The EPA collects water samples from nearly 100 water bodies,
monthly, seasonally or annually, depending on the nature of the
water resource and the characteristic being monitored. These samples
are measured for indications of their ecological health and water
chemistry to provide an overall assessment of their water quality.
 Ecological
health
We assess the ecological health of freshwater streams by looking
at their macroinvertebrate
community structure. Macroinvertebrate samples are collected twice
a year (autumn and spring) from many of the state's streams.
It is difficult to use macroinvertebrates in estuaries and marine
environments, so in these areas, we assess the extent of seagrass
coverage and monitor reef
health to evaluate ecosystem health.
 Water
chemistry
We regularly collect water samples (usually monthly) from a number
of the state's waterways and watercourses and have these samples
analysed at a laboratory for several water
quality indicators.
The results of the analyses are compared with the National
Water Quality Guidelines or with the Australian
Drinking Water Guidelines. We consider these guideline values
to be the upper acceptable limit for each indicator. They allow
us to classify the water as good, moderate or poor quality.
Data organisation and interpretation are according to the type
of water:
>>
Surface waters: marine waters, estuaries, rivers and streams
>>
Groundwater
This page was last modified 24-07-2007
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