There are many native and naturally occurring aquatic plants that appear in Camden’s waterways.

Sometimes algae and native aquatic plants may bloom and form dense mats across the entire surface of a waterbody. Whilst it can look untidy, these native plants are an important food source for waterbirds and provide habitat for essential waterbugs.

The growth of these plants is part of a natural cycle in our waterways, with blooms usually occurring in response to a combination of high levels of available sunlight, slow moving waters and abundant nutrients.

Aquatic plants are great at removing excess nutrients from waterways and can help to reduce the likelihood of harmful blue-green algae blooms.

Floating aquatic plants will naturally leave the waterway when conditions change. This could be at the change of seasons, when they have used the available nutrients, or when there is a rainfall event that acts to flush the waterway.

You can help control the growth of aquatic plants by preventing nutrients from fertilisers, car washing and your pet waste from washing into our waterways, and taking the Be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution pledge.

If you suspect your local waterway is experiencing a blue-green algae bloom, check the Water Quality Map for the latest alerts. For information on other aquatic plants, check out your local Waterway Walk.

To find out information about aquatic weeds of concern, visit Council’s Invasive and Priority Weeds webpage. 

Some examples of aquatic plants found in the Camden area are shown here:

Azolla	Duckweed
Azolla is a native free-floating fern which will quickly spread given adequate nutrient levels and can often form dense mats across a waterbody. Young Azolla appears green, whilst mature or sun-exposed Azolla can appear red. This aquatic plant is common in healthy waterways and prefers stationary waterbodies, such as lakes or dams.	Duckweed is found on the surface of slow moving or stationary water bodies in nutrient rich conditions. They are tiny free-floating native plants with small oval shaped leaves, which can form dense green mats across waterways. Lemna, Wolffia and Spirodella are all types of Duckweed.
Filamentous Algae	Curly Pondweed
This type of algae appears as green, hair-like strands and can form clumps on the surface of the water. These strands intertwine to form matting which can often resemble wet wool. There are many species of filamentous algae, and more than one may be present at a time.	Curly pondweed grows in ribbon like strands just below the surface of the water. It prefers to grow in stationary and slow-moving water and provides important habitat for fish and a food source for waterbirds.

Did you know that water that runs off our driveways, roads, roofs, car parks, footpaths and gardens travels via our stormwater system to our local creeks and waterways? Usually this water isn’t treated so it’s important that it is kept as clean as possible.

By working together and pledging to make small changes in our everyday lives, we can improve the quality of water that ends up in our beautiful waterways. You can show your support and pledge to make a difference by taking the Be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution pledge.

While it might be fun to feed the wildlife at your local reserve or waterway, it can be very damaging to the animals’ health and create issues of malnutrition, poor water quality, behavioural problems and attract pests. Wildlife should be admired and respected from a distance. For more information, please refer to the Feeding the ducks does more harm than good information card.

Erosion and sediment controls are essential measures that prevent sediment and debris from entering streets, drains and our local waterways. By containing soil and managing waste and other materials on your building site, you can:

• Help keep our local waterways clean and healthy;
• Reduce site issues caused by wet weather; and
• Save on costs for replacing stockpiles that have been washed or blown away.

For more information, please refer to the Erosion and sediment control information card or the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website.

Large woody debris, also know as snags, refers to fallen trees, logs, branches, and any other woody material that accumulates in rivers, lakes or streams. Snags play a critical role within our aquatic ecosystems, providing habitat for aquatic and terrestrial animals, supporting biodiversity, and decreasing riverbed and bank erosion. They have also been shown to slow floodwaters and reduce downstream peaks. 

Many of the waterways in Camden are recognised as Key Fish Habitat by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Snags are important for aquatic animals as they provide: 

• Habitat for native fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates (water bugs);

• Spawning sites for fish;

• Hiding spots to help fish capture prey and hide from predators;

• A place for fish to rest during fast flows; and

• Safe basking spots for birds, turtles and water dragons.  

The decline of large woody debris in NSW rivers and streams, caused by historic removal and land clearing of riparian vegetation is listed as a key threatening process under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. 

Camden Council has developed the ‘Nepean River, Our River’ video series in partnership with Penrith City Council.

This video series explores the history and use of the Nepean River, what both Councils are doing to improve water quality and how you too can help limit your impact on our waterways.

To view the video series, refer to Waterway Education.

Council uses water quality data to assess the condition of our waterways. To view the Our Waterway Health report, refer to Water Quality Monitoring.

The platypus, or Djamalang in Dharawal language, is a unique Australian animal that occupies freshwater systems along the Australian east coast, including the Nepean River.

Camden Council is committed to improving the water quality of the Nepean River to ensure this iconic species continues to reside in our area. The platypus in Council’s logo is a reminder to keep our waterways healthy.

For more information on platypus in the Camden LGA or to report a sighting, please refer to the Platypus webpage.

Turbidity is the term for the cloudiness or haziness of water which can be caused by sediment suspended in the water column or a blue-green algae bloom.

Increased turbidity can occur after rainfall where rainwater travels over the landscape picking up sediment that eventually enters a waterway either directly or through a stormwater system. Turbidity in waterways is often worsened by human activities, such as land clearing, and building sites without any or improper erosion and sediment controls. Fast moving water and flooding can also cause bank erosion contributing to higher levels of turbidity.  

You can help reduce turbidity in your local waterways by ensuring proper erosion and sediment controls are implemented when building and landscaping your home, as well as by reporting poor erosion and sediment controls on development sites to Council on 13 22 63 or mail@camden.nsw.gov.au

Water pollution is the contamination of a waterway or water body by harmful substances, such as sediment, oils, paints, or chemicals. A pollution event will generally spread quickly through the waterway, can be in unusual colours (such as paints), haziness, or form iridescent sheens on the surface (such as oil spills).

However, not all sheens on the surface of the water are pollution; there are a wide variety of naturally occurring sheens often caused by bacteria decomposing organic material.

If you suspect a water pollution incident, please ensure you report it to Council on 13 22 63 or mail@camden.nsw.gov.au