Our biodiversity, prosperity and uniquely Australian lifestyle are dependent upon healthy and connected water environments.
Since 2018, Watergum have worked with volunteer citizen scientists to contribute valuable data and uncover trends in waterway health on the Gold Coast.
We undertake regular water quality monitoring and waterbug (aquatic macro-invertebrate) surveys in key waterways across the Gold Coast.
Similar to a doctor checking your vital signs, these surveys give an insight into how healthy the waterway is. It also shows resilience in response to weather events, human activity and seasonal change and provide an early warning system to habitat impairment.
Aquatic indicators
Water bugs are an excellent indicator of waterway health. These very small creatures live in our freshwater waterways and are highly sensitive to changes in the water.
Each type of water bug has a certain sensitivity to pollution or water quality changes in their waterway. Therefore, the quality of a river, creek or wetland will determine the presence or absence of these animals living in the water.
In a very disturbed, poor quality waterway, only a few very hardy water bugs (who are not sensitive to water quality changes) will be present. As water bugs are the base of the aquatic food chain, changes to diversity and abundance can act as an early warning system for our waterway health.
Dive into the details
Watergum staff undertake monthly water quality parameter testing to give vital readings for our waterways, including dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH and temperature.
The data collected through our Water Monitoring is utilised by the City of Gold Coast to inform decision makers about the condition of local ecosystems and wildlife.
Collation of data over consecutive years allows us to review waterway trends and identify anomalies that may impact our natural environment.
Our data is collected in line with best practice methodology for waterbug surveys and water quality sampling. We use the SIGNAL Scoring system to determine the pollution sensitivity of waterbugs.
This provides a relative indication on the overall health of each waterway.
Get involved!
Joining Water Monitoring is easy and rewarding! Join our team of volunteers who regularly conduct water quality assessments and waterbug surveys in key Gold Coast waterways. You can participate in hands-on training sessions to learn monitoring techniques and data collection methods.
Become a co-ordinator
Interested in getting hands on experience leading surveys? Become a water bug co-ordinator!
Join a survey
We run quarterly water bug surveys at sides across the Nerang River, Coomera River, Currumbin Creek, and Tallebudgera Creek.
See our outcomes
We make sure our data makes a difference. Check out our Water Monitoring outcomes from past years.
This program receives funding and support from
Want to learn more about how we are protecting our waterways?