Salinity is the build-up of salt in the upper layer of soil that had been brought to the surface by a rising groundwater. Causes of rising ground water includes:
- Removal of natural vegetation
- Overwatering gardens and lawns
- Leaking underground water pipes
- Change in land use
What damage can urban salinity cause?
Salt can cause costly damage to both public and private property. Salinity may cause:
- The life span of infrastructure such as roads and footpaths to be reduced, meaning more frequent repairs or replacement
- Reduced water quality in creeks and rivers
- Damage to houses and housing foundations
- Loss of vegetation where the soils are too salty for plants to grow
What is Council doing to manage urban salinity?
- Monitoring more than 200 bores within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area to measure ground water height and test salt levels
- Educating the community on urban salinity
- Using planning guidelines to help lower urban salinity risk
- Implementing the Lloyd Urban Release which ensures 80% of the suburb’s surface area will not allow water to soak into the ground
- Replanting vegetation in key locations through National Tree Day events
- Managing a network of de-watering bores in the Calvary area to lower groundwater levels
What can you do?
- Be aware of urban salinity and its importance in Wagga Wagga
- Plant species in your garden that do not need a lot of water
- Do not over water your gardens
- Join a Landcare group
- Learn moreby viewing current and past Urban Salinity reports.
