Quarry Creek monitoring results

pH probes not operational, water noted to be dark colour (urban runoff).

Light rain in morning, dry during testing, low flows noted at upstream site. Iron Bacteria noted at outlet and various points along the creek. Noting the moderate turbidity of 23.8NTU for the outlet sample, levels at the KFAC bridge were much lower at 4NTU.

No water upstream, could not test. pH probes not working.

No water upstream, could not test. pH probes not working.

Note dewatering at the time, water clear with low turbidity.

Initial Downstream test taken at 9.21am, prior to dewatering commencing. Following start of dewatering, the sample team observed higher turbidity and at around 10.27am turbidity levels were recorded between 84.5-104.5NTU. Council’s projects Management team was contacted and dewatering was stopped approximately 10.30am with a review of the dewatering procedures undertaken to identify the cause of the increased turbidity in the outflow. Council staff reported this incident on non-compliant dewatering to the EPA.

Noted that First pool turbidity back down to 11.1 following the incident on the previous day.

Low flows noted at upstream site.

No water upstream, could not test.

No water upstream, could not test.

No water upstream, could not test.

No water upstream, could not test.

No water upstream, could not test.

No water upstream, could not test.

No water upstream, could not test. Lots of water noted at outlet area. 

No water upstream - could not test. 

Upstream - no flow to sample.

Upstream - no flow to sample.

Upstream - no flow to sample.

Evidence that sediment had been washed from outlet into the creek, causing high turbidity from the first pool downstream of the outlet (128NTU) to KFAC bridge (13.2NTU). Council staff notified EPA, organised removal of sediment and sediment laden water and commenced investigation into the source of the turbidity.

Upstream - no flow to sample.

Outlet - turbidity adjusting back to normal following clean-up.

Upstream - no flow to sample.

Upstream - no flow to sample.

Sample team N/A

*Reading from KFAC bridge - sensor not working at outlet due to low flow and high iron bacteria (pocket probe pH reading for Outlet = 7.3)

Continue to monitor.

# Sensor not working at upstream (very low flow), pH measured with pocket probe.

^ High iron bacteria impacting turbidity reading at outlet, water noted as clear and KFAC bridge NTU=2.

Sample team N/A

Very low flows meant it was not possible to sample at Yanko Road.

* Outlet sample from KFAC Bridge due to Low flows, Iron Bacteria and sensor error.

# Low flows upstream meant this reading was collected approx 50m upstream of Yanko Road.

Iron Bacteria near the outlet impacting turbidity readings.

99.2

In situ test

# Low flows upstream meant this reading was collected approx 50m upstream of Yanko Road.

In situ turbidity measurements at the outlet heavily impacted by Iron Bacteria. Second test undertaken by collecting water and testing in a bucket confirmed low turbidity in flow as observed.

 4.7

Collected test

Sample team N/A

High turbidity noted during late afternoon testing - Projects team notified next morning to investigate cause.

No activity on site during testing.

Outlet turbidity reducing following Monday afternoon high reading.

Pocket probe pH readings recorded. Moderate turbidity in 'side pipe' flows 27.8 NTU.

Sample team N/A

Using repaired monitoring probe - turbidity calibration to zero slightly off. Upstream testing taken further upstream from Lofberg Road due to low flow.

N/A

47.8

7.29

Repaired monitoring probe recalibrated.

Upstream testing taken further upstream from Lofberg Road due to low flow.

High Iron Bacteria at outlet with sediments disturbed at the outlet sample aera. No evidence of turbid flows coming through NG outlet pipe and downstream sites clear - KFAC bridge 5.9 NTU, Streamwatch 21.4 NTU.

Observe to ensure turbidity is just due to disturbed iron bacteria.

Continue to monitor. Side pipe pH 9 impacting outlet results.

Turbid water reported by EPA. Incident under investigation.

40

10.12

Iron Bacteria present - turbidity levels still clearing after incident on 31/7. pH high upstream and at outlet - suspect upstream water quality issue, however cause could not be identified.

Continue to monitor.

Continue to monitor.

No rainfall and high iron bacteria load affecting turbidity at Normal Griffiths Outlet Cage (isolated to the outlet area). Iron bacteria also present further downstream and in adjacent branch of the creek. Turbidity measuring 8 NTU at KFAC bridge and 15.1 NTU at the stream watch site where sampling could be undertaken away from Iron Bacteria.

172

N/A

No rainfall and high iron bacteria load affecting turbidity at Normal Griffiths Outlet Cage (isolated to the outlet area). Iron bacteria also present further downstream and in adjacent branch of the creek. Turbidity measuring 13.8 NTU at KFAC bridge and 13.5 NTU at the stream watch site.

Sample team N/A.

N/A

N/A

Low rainfall and high Iron Bacteria load affecting turbidity at Normal Griffiths Outlet cage (isolated to the outlet area). Iron bacteria also present further downstream and in adjacent branch of the creek. Turbidity measuring 11.4 NTU at KFAC bridge and 32.3 NTU at the Streamwatch site (impacted by Iron Bacteria).

