Improving and protecting water quality

Why water quality is important in the upper Murrumbidgee

Water is the most precious resource in the second driest continent on earth.   As the ancient Mariner reminds us- it is not only the quantity of water that is important- but the quality as well!   

The upper Murrumbidgee River is the water supply for Cooma and Canberra- our nation’s capital.   High quality water is vital for ensuring a reliable water supply- as polluted water is costly and difficult to treat to potable standard.  The catchment’s agricultural sector relies on the river for stock watering and irrigation, while the upper Murrumbidgee is a prized recreational area for swimming, fishing and kayaking.  Blue green algal blooms and high bacterial levels may make water unsuitable for agriculture (such as stock watering) and recreation.  A decline in water quality also degrades the cultural values of the river important to the Ngunnawal and Ngarigo peoples.

Water quality is an important aspect of healthy ecosystem function.  For example, blue green algal blooms and black water events can cause fish kills.  It is also an important aspect of ensuring productivity of the food webs in upland streams.  Reductions in water quality means diversity and abundance of waterbugs declines- impacting platypus who rely on this food source for their entire diet.   Macquarie perch have keen eyesight and rely on clear waters to hunt for their food.

While most water quality parameters which are regularly tested along the upper Murrumbidgee River are usually within acceptable limits, there are major ongoing issues with turbidity and sedimentation, as well as the impacts of stormwater associated with urbanised areas.   Low flows and climate change are exacerbating water quality concerns,  with algal blooms and high bacterial levels being reported in the river affecting river health and uses such as recreation.