Local Government carries out water quality monitoring for a variety of reasons. In some cases councils may be obliged to do so by legislation. In many other cases councils do so to provide an understanding of the condition and trends in the condition of the waterways or to answer specific questions relating to water quality management and the effectiveness of management practices. In essence, WQM is a decision making tool for local government.

Environmental and public health responsibilities of councils

Councils have a key role in managing natural resources in NSW. They are responsible for the environmental management of large areas of land and water. Under the Local Government Act 1993, councils are required to:

“properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment of an area for which it is responsible, in a manner that is consistent with and promotes the principles of sustainable development”.

Councils also have responsibilities in regard to safeguarding public health. These responsibilities are greater for councils who operate their own water and wastewater supplies.

Water quality management is an important aspect of local government’s commitment to sustainable development as well as its responsibilities for public health.

WQM programs undertaken by councils

As a result of the responsibilities outlined above, councils undertake WQM for a range of purposes related to human health and environmental health within their local government area (LGA). In general terms, these purposes include:

• State of the Environment reporting
• Stormwater Management Plans
• Ecosystem health
• Industry
• Development applications
• Environmental protection licences
• Recreational use
• Sewer discharges
• Drinking water
• Soil
• Auditing
• Ad hoc monitoring in response to pollution incidents, disease outbreaks.