the water quality in North Sydney's creeks is very poor. The monitoring program is used to assess the suitability of water for aquatic ecosystems and human recreation. Over the period of monitoring these results shows if water quality is improving, deteriotating or remaining unchanged.
Map of Water Quality in North Sydney (338KB)
Biological Monitoring
The biological monitoring program predominately assesses macroinvertebrates (small water insects) but alsoobserves algae coverage and stream condition. Biological monitoring was introduced to provide information on stream ecology, habitat and hydrological impacts. When combined with the water quality data it provides a more holistic assessment of the system's condition.
Biological monitoring was introduced in 2001 at Berry and Quarry Creeks. The creeks are sampled every spring and autumn. The streams studies reflect the impact of urban land uses and also show the effects of variable flow (drought followed by a number of high flow events). The large number of impervious surfaces results in high velocity runoff which scours streambeds and washes out biota, leaving a selection of organisms that 'cling' to substrates and find refuge in bottom sediments.
If you would like more information on water management at Council contact the Environmental Management Officer on 9936 8100.
