Learning to Read the River: Howqua Valley Landcare Water Testing

Despite a drizzly, cold morning, five dedicated members of the Howqua Valley Landcare group came together recently for an informative session on water testing, led by Sue Kosch from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA).

It was a genuinely eye-opening morning. The group learned a great deal, including the finer points of calibrating pH devices — more of an art than you might expect — and discovered something surprising: even when the Howqua River looks murky, it's actually relatively clear by the numbers.

Coming out of the session, Sophie and Andy have committed to testing the Howqua River at the beginning of each month, each at a fixed point on their respective properties, with an additional testing site above the Running Creek campground. The team will be recording pH, turbidity, dissolved salts, and water temperature, with all results going directly to the GBCMA for ongoing recording and monitoring. David, Louise, and Claire will be on hand as backup whenever needed.

A big thank you goes to Sue Kosch for generously giving her time, to David Looker for getting the ball rolling, and to everyone who braved the weather to attend.

Looking ahead, the group will also be making further enquiries into testing for E. coli, which would involve a separate testing process and potentially a grant to help cover the associated costs. Watch this space!