FAQS
Q. Is the Yarra River healthy?
A.
In general, the condition of the Yarra River is excellent in the upper reaches, where it flows through forested, mountainous areas reserved for water supply purposes, but it progressively declines in condition due to agricultural and urban pressures in the middle to lower reaches.
As with many rivers flowing through major cities, the Yarra River has been historically degraded by polluted discharges from industrial premises (such as tanneries, abattoirs and breweries etc) unsewered areas, sewage treatment plants, sewer overflows, landfills and urban stormwater.
Over the past 20 years, however, there has been a general improvement in the river's water quality resulting from the increased sewering of catchments and the diversion of industrial discharges into the sewerage system, and the Yarra compares favourably to other urban rivers overseas.
In addition to water quality improvements in the Yarra River, other significant environmental changes in recent times are the wider distribution of platypus and a range of migratory native fish species. Platypus have been sighted in the Yarra River at Kew, less than 10 kilometres from the city centre.
Melbourne Water's removal of barriers to fish migration such as weirs and pipes, has allowed fish to utilise vastly more sections of the Yarra. Melbourne Water works with landholders in the Yarra catchment to fence stream frontages, and on weed control and revegetation projects.
Melbourne Water's Rivers and Creeks 2004 report (PDF 1.3mb) provides a comprehensive review of the condition of Melbourne's rivers and creeks. Click on the following for more information on the:
The following graphs illustrate the improvement in E. coli levels of the Yarra River over the past 30 years.
Annual geometric means of E.Coli counts (per 100 mL) at Chandler Highway
Annual geometric means of E.Coli counts (per 100 mL) at Princes Bridge
Q. Is the Yarra safe for swimming?
A.
Melbourne Water and EPA Victoria advises the community not to undertake recreational activities within five days of heavy rain as there may be increased pollution due to stormwater run-off.
Water quality at most sites in rural and outer urban areas has generally met or been close to environmental standards for all forms of recreation, including swimming and boating, except sometimes after rain.
At most sites in inner urban areas, E.coli levels have met the standard for water sports such as boating, canoeing and kayaking (except following heavy rain), but not for swimming.
Health authorities, such as the Department of Human Services, recommend that people should avoid ingesting untreated water from creeks, rivers or the bay at all times.
Parks Victoria does not allow swimming in the Yarra River downstream of Dights Falls due to the danger posed by boats.
Q. What is E. coli?
A.
E. coli (or Escherichia coli) is a bacteria found in the digestive tract of warm-blooded animals and is used as an indicator of recent faecal contamination.
E. coli is the water quality measure of public health risk used by the Department of Human Services and EPA Victoria.
Q. What causes pollution in rivers such as the Yarra?
A.
The major causes of pollution in rivers and creeks in urban areas, such as the Yarra River, are litter, oil from roads, animal and bird droppings, sewage from leaking sewers, overflows, illegal connections and septic tanks, and other pollutants carried in stormwater.
Litter is a major source of pollution in Melbourne's rivers and creeks, and the situation can only be improved through a coordinated approach.
We work with EPA Victoria and councils to educate the community about the impact litter has on our rivers and creeks.
People need to be aware that what they put in the gutters and on our streets - whether it's grass clippings after mowing the lawn, chemicals they're trying to dispose of or dog poo washed off the streets - ends up in the waterways along with the rainwater and can have a negative impact on the environment.
The stormwater system is designed to take rainwater into the closest waterway. Unlike sewage it isn't treated before it enters our waterways - in most cases it flows directly into our creeks, rivers and bays.
For more information please read the Stormwater pollution fact sheet.
Q. What can the community do to help?
A.
When it rains, any rubbish left on our roads, nature strips or in gutters is washed into stormwater drains. These drains carry it to the creeks and rivers before it ends up on our beaches and in the bays.
Everyone can help reduce pollution in rivers and creeks. Tips on how to safely dispose of grass clippings, motor oil, paint and other pollutants.
Q. What is Melbourne Water's role?
A.
Melbourne Water is the custodian of rivers and creeks and is responsible for managing and monitoring the long-term health of the region's rivers and creeks. We regularly publish our results in our annual Social and Environment Report and in our Rivers and Creeks 2004 report (PDF 1.3mb).
Melbourne Water's water quality monitoring program is designed to assess broad-scale, long-term trends in water quality (typically over 8 to 10 years). It is also used to assess progress against State Environment Protection Policy (SePP) objectives, which are established and monitored by EPA Victoria.
The EPA's responsibility as the regulatory body is to set long-term water quality objectives, licence discharges, to investigate any pollution incidents and take enforcement action if necessary.
The EPA has a pollution hotline, which allows members of the community to ring in, if there is an incident. EPA's Pollution Watch Line number is 9695 2777 and 1800 444 004 for regional callers.
Q. How does Melbourne Water conduct its water quality monitoring?
A.
Water quality monitoring tests are collected and assessed by independent laboratories on behalf of Melbourne Water.
While monitoring is increased over the summer months to test for E. coli and blue green algae, regular monitoring occurs monthly throughout the year.
Samples are taken and tested for the following water quality indicators: water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity (conductivity), pH, nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, Kjeldahl nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus), faecal contamination (E. coli) and metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc). E. coli levels are generally elevated after heavy rainfall due to run-off from stormwater. Research indicates that it takes about five days after a storm before E. coli levels return to normal.
Community groups and individuals also play a part in monitoring and testing water quality through the Melbourne Waterwatch program. Melbourne Water is a major sponsor of this program. Melbourne Waterwatch publishes the results of this community testing annually.
Q. What is Melbourne Water doing to improve the Yarra?
A.
The Victorian Government is strongly committed to improving the health of rivers and creeks in the Yarra catchment. The Yarra River Action Plan, released in January 2006, includes around $600 million for initiatives to improve the health of the Yarra (see under Yarra River Action Plan for details).
The Government also recently announced $4.5 million for a pollution strikeforce to patrol the Yarra, analyse water quality, enforce pollution regulation and penalties, and educate the community.
Managing the impacts of stormwater on the middle and lower sections of the Yarra River has been identified as a key priority of the plan.
In addition to the Yarra River Action Plan, Melbourne Water and the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority have worked with state and local government authorities, environment groups and the community to develop a five-year Regional River Health Strategy, which sets out the strategic priorities for the 62 rivers and creeks in the Port Phillip and Westernport region.
The community consultation period is now closed for the draft strategy and feedback is now being assessed.