Corangamite Catchment Management Authority 64 Dennis St (PO Box 159) Colac Victoria 3250 (T) 03 5232 9100 (F) 03 5232 2759 (E) [email protected] www.ccma.vic.gov.au The Barwon Estuary Monitoring Pilot Project (BEMPP) is a citizen science program developed to monitor public health and recreational water quality indicators whilst keeping the community informed about public health impacts. Sixteen community volunteers participated in the project and evidence has been collected regarding the health of the Barwon River Estuary. The community are now more informed about stormwater discharge and the impact it can have on public health. Volunteers collected water quality information along the Barwon River Estuary at eight sites in Barwon Heads and Ocean Gove. Each site was in proximity to stormwater outfalls and areas of high recreational use. The water quality monitoring program was designed to specifically measure parameters relevant to recreational use of waterways. Regular monitoring of the estuary’s physical, biological and chemical health assisted to develop an understanding of estuary water quality. Citizen scientist tested water quality parameters including ammonia, pH, turbidity and microbial enterococci (which was analysed in the laboratory), observational data including tides as well as the appearance of the site. Water quality assessments were carried out twice a month at eight sites between December 2018 and May 2019. Results were analysed against State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters and reported back to the community through newsletters, public meetings and social media. If you would like to know more about BEMPP, Corangamite EstuaryWatch or similar citizen science programs, contact the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority www.ccma.vic.gov.au [email protected] Stormwater can have a significant influence on estuary health. Run-off from urban areas can carry litter and bacteria-laden pollutants such as faecal matter which carries disease- causing organisms. BEMPP collected water samples to test for enterococci, an indicator of faecal pollution in the estuarine environment. Estuary: Barwon River Estuary Nearest town: Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove Estuary length: 19km River length: 160km Mouth state: Open BARWON ESTUARY MONITORING PILOT PROJECT 2018-2019 Project Summary About BEMPP