Water catchments are widely recognized as the most effective management unit for the protection of water resources, both water quality and supply. A water catchment (commonly referred to as a “watershed”) is an area of land where all water flows to a single stream, river, lake or even ocean.

Why is it important to protect our water catchments?

Human activities near the drinking water catchments can harm water quality. ... To help protect the water supply, public access to the areas surrounding most major dams is prohibited or restricted. This protected bushland acts as buffer zones which are part of the multi-barrier approach to protecting water quality.

Why is the catchment management important?

Catchment management is playing an increasingly important role in reducing the levels of potential contaminants in raw waters. An efficiently managed scheme will help to reduce pollution from agriculture and also help to control urban and chemical pollution from sites within a catchment.