Derwent Estuary quality improving

The 2023 state of the Derwent report card has highlighted some promising improvements in the Derwent Estuary.

Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) chief executive officer Ursula Taylor said several collaborative initiatives, programs and trials had been successful throughout the year.

“One of the great results we’ve shared this year is the improvement of water quality at our local swimming sites and the success of our forecasting trial,” she said.

“Four swimming sites have improved with Howrah Beach (east), Nutgrove Beach (east and west) and Taroona Beach rising from fair to good.

“Our daily forecast trial was successful, which updated the community with timely advice to help people decide where and when they swim during summer.

“We look forward to establishing a permanent solution in the future based on community feedback.”

The Derwent Estuary Report Card provides yearly insights into the health of the Derwent Estuary.

Along with monitoring results for swimming beaches, this report also reveals trends in industrial, sewage and stormwater discharge, heavy metal levels in water and seafood and actions to clean up the Derwent.

“An increase in nutrients discharged from sewage treatment plants to the estuary in 2023 has been driven by above average rainfall, compromised infrastructure and general increases from high density urban areas,” Ms Taylor said.

“Despite continued improvements, some deterioration in water quality within New Town Bay has been observed and together we are committed to understanding why this has occurred.”

“We continue to observe long-term reductions in zinc in the Derwent which is supported by declines in Derwent sediments.

“Nyrstar Hobart has demonstrated a strong commitment to preventing contaminated groundwater reaching the estuary and its groundwater remediation systems have extracted more than 300 tonnes of zinc from groundwater in the past three years.”

To read the full 2023 State of the Derwent Report Card visit www.reportcard.derwentestuary.org.au/2023