Water testing project protects the future of Rippon Lea Estate lake
Elsternwick’s national heritage-listed Rippon Lea Estate is enhancing the health and biodiversity of its iconic ornamental lake to ensure visitors and the community can enjoy it for generations.
Rippon Lea Estate received a 2024 South East Water Community Grant for a water testing project to improve the 150-year-old filtration system of its garden lake.
Owned by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Rippon Lea Estate has a unique integrated water management system for its lake and water storage reservoir. The system incorporates some stormwater run-off which flows into the reservoir via an underground irrigation system - preventing it from running into Port Phillip Bay.
Maintaining the picturesque gardens and lake is essential to attract visitors, but the current system experiences frequent outbreaks of aquatic weeds, reduced water quality and fauna and flora being negatively impacted.
The new water testing project involves using a professional water testing instrument for data collection, allowing the team to build a history of data fluctuations that can better anticipate and manage problematic water quality.
National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Executive Manager – Gardens and Landscapes, Justin Buckley said the lake at Rippon Lea is absolutely fundamental to the property and the garden and the project would futureproof the significant greenspace.
Alongside testing, new irrigation hardware and fittings will enable increased water flow and aeration, reducing excess phosphorous in the lake and discouraging weed and algal outbreaks.
“The reason Rippon Lea Estate gardens is recognised as a ‘top 5 biodiversity hotspot’ within the City of Glen Eira – and a real city oasis – is due to Rippon Lea's lake and unique water management system.
“Without the lake, we wouldn't have the beautiful 14 acres of internationally significant heritage garden.
“The project will enable monitoring and analysis of water quality fluctuations to better manage weed outbreaks and showcase improved water and environmental management to the community.
“The project is enabling better water management, to enhance the values of the site and educate visitors.”
South East Water General Manager Strategy and Stakeholder, Karen Lau said the Rippon Lea Estate project demonstrated important investment in water security.
“Rippon Lea Estate’s lake was already an impressive example of planning for water security and sustainability.
“Not only will the lake’s water quality benefit, but also the flora and fauna, and in turn, the visitors to Rippon Lea, demonstrating the impact of helping people learn about water and use it in the best way possible,” said Ms Lau.