Abstract

The research undertaken to explore the “impact of urban development on water quality degradation on surface freshwater systems based on data collected from the Nepean River at Penrith during a fieldwork exercise” was effective. In this regard, the researcher found that significant water degradation at the Nepean River is caused by surrounding urbanisation runoff and waste water entering the waterway primarily through Peach Tree Creek and Boundary Creek. Data was collected from the river at different locations and various aspects measured and analysed such as temperature, pH and concentration of substances such as phosphates and nitrates among other aspects.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Water is one of the most important natural resources that all living things require to sustain life in the various ecosystems of residence (Cunningham, Cunningham & Saigo 2005). The human beings require water for many purposes such as drinking, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities. However, the steady growth of human population, urbanisation and climate change has posed a great threat to the availability of water as well as maintenance of its purity (Bartram & Ballance 1996). Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to preserve the natural freshwater systems to enhance sustainability of the available water resources. The Hawkesbury-Nepean River system is one of the important freshwater sources in Australia because it is the major water supplier to Sydney with a population of approximately 4.8 million people. However, the sustainability of this water resource is under threat because of the growing human population and urbanisation that increases human activities such as sewage discharge hence affecting water quality in terms of pH level, electrical conductivity, nutrient levels and macroinvertebrate distribution among other aspects. The purpose of this study is to give a scientific report that explores the impact of urban development on water quality degradation on surface freshwater systems based on data collected from the Nepean River at Penrith during a fieldwork exercise. The researcher holds the view that significant water degradation at the Nepean River is caused by surrounding urbanisation runoff and waste water entering the waterway primarily through Peach Tree Creek and Boundary Creek.

Methods

The methodology involved a fieldwork activity in which a series of chemical, biological and microbial tests were undertaken on the Nepean River, Penrith NSW to determine the effect of stormwater and waste water discharge on water quality of the river. Data were collected in the Nepean River from five different sites including the Bridge, Penrith Weir, Peach Tree Creek, Boundary Creek and Downstream Creek as shown in the Site plan. To have more accurate values, different locations were chosen. As shown in the figure, both chemical and biological testing was carried out in two consecutive days. Chemical testing was also carried out in boundary creek.

A Kayak was used to collect water samples from the different locations to help in checking the quality of water in specific areas in the river. Group members in the workshop helped grealy in the data collection process. Several aspects including time, temperature, and dissolved oxygen saturation were recorded when collecting the various samples using the Optical Dissolved Oxygen instrument. The instrument was released into water until a certain point around the pink mark. Water temperature, DO% and DO mg/L measurements appeared in the screen and recorded for different locations.