Redland City Catchment has received another “F” grade for the state of its freshwater waterways.
The disappointing result for Redland was the same as last year but down from 2012’s D-.
The grade was announced in this year’s Healthy Waterways report card, which ranks the state of south-east Queensland rivers and estuaries from A to F.
Throughout the region, eight catchments maintained the same grade, nine declined and two improved.
Moreton Bay’s overall grade rose from C to B-
Experts blamed the lack of improvement and overall decline in quality of drinking water catchments across the south east on extra mud and silt.
A drop in riverbank vegetation and low rainfall reduced the amount of water and habitat for fish and aquatic animals in Redland’s freshwater catchments.
Another disappointing result for Redland was the decline in water quality in Tingalpa Estuary from a B- last year to a C+ this year.
Tingalpa, Noosa and Albert estuaries, were the only ones in the south east to fall drop standards, which was blamed on increases in algae and less oxygen in the water.
However, not all the news was bad for Redland waters.
Eprapah Estuary received its highest grade ever recorded and rose from B- to B.
Water quality improved in Central Bay, rising from C+ to B-; Eastern Bay rose from B+ to A- and Southern Bay rose from D to D+.
Waterloo Bay kept its B rating from last year and Eastern Banks kept it’s A rating.
WHAT do you think? Has the water quality in and around Redland city changed?
