Water Science

Explore each water quality parameter in more depth and understand your monthly citizen-science monitoring

Blackwater pros and cons video

At the right time of year, good blackwater is nature’s gum-leaf tea and is huge boost for our rivers, creeks and fish. In the wrong conditions, blackwater can be toxic. Learn more with this video.

And to learn how environmental water releases can help minimise the impacts of blackwater watch this video.

  • Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

From River Detective students to WaterWatch volunteers video

A lovely story about the pathway from the River Detectives program to WaterWatch volunteering, highlighting the importance of fostering care for nature in the next generation and the future opportunities for River Detectives students.

  • Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

The pH scale explained

A great explanation of the pH scale, acidity and alkalinity in relation to everyday objects.  Please note; alkaline substances are referred to as ‘bases’ in this video.

The acidity and alkalinity of substances are related to taste in the video – be clear with students that they should NOT be tasting anything that is not food.

  • Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Tullaroop Catchment Project River Health Snapshot

Gauge the health of waterways in the Tullaroop Catchment project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists. ​

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

What is environmental DNA (eDNA) ? video

This short video explains how eDNA can help us detect native and invasive species by providing evidence about what is or isn’t present in the environment – it’s like nature’s genetic fingerprint !  eDNA testing is innovative technology that enables the detection of species without having to see, hear or catch them.  eDNA offers an unprecedented opportunity for monitoring endangered and invasive species, as well as for biodiversity assessments.

  • Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

River Detectives data entry instructional video

Watch this video to help you enter your water quality data into the River Detectives data portal or use this illustrated guide.

  • Guide/Activity booklet, Teacher, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Frank Steele’s volunteer video story

To celebrate the Waterwatch Program’s 30th anniversary, Frank Steele shares why he has enjoyed volunteering as a water quality monitor for the past 11 years.  His story highlights the value in monitoring intermittent waterways and collecting photos, even in dry times, as a way of tracking change over time and measuring climate change.  To read the written story click here.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Pesticide Watch guide

During 2023 some regions will value add to their monthly water quality monitoring by participating in Pesticide Watch, a nation-wide program run by Deakin University helping communities identify pesticides in their local waterways through citizen-science.

Find out more by reading this guide or join the Pesticide Watch Facebook Page.  A video of the testing process can be viewed here.

For pesticide teaching resources click here.

To ask questions about the testing process or Pesticide Watch project contact Brady Hamilton from Deakin University directly; brady.hamilton@deakin.edu.au

  • Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Sustainable Agriculture, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Caring For The Campaspe Project River Health Snapshot 2021

Gauge the health of waterways in the Campaspe River using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Deans Marsh PS Story

Deans Marsh PS is an active River Detectives school in the Corangamite CMA region embedding the program into the curriculum, into their school’s broader sustainability initiatives and connecting with their community.  Watch the video to hear their highlights or read the full story here !

  • General, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water bugs, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Stawell PS Story

Stawell PS is a River Detectives school in the Wimmera CMA region exploring and testing waterways from local lakes to streams in Gariwerd (Grampians National Park).  Watch the video to hear their highlights or read the full story here  !

  • General, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Bendigo Creek Citizen Science Project River Health Snapshots

Gauge the health of the Bendigo Creek using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

To view and compare the 2021 report click here

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Healthy Coliban Catchment Project River Health Snapshots

Gauge the health of waterways in the Healthy Coliban Catchment project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists

To view and compare the 2021 report click here.

  • Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

RiverScan Project River Health Snapshots

Gauge the health of waterways in the RiverScan project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

To view and compare the 2021 report click here.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Site Selection Checklist

When choosing your site along a waterway or at a wetland for citizen-science activities (water quality monitoring, waterbug sampling and habitat surveys) there are many things to consider.  Please refer to this checklist to assist you.

  • Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Teacher, Water bugs, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

The impact of animal poo on our waterways

This article (and video) explains the impact animal poo has on our waterways and makes some interesting  comparisons between the impact of native animal poo and exotic animal poo.  The article is quite detailed but information can be extracted for younger students.  The video is short and simple.

  • Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Nature-scrolling activity

A nature scroll is simply a long, narrow piece of paper used to record your responses to nature, in words and pictures.  It can be a portable, bite-sized alternative to nature journalling and a wonderful way for your students to engage with their local environment or make observations whilst at your adopted water testing site.  Make it scientific, make it artistic or both !

