Drain L

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Archived water quality assessments

Ecological health

We collect two samples of macroinvertebrates, one from riffle (or flowing water) habitat and one from edge (still water) habitat. The diversity of the macroinvertebrate community is used to describe ecological health as being in good, moderate or poor condition.

Ecological health assessment for November 2005

Habitat	Ecological health
Edge	Good
Riffle	Moderate

These classifications are consistent with previous results.

Ecological health assessment for May 2005

Habitat	Ecological health
Edge	Good
Riffle	Moderate

Water chemistry

The indicators that are measured in Drain L are nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), turbidity and salinity. The concentrations of these indicators are used to classify the water chemistry as being in good, moderate or poor condition, according to the needs of aquatic ecosystem protection.

Water chemistry classification for October 2005 to March 2006

Indicator	Classification
Oxidised Nitrogen	Good
Total Nitrogen	Poor
Soluble Phosphorus	Good
Total Phosphorus	Moderate
Turbidity	Good

This site is a recent addition to the monitoring program and has been monitored since March 2005. Drain L is generally fed by groundwater flows that often have elevated nitrogen concentrations. The oxidised nitrogen levels have improved recently although the classifications for total nitrogen, soluble phosphorus and turbidity are consistent with previous results. Total phosphorus is usually good but on this occasion was classified as moderate. The amount of nitrogen and phosphorus can be increased by fertilisers or animal wastes being washed off farms during storms. The EPA Mt Gambier Office collaborates with the South East NRM Board, Primary Industries SA and The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation on a project to enhance our understanding of the relationship between land use and nutrient transport.

Water chemistry classification for April to September 2005

Indicator	Classification
Oxidised Nitrogen	Poor
Total Nitrogen	Poor
Soluble Phosphorus	Good
Total Phosphorus	Good
Turbidity	Good

The amount of nitrogen can be increased by fertilisers or animal wastes being washed off farms during storms or due to effluent outfalls.

This page was last modified 13-09-2007