Urban Waterways

Every Home, Our Waterways

In towns and suburbs, creeks, lakes and rivers often flow out of sight through gutters, drains and wetlands. But every home is connected to a waterway, through down pipes, gutters and storm water drains.

Caring for our waterways supports healthy communities and the water we all rely on. In cities, small, everyday choices play a role in shaping the health of urban waterways.

Why Urban Waterway Protection Matters

Everyone in our urban areas plays a part in caring for our waterways.

Stormwater drains flow directly into creeks, lakes and rivers, without treatment. As rain moves across roofs, roads and gardens, it can carry litter, leaves, soil and nutrients into waterways.

What happens around homes and streets adds up accross the city or town. Across many neighbourhoods, small impacts can add up to affect water quality, wildlife habitat and the places people value for cooling down in summer, walking and recreation.

Stormwater drains flow straight into our waterways untreated

Leaves, grass clippings and fertiliser washed down the drain can fuel algal blooms

Dog poo is a major source of nutrient pollution

Loopy and O shaped litter can entangle and drown platypus

Small actions can have a big impact in caring for urban waterways and our platypus

Everyday Life, Through a Water Lens

Across the city, people already influence water health in everyday ways, often without realising it.

Preventing leaves and grass clippings from washing into drains prevents algal blooms
Gardening without fertilisers reduces nutrient polution which can harm the waterbugs platypus need as food
Picking up Litter stops it being washed into our creeks and wetlands
Permeable surfaces that can abosrb rain slows down stormwater flow

Together, these small actions shape the health of urban waterways.

Noticing the Seasons

Urban waterways change with the year, influenced by weather, gardens and how water moves through streets.

Spring

A time of growth and activity. Join the majority of Canberrans who garden without fertiliser to help protect our waterways. Check out the biodiversity around our wetlands, rivers and lakes

Summer

Summer can bring heavy rains and fast flows so make sure gutters and drains stay clear of leaves. Cool off in or around our wonderful waterways

Autumn

Rain and falling leaves can move nutrients into our waterways. Pick up leaves from your garden and ensure only rain goes down the storm water drain.

Winter

A great time to spot platypus, these wonderful creatures need our help to keep living in our city. Join in the fun during Platypus Month in August

Throghout the year you can enjoy and care for our waterways.

Staying Connected

City waterways are shared places. Lakes, creeks, wetlands and rivers connect our neighbourhoods. While care for these places can be personal, they are experienced together through everyday life.

Noticing how water moves through streets and public spaces can bring a broader perspective, connecting homes, local wildlife and the places water flows to downstream.

Every home is connected to our waterways and together we form a catchment community.