  • Activity Sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), General, Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

River Detectives Program School Plan

Use this School Plan to start a conversation with colleagues delivering the River Detectives program in your setting.  This is a great template to use at the start of the year with lots of useful questions to promote thinking and space to document the approach you plan to take.

There is also a useful template for sharing your River Detectives data and experience with others at the end of a term/year.

 

  • Activity Sheet, General, Teacher, Water bugs, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

River Rehab: Protecting Waterways From Livestock video

Watch this video to see how Tasmania’s farmers are taking measures to reduce degradation of the state’s waterways from livestock.

This video introduces students to sustainable farming practices that protect waterways and increase farm productivity simultaneously.

Draw your own farm plan and illustrate how it can be managed sustainably.

  • Catchments, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Make your own rain gauge video and experiment

Join Wally the Water Scientist and Kristy from Goulburn Valley Water to learn how to make a rain gauge and why tracking rainfall is an interesting and informative activity.

A great activity to connect maths, science and environmental learning.

  • Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Video/Audio, Water cycles, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Microplastics in our streams video

This video takes us on a journey with scientists conducting field research on the microplastics being washed down our waterways.  It could provide inspiration to conduct research at your own waterway about the prevalence of these tiny but damaging pieces of pollution . . .

  • Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Urban/Storm Water, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Water Quality Data Sheet

Use this data sheet on site or at school to record your water quality data each month.  Make sure you enter your water science data online at the ‘Let’s Test and Record’ tab of this website.

  • Activity Sheet, All, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

River Detectives Field Manual

This is a copy of the Field Manual you receive a version of in your water quality test kit.  If you lose your hard copy you can access it here.  Be aware that this is the full manual – some pages may be irrelevant to you depending on the equipment you have and the region you are in.

  • Flora (plants), Guide/Activity booklet, Teacher, Water bugs, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Water Quality Rating Charts

Numbers are just numbers until you work out what they mean.  Use the regional water quality rating chart from the Field Manual in your kit to compare your data for EC, turbidity, reactive phosphorus and pH to assess the health of your waterway.  Or use the links below to print an enlarged copy for student use;

Corangamite CMA, Melbourne Water, North East CMA, North Central CMA, Wimmera CMA

  • All, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Poster, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

The Waterwatch Story

The North Central Waterwatch Program aims to increase the knowledge and skills of community, supporting them to become custodians of local waterways.  River Detectives is the school/youth based component of the program. This video will help your students understand the community of passionate people that they belong to by being a River Detective.

  • All, General, Video/Audio, Water Science, Waterways,
  • North Central CMA,

Riparian Zone Poster

An excellent graphic to highlight the key features of a healthy riparian zone compared to a degraded riparian zone.  Great for conversations about water quality, habitat health, land practices and shared community responsibility for the health of our waterways.

  • All, Catchments, Flora (plants), Poster, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Water Quality Results Posters

Use these posters to record and display your monthly or yearly results at a glance.  Share them with others by printing in the school / community newsletter or displaying them in the classroom, school foyer or even a local shop or community meeting place.

  • All, Poster, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

pH Scale

This graphic is the perfect tool to introduce pH, explain acidity and alkalinity to students and compare your pH reading to everyday household items.

  • All, Poster, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Salinity Scale

Use this resource to check the salinity tolerances of humans, crops, livestock, compare your EC results and understand how salinity can impact on all areas of life.

 

  • All, Fact sheet, Poster, Salinity, Sustainable Agriculture, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Salinity in our waterways poster

Use this poster to explore the issue of salinity and examine positive and negative land management practices that contribute to the issue.

  • All, Poster, Salinity, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Salinity – fact sheet

Salinity refers to the movement and concentration of salt through the landscape. Find out more here!

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Salinity, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Algae fact sheet

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Phosphorus – fact sheet

Your quick reference guide to all things phosphorus.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Blackwater Fact sheet

Find out about why water sometimes turns black!

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Foam fact sheet

Find out how and why foam occurs in waterways.

  • Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
  • All Regions,

Fresh and Salty Booklet

This booklet complements the Fresh and Salty video with teacher notes and lesson plans

 

  • Catchments, Guide/Activity booklet, Salinity, Teacher, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Turbidity Fact Sheet

  • All, Fact sheet, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

pH Fact sheet

  • All, Fact sheet, Water Science,
  • All Regions,

Fresh and Salty video

Fresh and Salty is a highly engaging short animated film produced by the Wimmera CMA.  It is the perfect way to introduce the topic of salinity to your students

  • All, Catchments, Salinity, Video/Audio, Water Science,
  • All Regions,