The Crystal Waters Lagoon is located on Lakeside Drive, Sapphire Beach NSW and is approximately 1 hectare in size.

Our project aims to conduct comprehensive water quality sampling on the lagoon to identify the impact of stormwater runoff. The tests will detect the current pH, conductivity, salinity, turbidity, dissolved solids, calcium hardness, alkalinity, faecal coliforms and heavy metals.

The urgency for conducting a water quality test was highlighted earlier this year when there was a fish kill in the lagoon, causing community concern. The lagoon has a wide diversity of wildlife which the community was concerned would be impacted by possible poor water quality. To ensure the results provide an effective analysis of the lagoon a series of 36 individual sample tests will be completed by Coffs Harbour Laboratory. These tests will be conducted before and after rainfall to provide a good indication on the pollutant levels.

The Coffs Harbour Protection of the Environment Trust will seek to work with both the Crystal Waters Landcare Group and Coffs Harbour City Council, so that effective measures can be put in place to improve of the catchment moving forward.

Some quick facts about the project

• The Coffs Harbour Protection of the Environment Trust is raising funds for the project. Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare volunteers will be assisting with collecting water samples once the project has commenced.
• The Crystal Waters Lagoon is owned by Coffs Coast Regional Park and managed by Coffs Harbour City Council. Our Trust has permissions from both entities to undertake the water sampling project.
• Coffs Harbour City Council is currently running a comprehensive Ecoheath waterway monitoring program in conjunction with the University of New England, with funding from both Council and the Coasts and Estuaries Program of DPIE. This program assesses the condition of 9 Coffs creeks and estuaries, as well as the Orara and Bucca Bucca creek. Click here for further information.
• Unfortunately, as the Crystal Waters Lagoon is not directly connected to the ocean or major waterway, it is not part of the Ecohealth sampling program. Hence the need for a separate investigation into water quality by the Coffs Harbour Environmental Trust, which acts as another mechanism for the protection and enhancement of the environment in the Coffs Harbour local government area.

We Need your help!

To complete this important project for the community we need your help! Our goal is to raise $6,120 to have an effective analysis of the water samples completed by Coffs Harbour Laboratory. To donate please contact Prosper Coffs Harbour on admin@prospercoffs.org.au or click on the ‘donate’ button on our home page to make a donation to our Environmental Trust online.