A Review of Water Quality and Management Problems in Canal Estates in Western Australia

Abstract

Canal estates are located on the Peel-Harvey Estuarine System, a nutrient enriched waterbody with excessive growths of both macroalgae and phytoplankton. Yunderup Canals have poor water quality exhibiting typical symptoms including frequent phytoplankton blooms, depressed oxygen levels, odour emissions and fish kills. Water in Waterside Mandurah Canals is marginally poorer than that in the Peel Inlet Channel but within an acceptable range. The difference between developments is related to the proximity of the ocean and therefore tidal action. Canal water quality projections are made and several management options evaluated.