Good - continue to observe.

Downstream sample taken from first pool as contractors working near headwall, dewatering also noted - continue to observe - likely to be local disturbance due to works. NTU of 23.3 recorded at KFAC bridge, 15.2 at the Streamwatch site.

11.8

N/A

Good - continue to observe.

Good - continue to observe.

Continue to monitor.

Continue to monitor.

Turbid water identified escaping through pipe joint. Contractor commissioned to inspect joint and plan emergency repair works.

100-500

(morning)

6.5

(morning)

Measurements taken three times during the day - once before and twice after patching works were completed. Water quality showed improvement following patching works.

Mid-morning pH 6.34; Turbidity 27.5 NTU

then

Afternoon pH 6.25; Turbidity 23.2 NTU

Outlet sample impacted by high turbid flows coming from the side pipe pH7.95; Turbidity 151.6 NTU.

Project team notified and report made to customer service for rangers to inspect high turbidity in the side pipe catchment (Ryde Road Catchment).

Section of pipe collapsed during re-lining works, resulting in sediment pollution event that overwhelmed on-site controls. Incident quickly notified to projects team and EPA with actions including establishment of sediment check dams and removal of debris from the pipe implemented asap.

Continue to monitor and clean up following event.

*Pipe re-lining works blocking access to outlet sample point. Downstream samples taken from KFAC bridge.

Turbidity significantly reduced from previous day, however still high following pipe collapse and ongoing clean-up activities.

Turbidity levels quickly improving downstream, Streamwatch site pH 5.87; Turbidity 20.1 NTUs.

Continue to monitor and clean up following event.

*Pipe re-lining works blocking access to outlet sample point. Downstream samples taken from KFAC bridge.

^#Sample taken from first pool downstream of headwall.

KFAC Bridge results show good improvement in response to clean up works – pH 6.67; Turbidity 10 NTUs.

Sample team NA.

Post sediment pollution clean-up works ongoing in first pool downstream from headwall.

Continue to monitor and clean up following event.

Site treatment and dewatering during testing, continue to monitor.

Downstream sample taken from pool below outlet due to pipe lining works being undertaken at the outlet. Minor activity around the pipe headwall resulted in stirring up sediment in vicinity of the outlet and a high turbidity reading. This high turbidity was localised and reduced quickly downstream to (30.5 at site 3 - KFAC Bridge).

Watch and ensure works do not cause downstream sediment issues.

Turbidity good, pH slightly low with decreased flow, continue to monitor.

Site treatment and dewatering during sampling.

Low water levels during testing in morning, dewatering undertaken in afternoon. pH dropping with decreasing flow, continue to monitor.

pH still slightly low with decreased flow, continue to monitor.

High flows following heavy rain over the weekend.

Hight turbidity of 51.7 NTU from side pipe near outlet – residential site in catchment lacking sediment control issues reported to rangers.

Turbidity of 56.2 NTU from side pipe near outlet – continue to monitor.

Council request contractor to ensure water is removed from site prior to forecast rain.

Sample team not available. 

Contractor removing water from site prior to forecast rain.

Further rainfall resulting in increasing turbidity – continue to monitor.

No available flow upstream meant that site could not be sampled.

Dewatering during sampling – low pH reported to project manager and de-watering ceased for investigation and rectification. 

pH probe not working.

No available flow upstream and works near the outlet meant that sites could not be sampled.

Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre (KFAC) Bridge readings provided for downstream.

pH probe not working.

No available flow upstream and works near the outlet meant that sites could not be sampled.

KFAC Bridge readings provided for downstream. Works disturbing sediment, continue to monitor turbidity.

pH probe not working.

No available flow upstream meant that site could not be sampled.

Low flows meant site could not be sampled directly at outlet – downstream pool measured as alternative.

N/A - Probe in service

No available flow upstream meant that site could not be sampled.

Dewatering during sampling – low pH reported to project manager and de-watering ceased for investigation and rectification. 

Water level low, iron bacteria present at downstream sample area, no evidence of sediment laden water.

Turbidity levels decreased downstream and were 22.1 NTU at the Stream Watch monitoring site.  

Continue to monitor.

Water level low, iron bacteria present at downstream sample area, no evidence of sediment laden water.

Continue to monitor.

Lots of Iron Bacteria in downstream sample area, additional reading done slightly further downstream, returning a result of 12.2 NTU. 

Continue to monitor.

Upstream site very low flows, Iron Bacteria remains at downstream site.

Continue to monitor.

Upstream site very low flows, Iron Bacteria remains at downstream site.

Continue to monitor.

High pH detected during site de-watering for a second time. Contractor instructed to stop all de-watering activities immediately and to check the system and procedures. Site inspection by Council staff on Monday afternoon result in instructions to change the pump arrangement. 

(Council formally reported incidents on non-compliance with EMP to the EPA on 14/05)