Water and Sediment 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.

What is stormwater?

Rain that doesn’t soak into the ground flows into gutters and drains as stormwater. It travels through underground pipes and eventually enters nearby creeks, river and other waterways, untreated. As it moves over roofs, paths, and gutters, it picks up pollutants. This can include litter such as plastic bottles, food packaging, and cigarette butts, oil, grease, sand and other building materials, dirt, leaves, twigs, animal droppings, and chemicals from car washing.

The faster the water flows over hard surfaces, the more particles it carries, leading to erosion, flooding, and poor water quality.

How is stormwater managed?

Stormwater is managed through a combination of infrastructure and natural methods to control its flow and reduce pollution. Government agencies, including councils and Sydney Water, manage stormwater on public land using stormwater quality improvement devices (SQIDs). These devices are designed to capture litter and other solids and remove them from the water. Examples include trash racks, sediment traps, litter booms, biofiltration systems, detention and retention basins, and constructed wetlands. 

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is an approach to urban planning that manages water sustainably to protect water quality, improve the environment, and reduce urban impacts on water systems. It uses solutions like rain gardens, rainwater tanks, green roofs, porous pavements, and stormwater harvesting to clean water, reduce pollution, and create healthier urban spaces. WSUD helps cities adapt to climate change, reduce pressure on water treatment systems, and ensure water is managed in a way that benefits both people and the environment.

How is wastewater different from stormwater?

Wastewater is water that has been used for various purposes, such as in homes, businesses, and industries. It includes water from sinks, toilets, showers, washing machines, and industrial processes. Wastewater typically contains contaminants like bacteria, chemicals, and organic matter, requiring treatment at a wastewater facility before being released back into the environment.

While stormwater does not undergo the same type of treatment as wastewater, it is managed through a combination of infrastructure and natural methods to control its flow and minimise pollution before it enters our waterways.

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 campaigns and how you can help make a difference!

Stormwater Compliance and Education Program

The Stormwater Compliance and Education program is a four-year, $800,000 funded initiative launched in July 2023 to improve stormwater management and reduce pollution in the Parramatta River.

This program supports the Parramatta River Masterplan’s goal of making the river swimmable by tackling stormwater pollution through enhanced education and compliance, capacity building for partner agencies, and increased community engagement via campaigns such as ‘Get the Site Right’ and ‘Love Your Waterways’.  Find out more.

Parramatta River Bank Naturalisation and Planning of Priority Corridors Project

This three-year, $1 million funded project aims to enhance riparian zones (area where land meets a river, creek, or other body of water) in the Parramatta River catchment to improve water quality. Key objectives include developing policies to protect existing vegetation, identifying sites for restoration, and undertake preliminary works to highlight future restoration opportunities. Find out more.

Riverkeeper Program

This program seeks to connect organisations, volunteer groups, and individuals to create opportunities for the community to learn about and contribute to waterway health and local environmental conservation in the Parramatta River catchment. Find out more.

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 Connect with the River page or check our calendar for upcoming clean-ups and educational events. Together, we can make a difference!