2016-02-02 P&O Committee - Item 3 - Attachment 3 - Noosa River Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives

Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives



    Environmental Value (EV)                                                   Potentially applicable to:
                                                                               Tidal waters    Fresh (non-tidal)
                                                                                               waters
    Protection of cultural and spiritual values, including Traditional Owner         
                  

    values of water

    Suitability for industrial use (including manufacturing plants, power            
                  

    generation)

    Suitability for aquaculture (eg red claw, barramundi)                            
                  


    Suitability for drinking water supplies                                                             


    Suitability for crop irrigation                                                                     


    Suitability for stock watering                                                                      


    Suitability for farm supply/use                                                                     


Level of protection for a water (aquatic ecosystem EV): means the level of aquatic ecosystem condition
specified in Table 2 of this document that the corresponding water quality objectives for that water are
intended to achieve (refer to management intent definition below for further information).

Management goal: means the goals (if any) stated in section 2 of this document to support the EVs for
waters identified in Table 1.

Management intent (level of protection) for a water ( aquatic ecosystem EV): means the level of aquatic
ecosystem condition specified in Table 2 of this document that the corresponding water quality objectives for
that water are intended to achieve. For example, the intent for high ecological value waters is that their
effectively unmodified condition is maintained.

QWQG: means the Queensland water quality guidelines, prepared by the Department of Environment and
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Resource Management (2009) .

Water quality guidelines (defined in the EPP [Water]): are numerical concentration levels or statements for
indicators that protect a stated environmental value. Under the EVs setting process contained in the EPP
(Water), water quality guidelines are used as an input to the development of water quality objectives.

Water quality indicator (for an EV): a property that is able to be measured or decided in a quantitative way.
Examples of water quality indicators include physical indicators (e.g. temperature), chemical indicators (e.g.
nitrogen, phosphorus, metals), and biological indicators (e.g. macroinvertebrates, seagrass, fish).

Water quality objectives (WQOs): means the WQOs specified in Tables 2–13 of this document to support
the EVs for waters identified in Table 1.

WQOs are long term goals for water quality management. They are numerical concentration levels or
narrative statements of indicators established for receiving waters to support and protect the designated EVs
for those waters. They are based on scientific criteria or water quality guidelines but may be modified by
other (eg social, cultural, economic) inputs.

Examples of WQOs include:
• total phosphorus concentration <20 micrograms per litre (µg/L);
• chlorophyll a concentration <1 µg/L;
• dissolved oxygen between 95% and 105% saturation;
• family richness of macroinvertebrate > 12 families; and
• exotic individuals of fish < 5%.


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   The Queensland water quality guidelines can be downloaded from the DERM website at:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/water/queensland_water_quality_guidelines/


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