Water Quality Monitoring

Water quality is an important indicator for the health of our waterways and waterbodies, as well as the broader landscape. Often it is our waterways, waterbodies, farm dams, wetlands and coastal areas that are the first to show that there is pollution or environmental stress occurring upstream or nearby.

Land clearing urbanisation, agriculture and aquaculture, illegal dumping of rubbish and pollutants and climate change can all impact waterway health. Changes in water quality are not always visible, which is why monitoring and testing are important tools for understanding the condition of our waterways. Regular monitoring can show us changes in quality over time and indicate bigger environmental issues within the landscape. Testing water quality and observing waterbugs can provide valuable insights into the overall health of a waterway.

Undertaking Landcare activites like riparian restoration (removing weeds and re-planting with native plants), fencing off waterways from stock, managing waste appropiately and planting vegetation to reduce soil erosion, can significantly maintain and enhance water quality. Planting vegetation also provides vital shade, structure, food and habitat, and filteration for our waterways.

Water Monitoring in Tasmania

Since 1994, the Tasmanian Government has monitored river condition statewide through the River Health Monitoring Program (RHMP). This program uses apid assessment methods such as AusRivAS (Australian River Assessment System) which analyse waterbug communities and habitat indicators such as algae and sediment levels. The results support water management, catchment assessments, environmental monitoring and State of the Environment reporting, and are published on the Water Information Tasmania data portal.

Community Water Monitoring

Waterwatch Australia is a community-based water monitoring program that began in Australia in the early 1990s. It was established to involve volunteers, schools and local groups in collecting water quality data and learning about local waterways.

In Tasmania, Waterwatch programs have supported community monitoring of rivers, streams and estuaries, with volunteers trained to test indicators such as pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, temperature and nutrients. Several states and territories currently run their own Waterwatch programs, including Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Waterbugs are freshwater macroinveterates that live in our waterways and are imporant indicators of the health of that particular waterway and surronding environment. Different species have different tolerances to pollution and environmental change. Because of this, the types of waterbugs present in a waterway can provide a strong indication of its ecological health. Monitoring waterbug communities is a key part of many river health assessments in Australia.

Landcare Tasmania Water Monitoring

Landcare Tasmania supports Landcare groups and members with water quality by:

- facilitating water quality and water bug training events with local experts

- providing funding opportunities for riparian restoration projects through our Tasmanian Landcare Fund

- securing federal grants to deliver water focused projects like the five- year Australian Government funded Farm Dam Enhancement project

- providing testing equipment and resources to members for loan

- connecting groups with Councils and other research bodies

- partnering with groups like the Upper Huon Wildlife Monitoring Group and Huon Valley Council to seek Stae funding to support a Waterwatch pilot program

Learn about the 2022-25 Watewatch Pilot Program in the Huon Valley

Learn about our 2025-30 Catchment Connect- Farm Dam Enhancment Project