More work is needed to improve the health of south east Queensland region’s drinking water catchments, according to results of the Healthy Waterways 2014 Ecosystem Health Report Card. The annual report card graded a number of catchments surrounding Seqwater’s water storages.
Seqwater Chief Executive Officer, Peter Dennis, said while the health of drinking water catchments had remained consistent over the past year, more work was required.
“The treatment of water needs to begin within our catchments. Caring for our catchments helps ensure a more cost effective and high quality water supply,” Mr Dennis said.
“When large amounts of mud and silt are washed into our dams and waterways it becomes more difficult to treat the water, increasing the cost and the duration of treatment.”
“Catchment management is one of the best ways to protect the security of our drinking water supply.”
The Ecosystem Health Report Card grades for the Stanley, Upper Brisbane, Lockyer, Logan, and Redlands catchments were all consistent with last year’s results.
Seqwater is investing more than $7 million in improving catchment health this financial year and is working in partnership with organisations such as Healthy Waterways to ensure a whole-of-catchment approach to managing South East Queensland’s natural resources.
Mr Dennis said because Seqwater owned and managed less than five per cent of the total watershed and catchment area, it was critical to work with local landholders and catchment care groups to coordinate on the ground work.
“Improving catchment health has to be a team effort from community and environmental organisations to local and state Governments.”
“Seqwater thanks the many volunteers and organisations who invest countless hours in revegetation and clean-up work and we look forward to continuing to work with the community to continue to improve catchment health.”
