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Water quality standards in the ACT
Water quality standards for various water uses in the ACT are identified in
Schedule 4 of the Environment Protection Regulations 1997
(http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/sl/2005-38/current/pdf/2005-38.pdf). These
regulations contain tables that list the necessary water quality to support
each of the water uses referred to in the territory plan. Table 1 provides
examples of some of the water quality standards for certain water uses.
Table 1: Excerpt of Water Quality Standards (Ref: Environment Protection
Regulations 1997)
| |
Water Use |
| Indicator |
Water based recreation - swimmming (REC/1) |
Water based recreation - boating (REC/2) |
Water supply - stock (STOCK) |
Water supply - irrigation (IRRIG) |
Aquatic habitat - wetland (AQUA/1 to AQUA/6) |
| Total Phosphorus (mg/L) |
<0.1 |
<0.1 |
|
|
<0.1 |
| Turbidity (NTU) |
Not objectionable |
Not objectionable |
|
|
<10 - <30 |
| Suspended Solids (mg/L) |
|
|
|
|
<12.5 - <25 |
| Chlorophyll 'a' (g/L) |
<10 |
<10 |
<10 |
|
<2 - <10 |
| Faecal Coliforms (cfu/100ml) |
<=150 |
<=1000 |
<=1000 |
<=1000 |
|
| Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) |
|
|
|
|
>4 |
| Acidity(pH) |
6.5-8.5 |
6.5-8.5 |
6.5-9.2 |
4.5-9.0 |
6-9 |
| Total Dissolved Solids(mg/L) |
|
|
<3000 |
<500 |
|
For the full list of Water Quality standards click here -
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/sl/2005-38/pdf/2005-38.pdf
The Territory Plan Environmental and Use Values
Section C of the Territory Plan in 'Water Use and Catchment Policies', sets the
permitted uses and protected environmental values for the waterways in the ACT.
The plan identifies three types of catchments: drainage and open space; water
supply; and conservation. Uses such as maintenance of ecosystems, recreation
and water supply are designated for streams, lakes and rivers within each of
these types of catchments. Within each catchment type there will be designated
primary value, and a range of other uses are permitted which are generally
compatible with, but secondary to, the primary value. These uses establish what
water quality standards will apply to a particular waterbody.
Section C of the Territory Plan
http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/plan/index.htm
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