Inland Waters
Page 149
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High levels of total nitrogen can result from fertilisers, animal wastes,
organic material including leaf litter, or detergents being washed into urban
stormwater drains.
Condition indicator:
ANZECC water standards of Port Adelaide Enfield
catchments and wetlands
ANZECC 2000 Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine
Waters is the method by which the EPA, NRM Boards, SA Water, and DWLBC
derive continuous pollutant loads. It is currently the most accurate and cost
effective method to measure total loads, however it does not provide maximum
or minimum concentrations but rather ‘mean’ concentrations. The sampling
methodology is undertaken under a framework of quality assurance (WDS are
NCS Accredited in 9001:2008) and the samples are analysed by a NATA
certified laboratory. The samples are analysed to meet the Guideline
specifications (Water Data Services, 2010).
The Graphs of Concentration shown on the Adelaide & Mt. Lofty NRM Board
water data web page show the threshold values – which are derived from the
“ANZECC 2000 Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine
Waters”
The current ANZECC 2000 guidelines are under review as it is considered that
the Guidelines were too broad and did not take into account local catchment
characteristics (e.g. some catchments have naturally high iron content). The SA
EPA is reviewing the Water Quality Monitoring guidelines for water bodies.
The EPA is currently proposing to adapt and change the ANZECC Water
Quality Monitoring Guidelines to better reflect local conditions. Proposed rating
indicators for Oxidised Nitrogen, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Heavy
Metals and Salinity will be recorded as high, low or medium and ratings will be
based on expected water quality conditions identified in a control plot.
The most useful indicator of stormwater quality is from the data collected in
Barker Inlet, Ranger Wetlands and Magazine Wetlands by the Adelaide &
Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Management Board. The NRM Board has
developed a comprehensive database mapping system that provides
information on water flows, water quality, graphs and photo points of the water
body. This site is located at:
The Adelaide Mt. Lofty Rangers Natural Resource Management Board's water
monitoring network was developed in 2009 to assist Councils and the Board to
monitor 'real time' stormwater runoff, and to determine where new stormwater
harvesting projects would be best developed. It measures water quality and
quantity, to provide a comprehensive picture of stormwater across the region.
The network comprises thirty sites across the Adelaide region, which record
water volume and flow rates, and monitor salinity, turbidity and suspended
solids and nutrients.
