The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has launched a website setting out guidelines and a strategy for improving water quality in Australian waterways.
The website is a joint initiative with New Zealand and the Australian States and Territories.
Head of Water at DAWR, Paul Morris said the website would provide water managers with the tools and advice they needed to assess, manage and monitor water quality at a local level.
“Australians understand the critical importance of water to everything we do and enjoy,” Mr Morris said.
“The current drought conditions in many parts of Australia serve to highlight this.
“Protecting water quality is integral to securing the health of our aquatic ecosystems, meeting the needs of people, agriculture and industry, and protecting the cultural, spiritual and natural values that we hold dear.”
He said the website would support State and Territory Governments to apply the Australian and New Zealand guidelines according to local regulations and conditions.
“The website contains the National Water Quality Management Strategy and the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality,” Mr Morris said.
He said the guidelines had been updated over several years using the best available science and new techniques to make them more relevant and current.
“They have been used by all Australian and New Zealand Governments since 1992,” he said.
The new website can be accessed at this PS News link.
