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In 1992, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments introduced the National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) to achieve sustainable use of the nation's water resources. The Water Quality Policy brings South Australia in line with the NWQMS.
The main objective of the Water Quality Policy is to:
"…achieve the sustainable management of waters, by protecting or enhancing water quality while allowing economic and social development"
The policy aims to achieve this objective by:
- setting environmental values and water quality objectives for streams, rivers, oceans and groundwater
- establishing obligations for industry and the community to manage and control different forms of pollution
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encouraging better use of wastewater by
- avoiding its production
- eliminating, or reducing it
- recycling and re-using it
- treating it to reduce potential harm to the environment
- promoting best practice environmental management
- promoting within the community environmental responsibility and involvement in environmental issues
- setting discharge limits for particular activities.
Any person, business or industry that fails to comply with the laws may receive an on-the-spot fine, an environment protection order, and/or face prosecution in court.
Polluting activities which are banned under the policy include washing a vehicle on the street, washing animal faeces into a stormwater drain, and allowing dirt from a building site to enter the stormwater system.
Water Protection Areas
The Environment Protection Act 1993 and the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy refer to Water Protection Areas in South Australia, which are defined for the purpose of providing special environmental protection.
Analytical methods approved for measuring water quality
Clause 13 of the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy requires that water quality measurements must be by methods approved by the Authority.
For further information about the Water Quality Policy see:
- Explanatory report
- Fact sheets (these include several for specific industries)
- What can you do to help the water environment?
Authorities that may enforce the Water Quality Policy include the Environment Protection Authority, local councils and other government authorities.
Last modified: 08/05/2012 09:57 am
