What we measure
Each location has been assessed using three key water quality indicators.
E. coli
Tracks bacteria levels that can indicate fecal contamination. High levels can make waterways unsafe for people and wildlife.
Phosphorus
Measures nutrient pollution that can fuel algae growth particularly in freshwater systems where it is naturally limited.
Nitrogen
Can itself be directly toxic and along with phosphorus fuels eutrophication, creating oxygen-depleted “dead zones” that kill fish and aquatic plants.
Why this matters?
Exposure to these pollutants poses a real risk to human health and the health of Tasmania’s waterways. Tasmanians deserve to know the scale of this issue and have the right to make informed decisions which could impact their health. Environment Tasmania wants to see less pollution in Tasmania’s waterways and see improved management of the state’s freshwater environments. Stay informed and add your voice to the push for greater transparency around Tasmania’s waterways.
Healthy waterways
Less nasties in the water means safer rivers, healthier wildlife and fewer reasons to say, “maybe don’t swim there today”.
Public transparency
Sewage performance data should not be buried in reports. We’re putting it on the map so communities can see what is really going on.
What others have to say…
In the last 150 years, toilets and vaccines have exceeded all other interventions in saving human lives – estimated at one billion each, with antibiotics at 200 million. Why would we allow untreated waste back into the environment to undo these benefits? Inadequately treated or untreated sewage contains pathogens (bad bugs) that are a major health risk to people. Sewage entering waterways also creates risk for toxic algal blooms which threaten human health. When sewage enters our waterways without adequate treatment, anyone swimming, fishing, or boating risks getting sick. As a GP and Occupational & Environmental Medicine registrar, I support calls for real-time public monitoring of sewage bypass events so Tasmanians can make informed decisions about when it is safe to enter our waterways
Dr Fiona Beer
Health Practitioner – FRACGP-RG, OEM registrar“Fishers and Walkers Tasmania are in full support of Environment Tasmania’s call for state funding to introduce real-time monitoring of all sewage bypass releases. It’s clear that real-time monitoring will help Tasmanians make informed decisions around health risks when entering waters contaminated by under-treated sewage.”
Greg French
President, Fishers and Walkers TasmaniaStay in the loop, not in the sludge
Get updates on local water health, sewage performance and ways to take action. We’ll keep it useful, clear and only mildly gross when necessary.
