The Waterwatch Snapshot, an annual stream health monitoring event, will take place on Wednesday 22 October 2014.

Regional schools and community groups will take to their local waterways in search of water bugs and test water to help provide a snapshot of how healthy the waterways in our catchments are.

The national water quality monitoring initiative was established in 1992 and connects local communities with river health and sustainable water issues and management.

Waterwatch makes a unique contribution to natural resource management by collecting credible water quality data that can be used to identify need for on-ground works, as well as monitoring and evaluating their impact.

“[The] Waterwatch Snapshot will help the students to understand how important the river systems are to our communities and the environment.” said Kerry Palmer, Central West LLS Waterwatch Coordinator.

Schools from Wellington, Geurie, Dubbo, Narromine, Warren and Quambone will visit six sites on the Macquarie River, to test the water for temperature, pH, turbidity, salt content as well as oxygen and phosphate levels to determine the river health.

The students will also collect water bug samples to determine a stream pollution index. These macro invertebrates are either sensitive or tolerant of different water quality within their natural environments. A further 11 sites along the river will have samples taken, by staff of Local Land services.

The results will be compiled into a report that will indicate the overall water quality of each site along the river relevant to the day.

To get involved or for further information contact Central West LLS Waterwatch Coordinator; Kerry Palmer on 0408 455 156.

This event is supported by Central West Local Land Services, RiverSmart Australia, Waterwatch NSW and the Australian Governments National Water Week.