13. Existing DMP (2006)

6.0 Water

6.1 Environmental values
The Lower Noosa River has several identified Environmental Values (EVs) under the
EPA s Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997. These are aquatic ecosystems,
human consumption value, primary and secondary recreation, visual recreation
cultural and spiritual values and seagrass meadows.

6.2 Water quality objectives
EPA in its Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997 defines Water Quality
Objectives (WQO) to 20th, 50th and 80th percentiles for the Noosa River and these are
listed below:
       Turbidity: 1-2-4 NTU
       Suspended solids: 15-15-15 mg/L
       Chlorophyll a: 0.8-1.2-1.8 g/L
       Total Nitrogen: 150-180-240 /L
       Oxidised N: 2-3-6 /L
       Ammonium N: 4-8-15 g/L
       Organic N: 140-160-220 g/L
       Total phosphorus: 9-12-15 /L
       Filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): 2-2-2 /L
       Dissolved oxygen: 90-95-105% saturation
       PH: 8.0-8.2-8.4
       Secchi depth: 1.8-2.2-2.8
Specific water quality objectives as related to dredging are in table 5 below:
Quality Characteristics                      Limit
Suspended solids                             Not more than 10 mg/L, or 10 percent
                                             above background, whichever is the
                                             greater.
Turbidity (NTU)                              Not more than 2 NTU, or 10 % above
                                             background, whichever is the greater.
pH                                           Within the range of 7.0 to 8.5 pH units




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