General

Physico-chemical parameters have been used widely mainly in response to the monitoring of drinking water. Monitoring of Physico-chemical parameters is important particularly as an adjunct to biological indicators as they aid the interpretation of results and provide a direct instream measurement of disturbance.

Protocols

Setting water quality targets
http://www.deh.gov.au/water/quality/targets/handbook/pubs/handbook.pdf

Monitoring toolbox
http://www.deh.gov.au/water/rivers/nrhp/monitoring.html

Indicators
http://www.deh.gov.au/nrm/monitoring/indicators/river/index.html
http://www.deh.gov.au/water/quality/nwqms/pubs/volume2-8-2.pdf

National Water Quality Strategy (monitoring and reporting protocols)
http://www.deh.gov.au/water/quality/nwqms/

Costs

Physical and chemical monitoring

Water quality multiprobe

• Purchase- $5-8,000
• Calibration- $100 per month
• Maintenance- $50 per month

Laboratory analysis

• Nutrients-$15-20 per analyte eg TP, TN, NOX, NH4
• Biological- $15-25 per analyte eg Faecal coliforms, E.Coli
• Quality Assurrance and Control- $50 every 4 months

Case Studies

Hornsby Shire Council
http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/environment/index.cfm?NavigationID=1040

Morton Bay Waterways and Catchment Partnership (South East Queensland)
http://www.healthywaterways.org/filelibrary/FILE20039293127.pdf

People contacts

http://www.asl.org.au/asl_volunteers.htm

Organisation contacts

Department of the Environment and Heritage
John Gorton Building
King Edward Terrace
Parkes ACT 2600
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6274 1111
Fax: +61 2 6274 1666
Email: Comments, Queries and Suggestions
URL: http://www.deh.gov.au

NSW Department of Environment and Conservation
59-61 Goulburn Street, Sydney
PO Box A290, Sydney South 1232
Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switch)
Fax: (02) 9995 5999