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.
Riddells Creek Water Watch Test Results Summary - June 2018 to June 2019
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pH GOOD
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This indicates if water is alkaline (pH >7), neutral (7) or acid (<7).
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Creek DO is consistently high; >10 mg/L even when flow has stopped and only pools remain.
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Nitrogen (NH4+) GOOD
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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.
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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
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Similar to excess Nitrogen, Phosphate can cause algal blooms. Phosphate can enter the waterway from runoff, for example from poultry farms.
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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
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Turbidity is basically how cloudy the water is. A standardised viewing tube is used to measure turbidity.
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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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