Port waterways
The Port waterways (Port River and Barker Inlet Estuary) are north west of Adelaide. Residential and industrial areas surround the Port River while suburban encroachment is occurring along the southern part of Barker Inlet.
This diverse estuary includes deep channels, large areas of fringing mangroves, extensive tidal flats and seagrass beds. It is an important nursery for fish and marine invertebrates. The waterways support a diverse and abundant bird population.
Problems facing the Port waterways
The Port waterways was suffering from extensive nutrient pollution.
This pollution led to phytoplankton blooms and the abundant growth of nuisance algae such as Ulva (sea lettuce). Phytoplankton blooms cause noticeable discoloration of the water column, reduce water clarity and sometimes consist of species that are toxic and have led to the prohibition of the collection of shellfish throughout some areas of the Port River. Ulva and other macroalgae form floating rafts that block cooling water intakes, smother mangrove pneumatophores and accumulate along the shoreline in large drifts that decompose, producing unpleasant odours.
The major sources of nutrients entering the waterways for many decades have been from the Bolivar wastewater treatment plant and the Penrice soda ash plant (discharges ceased in July 2013) at Osborne. Stormwater is also a source of nutrients for the Port waterways and Adelaide’s coastal waters.
Improving water quality
Water quality monitoring
Further information