1. Australia-China Environment Development Partnership
River Health and Environmental Flows:
National Water Quality Management Strategy
Presentation by Bruce Gray
Water Quality Section

2. to achieve
sustainable use of the nation’s water resources by
protecting and enhancing their quality while maintaining
economic and social development
www.environment.gov.au

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 River Murray, Barmah, Vic on 08 Apr 09 © NSW DWE
www.environment.gov.au

4. Outline of the Policies Policies and
Principles
Implementation Guidelines 1998
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and
Marine Water Quality 2000
Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004
Australian Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring
and Reporting 2000
www.environment.gov.au

5. Guidelines for Groundwater Protection in
Australia 1995
Managing Health and Environmental Risks
2006
Augmentation of Drinking Water Supply 2008
 Managed Aquifer Recharge 2009
Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse 2009
www.environment.gov.au

6. Define  Identify the environmental values that are to be
PRIMARY MANAGEMENT AIMS
(including environmental values, management goals protected in a particular water body and the
and level of protection) spatial designation of the environmental values
(i.e. decide what values will apply where).
Determine appropriate  Identify management goals and then select the
WATER QUALITY GUIDELINES
(tailored to local environmental conditions)
relevant water quality guidelines for measuring
performance. Based on these guidelines, set
water quality objectives that must be met to
Define
WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES maintain the environmental values.
(specific water quality to be achieved)
 Develop statistical performance criteria to
• taking account of social, cultural, political and economic concerns where
necessary evaluate the results of the monitoring programs
(e.g. statistical decision criteria for determining
Establish whether the water quality objectives have been
MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM exceeded or not).
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(focused on water quality objectives)
• after defining acceptable performance or decision criteria
Develop tactical monitoring programs focusing on
the water quality objectives.
Initiate appropriate
 Initiate appropriate management responses to
MANAGEMENT RESPONSE attain (or maintain if already achieved) the water
(based on attaining or maintaining water quality objectives)
quality objectives.
www.environment.gov.au

7. Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, ACT on 06 May 09 © Bruce Gray
www.environment.gov.au

8. www.environment.gov.au

9. www.environment.gov.au

10. environmental values
water quality objectives
environmental flow objectives
catchment based management
actions
predictive models ambient
monitoring
www.environment.gov.au

11. www.environment.gov.au