Water Quality

Some impacts on water quality such as climate and catchment geology, are naturally occurring. However, human activities and their consequences have a marked influence on water quality in many parts of the State.

Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) are a common seasonal occurrence in Victoria and a natural component of most aquatic systems, including streams, lakes, estuaries and the sea. DSEs Our Water Our Future website provides monthly updates on significant blue-green algae blooms in Victoria.

The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment produced a Blue Green Algae Guide that can be downloaded from their website. To view the information PDF requires the use of a PDF reader. This can be installed for free from the Adobe website (external link).

These impacts fall into three categories:

Diffuse sources of pollution
Extensive land uses cause widespread disturbances of natural catchments. For example, in streams flowing through agricultural areas, water may be contaminated by soil, fertiliser and pesticide residues. In streams flowing past urban communities, runoff may bring increased turbidity and a wide range of chemical pollutants.

Point sources of pollution
Intensive activities, such as industries and sewage treatment plants, discharge waste at a specific point.

Reducing natural streamflows
Diverting water out of a stream for irrigation, urban and industrial uses, reduces the dilution capability of the stream, intensifying the impacts of pollutants.

Source: Water Victoria: a Resource Handbook, Dept. Water Resources, 1989
Photo: Dense reed growth
Dense reed growth, Crawford River,
Glenelg Basin, 1989
Photo: State of the Streams Survey, DWR, 1990

Developing Catchment Nutrient Management Plans is an important part of the Victorian Nutrient Management Strategy, Goulburn Broken catchment,
Photo: Bruce Rhodes

Related Links

What is Water Pollution? (external link)
This EPA publication outlines some of the major pollutants of waterways and their effects.

State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) (external link)
This policy and associated regional schedules state the water quality standards we, as a community, wish to maintain or achieve. They can be regarded as a stated commitment by government of the water quality standards we are striving to achieve.

Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse (external link)
This site provides monitoring data on water quality, stream flow, river health and water quality trends.

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