Water in our Catchments

1. Water in our Catchments • Main focus on creek health • Also touch on water consumption

2. Set the scene… • We all live in a catchment (introduce concepts) • Reticulated water services in area • Description of catchment • Water quality information, macroinvertebrates • Geomorphic condition of waterways • Specific target issues

3. Upper Kedumba Catchment

5. Geomorphic condition - Kedumba • Tributaries once consisted mainly of intact valley fills (sand), supporting Blue Mountains Swamps. • Urban stormwater – concentrated, increased volumes and velocities = channelisation and transformation into a different “River Style”

6. Intact Valley Fill (sand) – Asgard Swamp

7. Former Valley Fill changed to a different style by urban impacts (Maple Grove)

8. Specific target issues - Kedumba • Stormwater pollution • Contaminants washed from residential properties, roads/gutters, retail areas, development sites etc. • Changes to natural hydrology • Increased runoff from impermeable surfaces

9. Acknowledge that issues are complex and many root causes are out of the hands of residents, but reinforce that much can be done at the individual property level.

10. Stormwater pollution • Discuss sources of pollution • Ask for suggestions on how to prevent stormwater contamination

11. Managing runoff at the property level Step 1: CALCULATE the runoff from our properties

13. Ask for examples of steps taken to REDUCE RUNOFF from participants’ properties • Go through suggestions/best practice • We have identified the need for more practical, step-by-step advice on suggestions

14. Runoff from residential blocks

15. Reduce run off by: • Installing rainwater tanks • Using permeable surfaces • Water sensitive garden design and swales

16. Rainwater tanks

17. They come in all shapes and sizes!

18. Permeable Surfaces • Use gravel, scoria rock, bricks, interlocking or permeable paving, wooden decking, bark chips or grass instead of cement driveways, paths or patios. • This will increase infiltration of rain and decrease run-off.

19. Examples of swales

20. E.g. of water sensitive garden design

21. Managing and efficiently using runoff/rainfall on-site also has implications for household water use. FIRST…. We calculate household water consumption using the household water use calculator

23. Tips for reducing mains water consumption: • Retrofit showerheads and taps with water saving devices, convert toilets to dual flush • Install rainwater tank/s to collect water for gardens and/or toilet/laundry • Take advantage of Sydney Water’s rebates on rainwater tanks and washing machines • Reuse greywater with CAUTION • Water-wise gardening

24. Go through Sydney Water’s offers – tank/washing machine/dishwasher rebates, “Water-Fix” • Guide to tank prices • Council requirements

25. Greywater reuse • “Greywater” is waste water from your kitchen, laundry, shower and handbasin. • It can contain a vast array of chemicals, salts, nutrients, food scraps and even faecal coliforms from body washing. • Greywater can only be reused if consideration is given to the household products that go into it (e.g. laundry and dishwashing detergents, cleaning products and food scraps) AND if it is treated and used appropriately given site conditions.

26. Sodium and Phosphorus concentrations in a front loading machine cycle (75L): comparison of a range of laundry detergents

27. Sodium and Phosphorus concentrations in a top loading machine cycle (150L): comparison of a range of laundry detergents

28. Summarise greywater treatment options

29. Water-wise gardening • Choose plant species that require little or no watering. • Add organic matter to the soil and cover with a layer of mulch. • Water in the early morning or early evening to minimise evaporation • Reduce lawn area and increase cut height when mowing. • Reduce the area of impervious surfaces – e.g. use mulch instead of concrete for paths.

30. Virtual Water “Virtual water” is a measure of indirect consumption of water resources in the form of agricultural products and other goods requiring significant quantities of clean water in their production.

31. Virtual water in food

32. How can we reduce our Virtual Water consumption? • Eat less meat and dairy • Eat more locally-produced, in-season foods • Reduce consumption of non-essential items e.g. luxury household goods • Purchase clothing made from alternative fibres – e.g. hemp • Consume less in general!!

33. Groundwater • Groundwater is not an unlimited resource! • Many of our creeks and swamps depend on groundwater; over-extraction via bores will lead to creeks and swamps drying out. • Rainwater tanks are much more sustainable than bores.

34. Important features of Water section • Catchment-specific information • Sense of place • Ownership of issues • Engages with values

35. Important features of Water section • Interaction/participation • E.g. runoff and consumption calculators aid active engagement and discussion amongst participants • Participants talking about actions they are already taking

36. Important features of Water section • Catchment crawl vital to highlight issues and encourage discussion and sharing of local knowledge/stories

37. Now it’s your turn! • Think about water/catchment issues in your area • Do you have the necessary information within your organisation and if not, is there anywhere you could obtain it? • Do you have any ideas for engaging your participants and communicating information about issues in your area?