Local residents and visitors to Camden already use the Nepean River for various forms of recreation, from fishing to kayaking and even swimming.
And while Camden Council does not formally support swimming in the river, it has launched a new Nepean River recreational water quality map to help the community stay in the know about the water quality.
The new map provides a clear, easy-to-read recreational snapshot of water quality of the Nepean River.
Council monitors the Nepean River weekly from November through to the end of March and uses a simple traffic light style to show short-term water quality data on the map – red is poor, orange is fair and green is good.
Mayor of Camden Therese Fedeli says council often receives questions about the safety and suitability of the river for different recreational uses.
“The results of council’s monitoring, which are uploaded to this new, interactive map, can help you make an informed decision about using the river,” Mayor Fedeli said.
“Council’s new Nepean River recreational water quality map is a great place to start to be in the know, but there are other things to consider before using the river recreationally.
“Residents should avoid contact with the water during and for three days after rain; make sure to look for any visible signs of pollution; and always check for other hazards.
“We’re so blessed to have such wonderful natural resources and landscape, right here in our backyard. We encourage everyone to enjoy what Camden has to offer, but to do it safely and responsibly.”
Council does not recommend or support recreation at the sampling locations indicated on the map (link below).
It says that monitoring has consistently shown that the water quality is almost never suitable for primary contact recreation, such as swimming, so caution is advised.
The new map is part of Camden Council’s wider plan to better connect the community with the Nepean River, including the development of the Nepean River Corridor Study.
This project aims to identify ways council can progressively work towards improving access to and along the river for the community to enjoy safely.
To access the full interactive water quality map, visit camden.nsw.gov.au/environment/waterways/water–quality–monitoring/nepean–river–recreationalwater–quality