Summary:
Water quality monitoring undertaken between May and July 2026 indicates generally moderate ecological water quality, with nutrient concentrations remaining relatively stable but microbiological contamination varying considerably between sampling dates. Most chemical indicators suggest a river capable of supporting aquatic life, however several elevated E. coli and intestinal enterococci results indicate intermittent faecal contamination, likely associated with rainfall events, agricultural runoff, wildlife or sewer overflows.
Overall, the river would be classified as Moderate, with microbial water quality representing the principal concern rather than chemical pollution.
The microbial pollution was witnessed first-hand in our first set of results – 1 pre rain was less than 10 but 20 minutes later after a heavy rainstorm the result was over 1000. The surface water outlet under the jetty is certainly contaminated (no record of an overflow in this location but we must assume that it is an overflow that perhaps connects to the SW further up the pipe without record as the pollution events only occur during extreme rain – likely an overflow event.
