Water Quality in the Parramatta River

Water quality refers to the characteristics of water that affect its use, such as for drinking, recreation, farming, or supporting wildlife. Good water quality is important for both the environment and people, while poor quality can cause serious health and environmental problems.

The Parramatta River runs about 21 km from Blacktown Creek in the west to where it meets the Lane Cove River in the east, eventually flowing into Sydney Harbour. It starts off as freshwater until it gets to the Charles Street weir in the Parramatta CBD, where it mixes with saltwater and becomes estuarine.

Why improving water quality matters

• Impact on wildlife: Healthy water is crucial for the animals and plants in the Parramatta River. Pollution can destroy habitats and disrupt the food chain, affecting everything from aquatic plants to top predators like sharks.
• Recreational activities: The Parramatta River is popular for swimming, sailing, and kayaking. Poor water quality can pose health risks, discourage outdoor activities, and affect local tourism and community wellbeing.
• Local communities: Clean water is essential for public health. Polluted water can increase healthcare costs, reduce quality of life, and weaken the community’s connection to the river.

Improving water quality in the Parramatta River is important for both the environment and the community. By monitoring and taking action, we can work together to create a healthier river for future generations.

Sources of water pollution

Pollutants are substances that harm water quality and safety. They enter waterways through stormwater drains, which lead to local creeks and rivers.

Common sources of pollution include:

• Litter: Items like cigarette butts, plastics, food waste, leaves, and grass clippings. Microplastics are also a problem.
• Heavy metals: Contaminants like lead, mercury, and cadmium from chemicals, motor oils, paints, batteries, car tyres, and old industrial sites.
• Pathogens: Bacteria and viruses from animal waste, stormwater runoff, and wastewater overflows.
• Nutrients: Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in sediment runoff caused by poorly maintained building sites, animal waste, fertilisers, and detergents.
• Pesticides: Chemicals used to control pests.

Did you know environmental offences cover any substance that harms the environment? Water pollution can include soil, sand, building materials, litter, leaking oil, chemicals, detergents, and improper waste storage—all of which can wash into stormwater drains and flow into our waterways.

In 2024, fines for common offences like water pollution or failing to comply with a clean-up notice have increased under the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act.

Fines range from: 

• $15,000 for a first offence and $22,500 for a second offence for individuals
• $30,000 for a first offence and $45,000 for a second offence for corporations.

Impacts of pollutants on water quality 

It may be just one piece of litter, but the combined impact of human activities can significantly harm water quality. Pollutants damage aquatic ecosystems and pose health risks to humans. While occasional exposure may not be harmful, long-term or high levels of pollution are the biggest threat.

• Litter: Litter can choke animals, smother plants, and block drains, leading to flooding and infrastructure damage.
• Runoff: Runoff from roads carries pollutants into waterways, affecting water quality by changing temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and nutrient balance. High nutrients can cause algae growth, lowering oxygen and suffocating aquatic life.
• Sediment and waste: Sediment runoff carries harmful chemicals that can breed bacteria and viruses, which is why swimming in the river is not recommended for at least three days after heavy rain. Human and animal waste entering the river can further increase water contamination.
• Biomagnification and bioaccumulation: Chemicals like heavy metals and pesticides accumulate in the food chain, reaching higher levels in fish. The NSW Department of Primary Industries recommends catch-and-release for fish, crustaceans, and shellfish in the Parramatta River catchment.

Key indicators of water quality

• Turbidity: Measures water cloudiness from particles like sediment, soil, algae, and organic matter. High turbidity reduces light for aquatic plants.
• pH Levels: Shows how acidic or alkaline water is. A balanced pH (around 7 to 8) is vital for healthy ecosystems.
• Dissolved Oxygen: Essential for fish and aquatic life. Low oxygen levels can cause fish kills and stagnant water. High nitrogen and phosphorus often signal excess nutrients from runoff.
• Temperature: Affects oxygen levels and aquatic health. Warmer water can stress organisms and trigger harmful algae blooms.

Managing water quality requires a catchment-wide approach, with both government and community working together to tackle pollution.

RiverWatch™ was launched by Sydney Water in 2019 to monitor and report water quality at new and planned swimming and recreation sites along the Parramatta River. Before a site opens, routine monitoring occurs for over 12 months, with results evaluated against the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines and NSW Water Quality Objectives.

Sydney Water collaborates with industry partners to develop a chemical assessment program that examines the impact of chemical contaminants on river sediment and water quality, ensuring safety for human health based on enHealth guidelines.

