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Archived water quality assessments

Water quality at West Beach is assessed as being in good, moderate or poor condition by interpreting water chemistry and algal data. >> More

Water quality classification for October 2005 to March 2006

Indicator	Ecosystem	Recreation	Aquaculture
Ammonia	Good	NA	Good
Oxidised Nitrogen	Moderate	NA	NA
Total Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Soluble Phosphorus	NA	NA	NA
Total Phosphorus	Good	NA	NA
Turbidity	Moderate	Moderate	NA
Chlorophyll (a)	Poor	NA	NA
Heavy Metals	Good	NA	Good
Bacteria	NA	Good	NA

NA = not applicable

The poor classification for chlorophyll (a) (an indicator of algae) is consistent with previous results. High chlorophyll (a) concentrations are most likely due to effluent from the Glenelg WWTP, urban stormwater and the Torrens River promoting algal growth.

Oxidised nitrogen is usually classified as good. The moderate rating is due to one very high concentration recorded in March. All other classifications for this sampling period are consistent with previous results.

Water quality classification for April to September 2005

Indicator	Ecosystem	Recreation	Aquaculture
Ammonia	Good	NA	Good
Oxidised Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Total Nitrogen	Good	NA	NA
Soluble Phosphorus	No data	NA	NA
Total Phosphorus	Good	NA	NA
Turbidity	Good	Good	NA
Chlorophyll (a)	Poor	NA	NA
Heavy Metals	Poor	NA	Poor
Bacteria	NA	Good	NA

NA = not applicable

Chlorophyll (a) (an indicator of algae) was classified as poor at West Beach. This is most likely due effluent from the Glenelg WWTP, urban stormwater and the Torrens River promoting algal growth.

Heavy metals were classified as poor, which is most likely due to urban runoff containing heavy metals washed off roads and galvanised iron roofs.

This page was last modified 31-07-2007