2. Keep watch
Overview
A Riverwatch water monitoring program will help us measure change over time, protect existing swimming spots, open new swimming sites and understand what makes water quality change over time.
Recommendation
Agree and progress the establishment of the Riverwatch monitoring program for the Parramatta River.
Timeframe
Now.
Lead Agency
Sydney Water.
Current Measure
Number of swim sites being monitored.
RiverWatch Monitoring Program
RiverWatch™ was established in 2019 by Sydney Water to monitor and report on water quality at new and planned swimming and recreation sites along the Parramatta River.
Before a new site is opened, routine water quality monitoring is undertaken for more than 12 months. Monitoring results are assessed against the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water and NSW Water Quality Objectives.
| Swim Site | Location | Site Manager | Water Quality Monitoring Provider | Site Status |
| Bayview Park Baths | Concord | City of Canada Bay | Riverwatch (Sydney Water) | Existing |
| Bedlam Bay | Gladesville | Hunter’s Hill Council | Riverwatch (Sydney Water) | Existing |
| Cabarita Park beach | Cabarita | City of Canada Bay | Beachwatch (NSW Government) | Existing |
| Callan Park | Lilyfield | Inner West Council | Beachwatch (NSW Government) | Planned |
| Chiswick Baths | Chiswick | City of Canada Bay | Beachwatch (NSW Government) | Existing |
| Cockatoo Island | Cockatoo Island | Harbour Trust | Riverwatch (Sydney Water) | Proposed |
| Dawn Fraser Baths | Balmain | Inner West Council | Beachwatch (NSW Government) | Existing |
| Lake Parramatta | North Parramatta | City of Parramatta | City of Parramatta | Existing |
| Mort Bay | Birchgrove | Inner West Council | Riverwatch (Sydney Water) | Proposed |
| Putney Beach | Putney | City of Ryde | Riverwatch (Sydney Water) | Existing |
Sydney Water also worked with industry partners to develop a chemical assessment program, which evaluates how chemical contaminants impact river sediment and water quality to ensure there are no risks to human health. The framework and assessment process is based on the enHealth guidance – Guidelines for assessing human health risks from environmental hazards.
Daily water quality forecasts for existing swimming and recreation sites are available through Our Living River’s Interactive Map.
RiverWatch is aligned with similar recreational water quality monitoring programs such as NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Beachwatch monitoring program, which monitors three of the existing swim sites on the Parramatta River: Cabarita Park beach, Chiswick Baths and Dawn Fraser Baths. Water quality at Lake Parramatta is monitored by the City of Parramatta’s comprehensive Water Quality Program.
Status Update
Assessing recreational water quality in the Parramatta River is an important step in delivering the Parramatta River Masterplan. The Riverwatch microbial monitoring program assesses how microbial contaminants impact water quality in the Parramatta River. Along with the Riverwatch chemical assessment program, it helps inform decisions about proposed swimming sites along the river.
Planned Sites
| Site | Water quality monitoring | Chemical assessment |
| Callan Park | July 2019 – present | Complete |
| Cockatoo Island | Commenced | Not started |
| Mort Bay | Commenced | Not started |
Progress Timeline
Useful Links