TAMWORTH and Gunnedah were identified among 40 towns in the Murray-Darling Basin with urban salinity problems, highlighting that salinity issues were not restricted to farmers and could occur anywhere.
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Tamworth-based NSW Agriculture salinity advisory officer Tarnya Christian said there were signs of salinity west of the Peel River at Tamworth, at Carinya Christian School, Calala and in the Longyard area.
She said there was also urban salinity in south-west Gunnedah, including Gunnedah High School.
Both schools are working towards analysing and controlling their salinity problems.
She said signs of salinity in the north-west were more subtle than in southern parts of the State, but were no less serious.
If salt came to the surface it could well be the end of the garden or lawn and the start of a building problem.
"Home gardeners may quite innocently be contributing to what is generally regarded as a farmers' problem by over watering lawns and gardens," Ms Christian said.
"This causes the water table to rise and as it comes to the soil surface it brings with it salts normally trapped in the rocks and soil deep below.
"Once salinity occurs, it can be very costly to stop."
A 1998 study of urban salinity in Wagga Wagga found that in the absence of any preventative measures, the cost of urban salinity over the next 30 years would have a present value of $183 million.
Usually the water table is many metres below the surface, but with the removal of perennial plants from the landscape the water table rises and continues to rise with excess water draining into the water table.
Salinity can first appear as bare patches in the lawn, unhealthy or dead plants, or as waterlogged areas in the local park.
It may also be occurring if once healthy trees suddenly die in reserves.
Other symptoms are salt crusts on the soil surface or brickwork, crumbling bricks and mortar, corroded underground pipes, cracked or collapsed pavements or roads, changes in grass types or difficulty in getting plants established in certain areas.
Apart from buildings, salinity has a major effect on other important infrastructure such as roads and highways.
In the south west of NSW salinity is estimated to cause $9 million of damage annually to roads and highways.
Ms Christian said residents could help by limiting the amount of water reaching the water table.
"This can be achieved by minimising lawn areas, planting deep rooted plants and using mulch on garden beds to limit water use," she said.
"Gardens and lawns should only be watered when necessary using timers on taps to both reduce water runoff and save on water bills.
"It is also advisable to check on whether house gutters are correctly connected to storm water drains."
