Maroochy Waterwatch ~ is a non-profit community organisation.  It is a network of dedicated people who cooperate to maintain and improve the health of our local waterways, and to secure high levels of water quality for present and future generations.

The aim of Maroochy Waterwatch is to protect and enhance the Maroochy River and its catchment through water monitoring education, and catchment care projects.
 

What Maroochy Waterwatch does:
One of the core activities of Maroochy Waterwatch is the collection of water quality data.
The following links describe the procedures involved, and give easy to understand explanations.

Water Quality Testing 
More In-depth information

Riparian Restoration:
Monitoring of the Maroochy Catchment waterways has lead to an extensive number of riparian revegetation projects undertaken throughout the catchment, under the guidance of Maroochy Waterwatch.  A wealth of knowledge and expertise has been developed within the group on local native species identification, and propagation, as well as the best methods to use in coordinating projects, and revegetating the streambank for local condition.  The local native species used in the revegetation projects are sourced and propagated from locally collected seed.

Streambank revegetation has been carried out along Petrie, Paynter, Eudlo, and Martin's Creek.  Scientifically scrutinised streambank revegetation trials have been undertaken along Echidna Creeks with full funding support from Maroochy Shire Council as part of the South East Queensland Water Quality Management Strategy. (SEQWQMS) trial. ...
See  -   Current Revegetation Projects

Catchment Education:
Maroochy Waterwatch takes a lead role in representing and educating the public with catchment care issues.  Catchment education is carried out through displays at local festivals. visits to schools, media coverage and the shopfront /office facilities in Nambour ~

Community Support:
Maroochy Waterwatch maintains its important role in the community by connecting with, supporting and facilitating a range of other community organisations that represent the diversity of the region. We support and interact with Landcare, Catchment Care Groups, Educational Institutions, NRM Groups, Service Clubs, and Indigenous People.  Support is given through administrative assistance, financial management, technical and quality assurance advice, and moral support.

Other Projects  
Maroochy Waterwatch has undertaken and been involved with a number of projects;

♦  Maroochy River Erosion Study Project -- This project was undertaken for the Moreton Bay Catchment Partnership, to investigate erosion along a section of the Maroochy River estuary, and to identify contributing causes.

♦  Maroochy Waterwatch has been conducting a unique pilot project monitoring on-farm water quality in collaboration with the Sunshine Coast Sub-tropical Fruit Growers Association.  This will aid the farmer to develop environmental management systems to decrease the silt and nutrient loads entering the waterway from their farms.

♦   Threatened Species Project monitoring frog populations in the Kureelpa area to determine if the Giant Barred Frog still exists.  This project will be expanded to encompass the whole shire.  It also involves site rehabilitation, and monitoring to protect frog species.

♦  Catchment Modelling Project  Maroochy Waterwatch has participated in this project through the Maroochy Modellers Group, comprising local community groups and both local and regional government agencies.  The aim of the project has been to develop a computer model of the Maroochy catchment focusing on suspended sediment and nutrient - (total N and P) loads.