Saltwatch

Saltwatch

Saltwatch Week 23 - 29 May 2021

Test your dam or local waterway for electrical conductivity during Saltwatch Week. Saltwatch is an environmental monitoring program that helps communities understand the salinity problem in our waterways. Saltwatch began in 1987 and is Australia's longest-running community monitoring program.


During Saltwatch Week each year, schools and community groups from all over Victoria can learn about the effects of salinity on water quality in their local catchment by collecting local water sources and testing with a salinity meter to determine salt content. Saltwatch week coincides with Education Week in Victorian schools and useful resources for exploring salinity issues can be on the Waterwatch Victoria page here Saltwatch Salinity Snapshot.

Snapshot monitoring provides a great opportunity to assess the condition of our waterways at a particular point in time. The collaborative efforts of many registered groups creating a picture of salinity across the state can show changes in salinity ’hot spots’ over time, illustrate the effects of climatic changes such as the current drought, and may even pick up long term trends.

During Saltwatch Week, any group, school or individual can be involved! It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

STEP 1: Collect a water sample. Measure and record electrical conductivity (µS/cm).

STEP 2: Submit the results via the Waterwatch Victoria data portal OR

Download the Data Record Sheet, complete, and email the results to the statewide facilitator at

vicwaterwatchestuarywatch@ccma.vic.gov.au.

STEP 3: Your data will be added to a statewide Saltwatch Map for all to see.

View your data, and data from across Victoria, on the map on the Saltwatch data portal.