The EPA investigates two separate fish kills

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is investigating two separate fish kill events in the Parramatta River.

A fish kill was reported at Haslams Creek, which flows into Homebush Bay, on Thursday 3 February and on Sunday 6 February the EPA received reports of a fish kill on the Parramatta River at Rydalmere. We received reports of dead fish washing up along riverbanks including at Homebush Bay, Wentworth Point, Rydalmere and Ermington.

Parramatta River at Rydalmere

• The EPA’s investigation to date indicates low dissolved oxygen at Rydalmere caused fish kills in the area on Sunday 6 February.
• The EPA is continuing to do water quality monitoring at Rydalmere. The latest water samples are currently being tested at a laboratory.
• Preliminary investigations indicate the low oxygen levels were most likely due to natural causes from recent heavy rain.
• It is difficult to provide exact numbers but EPA officers estimate a few thousand fish have died, potentially up to 4000, in the Parramatta River at Rydalmere.
• The EPA is working with Parramatta Council and Sydney Olympic Park Authority to clean-up. Fish that are easy to reach without trampling the sensitive mangroves will be removed.

Haslams Creek

• The EPA’s water quality analysis on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 February identified low dissolved oxygen at Haslams Creek led to the fish kills.
• Preliminary investigations indicate low oxygen levels were not caused by chemical pollution and were more likely due to natural causes.
• The Sydney Olympic Park Authority has cleaned up the fish at Haslams Creek and continue to work with the EPA.
• It is difficult to provide exact numbers but EPA officers estimate a few thousand fish and prawns have died in Haslams Creek where it joins Homebush Bay.
• The most recent water quality monitoring at Haslams Creek shows that oxygen levels have returned to normal.  

It is distressing to see a significant number of fish killed and a variety of species impacted. To report pollution incidents contact the Environment Line 131 555.