The overall health of the Canning River has improved over the past two years.
Camera IconThe overall health of the Canning River has improved over the past two years. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

River water quality improves

Katelyn Booth, Canning TimesCanning Gazette

The study assessed the ecological health of the Canning River above Kent Street Weir in Wilson during December 2009 to September 2011.

No health risks towards residents were identified in the report. A City of Canning spokesman said the City had been informed by the department that the report did not highlight any major threats to ecology.

‘The DoW has informed the City that further studies will be undertaken to identify any contaminants in urban drains entering the Kent Street Weir Pool,’ he said. ‘It is our priority to assist with the protection and conservation of the river’s ecological values through continued improvement initiatives.’

Department of Water science branch manager Malcolm Robb said that the report indicated the stressed state of the Kent Street Weir pool was due to reduced rainfall and climate change but the river had come a long way since 1994.

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‘The report finds that water quality has been greatly improved over the past two decades and will continue to improve through the partnership activities now in place,’ Mr Robb said.

‘The report documents a study of potential contaminants that may have accumulated upstream of the weir pool as a result of urban and industrial land use practices over many years.’

The City will continue to work closely with the DoW, Swan River Trust, South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL), community environmental volunteer groups and key stakeholders.