Unitywater and Noosa Council are undertaking a monitoring program to better understand the impact of groundwater on Burgess Creek.
Unitywater Executive Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Mike Basterfield, said testing would occur monthly in line with creek sampling.
“Groundwater monitoring results will give us more data to understand how the catchment is working holistically and how each of the different water inflows contributes to waterway health,” Basterfield said. “Our initial two rounds of sampling have demonstrated how the groundwater can change, particularly with the depth of the groundwater. Bores are between one metre and ten metres deep, and groundwater penetration from rainfall in the catchment affects the levels in the bore. The greater the flow of groundwater, the more potential the groundwater has to impact water quality in the creek.”
Basterfield said the sampling tested for nutrient loads from the Burgess Creek catchment to monitor the impact on the ecological health of the creek.
“The Burgess Creek Catchment covers approximately 545 hectares, and water from the surrounding landscape all drains into the creek, which affects the water quality in the creek,” Basterfield said. “Some of the things that contribute to the health of the creek include stormwater, which can wash sediments, rubbish and pollutants into the creek, potential leachate from old landfill sites, and droppings from native and domestic animals.
“The Noosa Wastewater Treatment Plant returns the community’s treated wastewater to the urban water cycle through Burgess Creek, and these flows help flush the creek, improving downstream water quality and keeping it flowing.”
Noosa Council Environmental Services Manager Ben Derrick said it was a significant project that would provide valuable information for the proposed Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan.
“This plan will be developed over the coming 12 months. The bores will provide us with a better understanding of groundwater flows, physico-chemical parameters and water quality so we can manage any impacts within the catchment,” he said. “Noosa Council greatly appreciates the ongoing partnership with Unitywater on projects that improve water quality and catchment health. Together, we are making some significant progress towards better catchment management.”