Waterway Health

Waterway Health

The Nepean River and Wianamatta South Creek all lie within the Penrith City Council Local Government Area (LGA), along with many other creeks and tributaries. The rivers, creeks and surrounding areas are used by residents and visitors for a variety of activities including recreational boating, fishing, skiing, canoeing and picnics.

To help prevent pollution entering the rivers, Penrith Council implements Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). WSUD helps to replicate natural environments and reduce litter entering the waterways. In natural environments rainwater evaporates, gets absorbed by plants, or soaks into the ground. Urban development dramatically changes the natural rainwater process, because land clearing and increased development reduces the amount of permeable surface area.

Impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways, pathways and roads don’t allow rainwater to soak into the environment, increasing runoff, which pollutes creeks and rivers.

Stormwater and its impacts

Stormwater and runoff from roads, roofs, pathways, car parks and urban areas impact our waterways. Learn the about different sources of pollution and how you can help.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Learn about Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and how it helps to improve water quality, the different ways stormwater is treated, and Council’s WSUD projects.

Waterway Health Fact sheets

Fact sheets, tools and resources to assist residents in understanding Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and stormwater.

WSUD Policy and Developer’s Toolkit

Resources to assist in the implementation of effective water sensitive urban design (WSUD).