If you’ve ever taken a Sunday stroll along the Merri Creek and noticed a group of people clutching clipboards and buckets, gathering water samples along the bank, there’s a good chance it was one of the nine WaterWatch groups currently active along the Merri and Darebin creeks and tributaries.

WaterWatch is a Victoria-wide citizen-science program dedicated to monitoring waterway health. In the Merri Creek catchment, the program is hosted and supported by MCMC. Through a range of practical, hands-on activities with volunteers and school groups, the program engages local communities to foster understanding and ownership of local water-quality issues.

WaterWatch volunteers the Merri Mayflies

James is a volunteer with the Merri Mayflies, a newer WaterWatch group which monitors water quality on a stretch of the creek near environmental education centre and park CERES, in Brunswick. He says that engaging with interested passers-by is a fun and essential part of the task.

“The section of Merri Creek where we work is a built-up area with a mix of factories and warehouses, so unfortunately the water quality is never very good,” says James. “We conduct testing in a very public spot, and we’re quite visible in our official shirts, so people often stop and ask what we’re up to. It’s a great opportunity to have a chat and share a bit of knowledge.”

MCMC supporting new WaterWatch groups

The Merri Mayflies, like all the Waterwatch groups along the Merri Creek, are supported in their efforts by Julia Cirillo, MCMC’s WaterWatch and Rapid Response to Litter after Rainfall Coordinator. Julia conducts training for new volunteers, provides testing kits with all the necessary equipment, and offers opportunities for volunteers to participate in data analysis.

“The Mayflies are one of our largest groups, with around six active monitors,” says Julia. “They go out monthly and test for salinity, the muddiness of the water, nutrients, acidity, and the amount of dissolved oxygen – an important consideration for the health of aquatic animal life. Monthly monitoring ensures community knowledge of the creek is high and we can notice changes and patterns much more quickly."

"The poor water quality where James’ group works means that it’s even more important to maintain awareness. If we see unexpected further degradation, we can identify it quickly and report it to the managers of the creek (Melbourne Water, also an MCMC member) and local councils. Our methods align with water-quality monitoring standards across Victoria and Australia, so the data we collect is scientifically robust.”

Along the lower Merri, where much of the land along the banks is used for retail, residential and light industry, water-quality issues often arise from stormwater pollution, which can bring litter, detergents and oils into the creek.

One of the aspects of the WaterWatch program that appeals to volunteers like James is that the data they collect is fed into a publicly accessible portal (www.vic.waterwatch.org.au) that provides a broader understanding of the health of the Merri Creek. This data helps guide MCMC and other organisations with planning efforts – highlighting trends, identifying problem areas, and determining which stakeholders to engage for solutions.

Volunteers make a difference

“I’m not a scientist,” says James. “But through the Merri Mayflies, I’ve learned so much about how weather and rain impact water quality, and how resilient the flora and fauna are around the creek. It’s great to feel like I’m contributing in a small way to paint a bigger picture of the health of the waterway.”

Julia highlights the pivotal role that volunteers like James can play in their communities – raising awareness of harmful products or promoting best practice around gardening and car washing.

“There are many simple changes we can all make to improve the water quality in the creek,” she says. “WaterWatch empowers participants and gives them the knowledge and skills to become passionate advocates for improved water quality in their area. Seeing the issues first-hand gives those volunteers the confidence to speak out and inspire others to act.”

Interesed in research by our own local citizen scientists, with a lense on the Merri Creek? Learn more about the water quality of the Merri, at this free community event. 

Fine out more, about volunteering with an MCMC WaterWatch Group.