Waterwatch is a statewide program in which residents, schools and community groups monitor and manage their local waterways.
The program aims to build community understanding of water-quality issues and encourage monitoring groups to take constructive action to rectify water-quality problems.
Regular monitoring provides an awareness and increased knowledge of the impacts on waterways. It determines whether the quality is improving, declining or being maintained and can lead to positive initiatives for improving waterway quality.
Waterwatch coordinators help schools, individuals and community groups use water-quality monitoring equipment and assessment procedures.
Participants monitor their waterways regularly through the year, on a monthly or quarterly basis. Waterwatch always welcomes new volunteers – individuals, schools or community groups. You don't need a lot of scientific expertise, just an interest in the health of your local waterway.
The Waterwatch program within the City of Melbourne is funded by Melbourne Water and Melbourne City Council . Waterwatch programs are often run alongside Park Ranger Education and Junior Ranger programs.
Waterwatch training
Interested in learning what's really going on in your local creek, wetlands or river? Can frogs, platypus or even native fish survive in your waterway?
Waterwatch Melbourne run free river health training sessions for teachers, community groups and individuals wishing to help improve their river health monitoring skills by regularly testing the water.
You will learn the different sampling techniques, including aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling and identification, how the data you collect is used and how to develop a monitoring plan. Its fun, free and very easy to do!
Or see the schedule at Waterwatch Melbourne.
Waterwatch in Schools
Our activities integrate the Victorian Essential Learning guidelines into our activities. We cater for all age groups from pre-school to tertiary and focus on local river health issues.
If transport and time are a problem for schools we arrange an in schools program looking at water quality issues. Healthy Waterways Waterwatch provides all of the equipment and necessary to be involved in the exciting hands-on program.
For an outline of our activities visit the program page at Merri Creek Management Committee.
Contact Waterwatch
To register your interest in monitoring City of Melbourne waterways, contact:
Trevor Hausler
Healthy Waterways Waterwatch Coordinator
Merri and Moonee Ponds Creeks, including Lower Yarra River
Phone: (03) 9380 8199
Email: trevor.hausler@mcmc.org.au
Web: www.mcmc.org.au
Further information