Threats to waterways

Human settlement has greatly impacted on the health and sustainability of our catchments and waterways.

Areas that have most of their original vegetation and minimal hard surfaces such as concrete are usually healthier than ones that have been threatened by:

• Removal of vegetation - vegetation stabilises soil and prevents erosion especially during heavy rainfall.
• Pollutants such as dumping of liquid wastes, e.g. paint spills, oil leaks, litter, runoff from detergents and fertilisers - changes the chemical composition of the water and is toxic to wildlife and vegetation.
• Damming or alteration to watercourses through development of housing and commercial estates.
• Reducing natural infiltration of rainwater from concreting, sealing of roads and use of gutters - resulting in unnatural flow frequency and volume in our waterways.