What is Streamwatch
Streamwatch is a long running water monitoring program run in partnership by Sydney Water and the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA). It supports local communities and schools across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Illawarra and Southern Highland regions. Streamwatch groups investigate and take action on water quality and catchment and ecosystem health.
Streamwatch began in 1990. There are now over 250 community, school and other groups that monitor water quality and macroinvertebrates (water bugs) across more than 600 sites. Streamwatch is closely connected with NSW Waterwatch.
Streamwatch can help evaluate the positive impacts of remediation projects and identify local issues so that action can be taken. Streamwatch data also provides an early warning system for pollution events and a historical record of how waterways have changed. The data and other information gathered by Streamwatch groups is available here. It is widely used by local councils, catchment management authorities, landowners and other land managers.
The program has strong quality assurance elements built in so that results are technically sound, reliable and useful.
The Streamwatch brochure outlines how the program works and the benefits of being involved.
Please contact us if you require more information.