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Beckenham WA 6107

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Phosphorus Action Group (PAG)

The Phosphorus Action Group (PAG) is a group of volunteers who are concerned about the health of the Swan and Canning Rivers and wetlands in the Perth Metropolitan Area. Of particular concern is the high level of nutrients that are causing the growth of algal blooms in these systems.

The PAG was formed in October 1998 as a sub group of the Canning Catchment Coordinating Group, now SERCUL. The main aim of the volunteer group is to reduce nutrient loads to the Swan and Canning Rivers and wetlands by mounting an awareness campaign. This campaign is part of SERCUL’s ‘Phosphorus Awareness Project’ which is managed by Project Coordinator, Amy Krupa.

Aims
The PAG aims to reduce the amount of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) people contribute to waterways through stormwater drains and catchment run-off by:

Making the connections for people between their backyards, the stormwater drainage system and water bodies such as the Swan and Canning Rivers;

Educating householders to use P-free (NP) detergents, particularly in unsewered areas of the catchment, and to consider the contribution of pet faeces to nutrient loads in the catchment as well as bread fed to water birds; and

Promoting appropriate fertiliser practises for the soils of the region. The lack of general awareness of nutrients in fertilisers is a target for the campaign

Through education the group targets the community, schools, local government and industry to encourage them to decrease their nutrient outputs.

PAG's work is funded by the Swan River Trust.

The algae problem
The Swan and Canning River systems and many wetlands are in a poor state of health, judging by the undesirable and sometimes toxic algal blooms that occur regularly during warmer months.

Algae are plants that grow naturally in our rivers and wetlands but when they bloom they are undesirable for many reasons. They kill aquatic flora and fauna by starving them of oxygen, can be toxic to humans and animals and can cause skin irritations, are unsightly and foul smelling, and prevent recreational use of the river.

Too many nutrients
High levels of phosphorus and nitrogen present in the Swan and Canning River systems and wetlands are promoting the growth of blue green and other problem algae, especially in the middle to lower reaches of the Canning and the middle reaches of the Swan. Algae use excess phosphorus and nitrogen to grow and multiply rapidly to large numbers, thriving when the weather is warm and sunny and the water flow is slow.

Phosphorus and nitrogen, essential plant and animal nutrients naturally present in our waterways and soils in very low concentrations, are readily dissolved in water and easily pass through the food chain. Whilst low levels sustain life, excessive amounts of nutrients cause serious water quality problems.

Nutrients accumulate in the environment as a result of human activity. We are using too many nutrients in our daily living. Nutrients entering the Swan, Canning and wetlands originate from:

Fertilisers
Plant material (especially grass clippings and leaves)
Soil
Dog faeces
Detergents
Leakages from septic tanks
Bread fed to water birds
Intensive agriculture and industrial sources

Garden fertilisers are the largest threat to our rivers as nutrients added to our sandy soils are easily leached.

Everyone lives in a catchment and contributes nutrients to river and wetland systems. Nutrients are carried by water over land through erosion and run-off, through soil by leaching to groundwater, through smaller creeks and streams and through street drains, which are connected to the river. About 64 tonnes of phosphorus is carried by Perth’s urban stormwater system each year.

School and community education
Please browse through the For Educators section of this site for more information about these initiatives or contact Amy at SERCUL.

Latest Education Newsletter
SERCUL Education Newsletter (#19)
     Term 3, 2008

Downloads
Resources available for schools list
Dog poo flyer
"Don't feed the birds" flyer
Phosphorous-Free detergents list
Phosphorous-Free detergents flyer
"Green Lawns = Green Rivers" brochure
Alternative Cleaners brochure
Washing your car flyer

Click here for more downloads