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WaterWatch

Waterwatch Victoria connects local communities with river health and sustainable water issues and management.  

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Since 2008 Greening of Riddell has monitored the quality of the water in Riddells Creek. 

 

The graph below illustrates pH and Electrical Conductivity.

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It showed our creek has a clean bill of health.

 

Image: Students from the Riddells Creek Primary School learn the science of water testing from Karl Jesser, Greening of Riddell’s Waterwatch tester in July 2022.

Students Water Watch
Water Watch Graph - Riddells Creek

 

Riddells Creek Water Watch Test Results Summary - June 2018 to June 2019

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pH    GOOD       

  • This indicates if water is alkaline (pH >7), neutral (7) or acid (<7).  

  • Creek pH range is between 8 and 7.4 ph units with the higher readings during summer periods (or longer) when the creek flow stops and pools remain.

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Electrical Conductivity (EC)    GOOD       

  • EC refers to electrical conductivity and is used as a measure of the salinity of water. For example, even salinity sensitive plants tolerate up to 700 µS/cm and drinking water salinity limit is 2500 µS/cm.

  • Creek EC range is between 400 µS/cm & 3800 µS/cm however when the creek is flowing, consistent EC of 400-440 µS/cm is recorded with measurements increasing over time when creek flow stops.

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Dissolved Oxygen (DO)    GOOD

  • DO is measured in mg/L and when compared to water temperature provides a percentage of dissolved oxygen in the water; essential to support water plant and animal life.

  • Creek DO is consistently high; >10 mg/L even when flow has stopped and only pools remain.

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Nitrogen (NH4+)    GOOD

  • Excess Nitrogen can cause algal blooms. Nitrogen can enter the waterway from runoff or can develop due to the breakdown of organic matter, resulting in a decrease in oxygen levels.

  • Very low Nitrogen (below the minimum test level) has been recorded in the creek, even following the occasional heavy rain event.

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Phosphate (P)    GOOD

  • Similar to excess Nitrogen, Phosphate can cause algal blooms. Phosphate can enter the waterway from runoff, for example from poultry farms.

  • Very low Phosphate has been recorded; 0.01 mg/L – 0.03 mg/L, even following the occasional heavy rain event.

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Turbidity   GOOD

  • Turbidity is basically how cloudy the water is. A standardised viewing tube is used to measure turbidity.

  • Creek water is consistently clear even following the occasional heavy rain event. In the last 2 months of Autumn, turbidity did increase slightly in the remaining pools.

 

Overall, a continuing good report card for the preceding 12 months of water monitoring!

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