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What is Waterwatch?
WCW also aims to increase community awareness, understanding and ownership of local water quality and catchment issues. This is achieved by providing a broad range of activities that encourage schools and the community to become actively involved in monitoring the health of the Wimmera’s rivers, creeks, wetlands, dams, channels and bores. Waterwatch programs Water Quality WCW has a team of local monitors including landholders, farmers, Landcare networks, school and tertiary students, community groups and individuals. Monitors are provided with training, equipment and support to collect water quality data. The type of information that monitors collect includes: water monitoring; sampling aquatic macroinvertebrate and frogs; habitat surveys and testing water quality by measuring salinity, pH, temperature, hardness, phosphorus, turbidity. This important information provides people and organisations with a current and historical position of theregion’s water quality. Catchment and environmental education
Saltwatch During May, Waterwatch focuses on salt in the Wimmera as part of the Victorian Saltwatch program. Saltwatch began in 1987 and is now Australia's longest-running community water monitoring program. Through Saltwatch, students, farmers and the community learn about the effects of salinity on water quality by collecting local water samples and testing them with a salinity meter. The testing information helps Waterwatch create a ‘snapshot’ that builds a picture of salinity across the region. How to get involved The Wimmera has four Waterwatch coordinators. These coordinators can help you learn more about your region, understand what affects your waterways and provide you with training, support and equipment to become actively involved in monitoring your area.
Primary, secondary and tertiary students, landholders, farmers and community groups and individuals can all get involved. Waterwatch groups and monitors receive regular newsletters, are provided with training and information and are kept up to date with what is happening across the catchment. Waterwatch is funded through the Australian Government's National Action Plan for Salinity and Water, the Victorian Government and local councils. To get involved with Waterwatch, contact Wimmera CMA. Resources Waterwatch trailer The Wimmera Community Waterwatch trailer was developed in 2004 in partnership with the Wimmera Mail-Times and local councils. It was designed to provide a ‘hands on’, public and interactive presence for Waterwatch. The trailer travels all around the region to help inform and educate school groups, landholders, farmers, Landcare and the general public about water health issues. The trailer has an external power generator which enables videos and microscopes to be used and shown outdoors. The trailer is widely used at field days, during National Water Week, at school visits, the Wimmera Kids Conference, regional shows and community events. Other resources
Waterwatch also has a large fibreglass catchment model of the Wimmera, four interactive stormwater models, catchment identification charts, big picture story books, and a catchment game ‘Creeks and Pipes’. These are excellent educational tools for both school level and adult audiences. If your school or community group would like to know more contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Calender of events There are four major state-wide Waterwatch events each year:
Newsletter Wimmera Community Waterwatch distributes a regular newsletter to registered water monitors and other interested people. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Monitoring information tools Waterwatch provides training, support and equipment for its monitoring team including:
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 ) |
