Indicator: Groundwater quality| Indicator description | Complete list of Indicators | What the results tell us for TumutSee also: | Soil Salinity | For a map of groundwater quality, Contact us for details of the full report for the Australian Capital Region (available only on CD-ROM). No data were available on the extent and quality of pollution plumes within Tumut Shire. Most of the groundwater within the Shire is considered to have 'some salt', with estimated salt concentrations of between 1000–3000 milligrams per litre. This implies that much land in the Shire would be suitable for all livestock, some domestic and industrial uses but limited irrigation (Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Committee (MCMC), 1998). A band of land in the mid centre to the north, of the Shire has also been identified, in terms of salt levels, as having good quality, high yield, low salt groundwater, with estimated salt concentrations of between 0-1000 milligrams per litre. This land is considered suitable for most uses, including potable water and irrigation (MCMC, 1998). It is also known that most of groundwater within the Shire has low to moderate vulnerability, or susceptibility to pollution (Table 1). Groundwater vulnerability measures the level to which groundwater is susceptible to contamination and pollution. High vulnerability indicates high susceptibility.
About the dataInformation on groundwater quality was sourced from the Murrumbidgee Action Plan 1998, prepared and published by the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Committee, Wagga Wagga, NSW. Data were derived from textual information as well as from two of the maps presented within the report, these being: Map 19 (pg. 257): 'Groundwater Quality in the Upper Murrumbidgee'. Produced by the Land Information Centre as part of the "NSW Atlas", 1995. Groundwater quality in this map refers to dissolved salts. It should be noted that this is not the only factor affecting groundwater quality. Map 20 (pg. 258). 'Groundwater Vulnerability to Surface Pollution in the Upper Murrumbidgee'. This map was sourced from the Australian Geological Survey Organisation and Department of Land and Water Conservation 1997. It is based on minimum depth to watertable, combined with other external factors including water quality, geology and estimated soil permeability. Mapping was based on a trial technique. Actual figures of groundwater vulnerability were derived by intersecting the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map layer of 'Groundwater Vulnerability to Surface Pollution in the Upper Murrumbidgee' with the GIS layer of Local Government boundaries. Description: What does 'groundwater quantity' measure?Which data are collected?
Why do we report this indicator?The quality of groundwater depends largely on the geology. However, the presence of contaminated sites or other sources of pollution can adversely impact groundwater quality if contaminants are allowed to leak into the groundwater system. This in turn can affect the quality of the groundwater resource for purposes of human or livestock consumption. It can also impact on stream water quality and hence aquatic biota if the contaminated groundwaters discharge into streams. It is also useful to know the background groundwater quality, because this can have relevance to other issues such as dryland salinity and water resource use issues. Potential sources of contamination to groundwaters include leakage from septic systems and from any facility storing hazardous waste, such as fuel storage tanks associated with service stations, past landfills and mine tailings. Groundwater quality is generally measured on the basis of need, with sites likely to be or which have been contaminated (such as landfill sites) receiving a higher priority for monitoring. Groundwaters used for water supplies are also monitored to ensure continued suitability for the purpose. |