Strategic Water Monitoring Program - SWaMP
To improve the cleanliness, health, and biodiversity of the Shire’s waterways, we monitor the health of our catchments with our Strategic Water Monitoring Program (SWaMP).
The monitoring program tests water quality in different locations and rates the quality from 'Poor' to 'Excellent' and has two main components:
- Physical and chemical monitoring
- Biological monitoring
Physical and chemical monitoring
Every month we measures the health of our waterways by comparing the levels of specific physical and chemical contaminants to levels found in healthy waterways.
Biological monitoring
Our Aquatic Ecologist collects and identifies freshwater waterbugs (also called macroinvertebrates) from each test site.
Including freshwater macroinvertebrates (waterbugs) in the analysis is an additional indicator of stream health.
Waterbugs are pollution-sensitive animals found in almost all water bodies. Their presence and condition are good indicators of water quality.
Adversaechna Brevistyla
Libellulidae Diplacodes Haematodes
Laccotrephes Tristis
SWaMP Report Cards
We produce annual reports, based on the sample results.
- 2023-2024 - PDF - 5449 KB CURRENT Waterways Health Report Card
- 2022-2023 - PDF - 4498 KB Waterways Health Report Card
- 2021-2022 - PDF - 5236 KB Waterways Health Report Card
- 2020-2021 - PDF - 2128 KB Waterways Health Report Card
- 2019-2020 - PDF - 1975 KB Waterways Health Report Card
- 2018-2019 - PDF - 1066 KB Waterways Health Report Card
- 2017-2018 - PDF - 1041 KB Waterways Health Report Card
You can help keep our waterways clean by reporting pollution.
Useful links
- Waterways - Learn how we manage and protect our precious waterways.
- NSW Beachwatch - Find out where and when it is safe to swim.
- Water Pollution - Help to prevent water pollution.
- Georges Riverkeeper - Advocates for the protection, conservation, and enhancement of the health of the Georges River.