Adopt-A-SQID
What is a SQID?
A SQID (Stormwater Quality Improvement Device) helps to filter stormwater runoff, which can carry sediments and other pollutants into our waterways and lake.
SQIDs work by collecting heavy sediments such as soil and litter from stormwater runoff as well as filtering harmful nutrients, before the water flows into the lake.
SQIDs are located in key catchment areas and may be a constructed wetlands, gross pollutant traps, sediment basins, or a combination these.
Adopt-a-SQID Program
New and existing community groups can ‘Adopt-a-SQID’ or a local waterway by monitoring and reporting on the health and quality of water at a specific (SQID) site.
Council uses these results to continually monitor and improve stormwater management.
The primary aim of the program is to involve the community in protecting the health of local waterways. The project has the capacity to contribute significantly to the sustainable management of stormwater.
The Adopt-a-SQID program funded by: Lake Macquarie City Council, Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority through Hunetr-Central Rivers Waterwatch, and Eraring Energy.
It is also supported by: Hunter Water Corporation, Lake Macquarie Landcare, and the Department of Natural Resources.
Program History
The program began in August 2000. Fifty-seven groups have registered or joined the Adopt-a-SQID program, registering 122 sites for water monitoring with Waterwatch, the world’s largest community water monitoring program.
Currently 44 Adopt-a-SQID groups are active, involving over 1000 residents and school students.
Adopt-a-SQID Groups
Adopt-a-SQID groups are currently located in:
| Arcadia Vale, Sawmill Creek | Garden Suburb, Gymea Drive SQID |
| Barnsley, Flaggy Creek | Gateshead, Kennedy Creek |
| Belmont North, Fairweather Ave SQID | Glendale, Winding Creek |
| Bonnells Bay, Verdelho Street SQID | Hillsborough, Winding Creek tributary |
| Bonnells Bay, Waikiki Rd SQID | Lakelands, Ambleside Circuit SQID |
| Booragul, Booragul Wetland | Morisset, Kahibah St SQID |
| Cardiff, Winding Creek | Pelican Reserve |
| Caves Beach, Park Avenue SQID | Rathmines, Coventry St SQID |
| Charlestown, Flaggy Creek | Redhead, Awabakal Nature Reserve |
| Charlestown, Winding Creek (tributary) | Redhead, Collier St SQID |
| Cooranbong, Deaves Road SQID | Redhead, Geraldton Drive SQID |
| Cooranbong, Dora Creek | Swansea, Kiunuri Creek |
| Croudace Bay, Croudace Bay Wetlands | Toronto, Puntei Creek |
| Dudley, Little Swamp (Awabakal Nature Reserve) | Toronto West, Awaba Road SQID |
| Dudley, Redhead Lagoon | Toronto West, Stony Creek tributary |
| Edgeworth, Young Wallsend Creek | Wangi Wangi, Wangi Wangi Creek |
| Eleebana, South Creek | Warners Bay, South Creek, Johnathon Street SQID |
| Eleebana, Stobbart Creek | Whitebridge, Flaggy Creek |
| Eraring, Whiteheads Lagoon | Whitebridge, Glenrock Lagoon |
| Fassifern, LT Creek | Windermere Park, Chifley Road SQID |
| Fassifern, Macquarie Road SQID |
Findings of the project to date have revealed its success in raising community awareness and achieving more responsible behaviour in relation to stormwater pollution. The project is playing a key role in shifting the focus of stormwater management to pollution prevention. A long-term outcome of this will be less reliance on SQIDs to clean stormwater. This project therefore has the capacity to contribute significantly to the sustainable management of stormwater.
Get Involved
For more information about the Adopt-a-SQID program or to become involved, contact Sustainability Project Coordinator Aquatic Monitoring Project on 4921 0702 or masmith@lakemac.nsw.gov.au