Sydney Water currently monitors water quality for Bayview Park Baths that opened in 2022 and planned swim sites at Putney and Gladesville. Daily water quality forecasts for existing sites are accessible via the Our Living River and Sydney Water’s Urban Plunge websites.

RiverWatch aligns with similar initiatives, including the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Beachwatch program, which monitors key swim sites like Cabarita Park beach, Chiswick Baths, and Dawn Fraser Baths. The City of Parramatta also monitors water quality at Lake Parramatta. Find out more.

History of water quality in the Parramatta River

The Parramatta River formed 15 to 29 million years ago as water slowly carved a valley into ancient rock. Over time, rising sea levels flooded the area, creating the river estuary that helped shape Sydney Harbour.

First Nations people have cared for the river and its creeks for thousands of years through their deep connection to Country. However, British colonisation caused significant damage to the river through sedimentation, pollution, and habitat loss. By the mid-20th century, poor water quality led to the closure of swimming baths, and commercial fishing was banned in 2006 due to heavy metal contamination.

Since the 1970s, initiatives like the Clean Waters Act and organisations such as the Parramatta River Catchment Group have helped restore water quality through better stormwater management, habitat restoration, and community involvement. Find out more.

PRCG’s key programs and campaigns

The Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) plays a key role in improving the water quality of the Parramatta River, creeks, and streams, as part of the Our Living River mission to make the river swimmable again.

We collaborate with councils, government agencies, and the community on programs to improve stormwater management, reduce litter, restore wildlife habitats, and create more natural spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Community involvement is crucial for cleaner waterways. Together, we can restore the river’s health and promote sustainable practices. Below are details of our water quality programs and how you can help make a difference!

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

Stormwater is rainwater that falls on roads or roofs, picking up chemicals and pollutants that are then carried into our waterways. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a planning approach that reuses stormwater and reduces its impact on the environment by mimicking the natural water cycle. It uses solutions like rainwater tanks, green roofs, and stormwater harvesting to manage water and create healthier urban spaces. We work with councils to include WSUD in planning and encourage residents to adopt WSUD devices at home for better water management.

Get the Site Right

Get the Site Right is a task force involving local councils, catchment groups, and the NSW EPA, aimed at improving erosion and sediment control on building sites. We conduct two inspection blitzes per year to educate builders and the community about the harmful effects of sediment runoff on our waterways and the role they play in protecting our natural environment. If you’re building or renovating, it’s important your site has a comprehensive erosion and sediment control plan in place before work begins. Find out more.

Love Your Waterways

‘Love Your Waterways’ is a community campaign that encourages everyone to take five simple actions to prevent pollution in our waterways. By reducing rubbish, picking up pet waste, washing vehicles wisely, covering garden waste, and keeping stormwater drains clear, we can all contribute to cleaner, healthier waterways. If you’re interested in running an awareness campaign, click on the link to see our range of educational and promotional material. Find out more.

Reduce Your Rubbish

‘Reduce Your Rubbish’ is a spin-off campaign from Love Your Waterways, which focuses on minimising waste and its impact on the river. It provides practical strategies for reducing litter and improving waste management at home and in the community. Find out more.

Ten things you can do now to help the Parramatta River

Here are 10 simple actions to help improve the Parramatta River’s water quality:

1. Dispose of waste properly: Use designated bins for waste, recyclables, and hazardous materials. Place organic waste like leaves and animal waste in green bins, not near stormwater drains.
2. Choose reusable plastics: Use reusable containers and bring your waste and recycling home, or use public bins. Check out how to Party without Plastic or learn more from local groups such as Plastic Free Parramatta.
3. Reduce fertiliser and pesticide use: Limit chemicals in gardens to reduce runoff that harms water sources. Wash your car on grass to prevent runoff.
4. Use eco-friendly products: Choose cleaning and personal care items that break down naturally and don’t harm water quality.
5. Practice responsible pet ownership: Always clean up after pets to keep waste out of waterways.
6. Install a rainwater tank or rain garden: Capture and filter runoff to manage water naturally and boost local biodiversity.
7. Get the Site Right: If you’re building or renovating, cover stockpiles during rain and sweep up sediment daily. Avoid washing debris into drains.
8. Maintain your vehicle: Service your vehicle regularly to prevent leaks that can pollute stormwater.
9. Dispose of chemicals properly: Take oils, batteries, paints, and chemicals to your local Community Recycling Centre or Household Chemical CleanOut event.  
10. Report pollution: Report pollution incidents to your local council or the EPA’s 24/7 Environment Line on 131 555.

For more ways to help, visit our citizen science and volunteering page or check our calendar for upcoming clean-ups and educational events. Together, we can make a difference!