Groundwater quality at Keith

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Archived water quality assessments

Water quality is assessed as being in good, moderate or poor condition by interpreting water chemistry data in the context of protecting environmental values. >> More

Groundwater samples are collected annually from seven bores in the Keith area. The indicators that are measured are nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), heavy metals, arsenic and salinity. The environmental values that need to be protected are freshwater ecosystems, irrigation use and livestock use.

Water quality classification for 2005

Indicator	Ecosystem	Drinking Water	Irrigation	Livestock
Nitrate	NA	Good	NA	NA
Nitrite	NA	Good	NA	NA
Oxidised Nitrogen	Poor	NA	NA	NA
Total Nitrogen	Poor	NA	Good	NA
Total Phosphorus	Good	NA	Good	NA
Metals	Good	Moderate	Good	Good
Salinity	NA	Poor	NA	Poor

Notes NA = not applicable

Overall, the groundwater quality in the Keith area is considered poor for irrigation and livestock water due to its high salinity, which is largely due to excess irrigation water leaching salts through the soil. For freshwater ecosystems, the groundwater is poor because of its high nitrogen concentration, which is most likely to be due to inappropriate agricultural practices. Total nitrogen is considered moderate for irrigation because it may lead to clogging irrigation pipes.

Pesticides in groundwater

Groundwater samples are collected annually and analysed for a variety of pesticides that may leach into the unconfined aquifer as a result of past or present agricultural practices. Pesticides analysed in groundwater samples include several herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. >> More

If pesticides are detected in an aquifer, the environmental values of the aquifer are compromised. Therefore, the detection of any pesticides in groundwater is considered significant and warrants further assessment and or management response.

The results of groundwater pesticide monitoring in the Keith area

Year	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Have pesticides been detected?	No	No	No	No	No	NS	NS	No

Notes NS = not sampled

This page was last modified 15-08-2006