National Water Quality Management Research Articles

Quantyfing the impact of the water security index on socio-economic development in EU27

The issue of environmental security in the context of sustainable development is a highly topical one, being intensively studied by specialists both in terms of its impact on biodiversity and on the protection of non-renewable resources, and in terms of its economic and social impact. The authors aim to quantify the impact of water security on economic and social development based on a new structural equation model and identify changes in the latent variable Water Security Index. (WSI), economic development (ED) and social development (SD) dynamics over the period 2000–2022 for the 27 EU Member States. The methodology is based on the use of structural equation systems and the use of the Independent-Samples Kruskal-Wallis Test to identify the influences of water security measures on economic and social indicators and to assess regional disparities of environmental policy development in relation to economic and social development. The research results will highlight the level of homogeneity of regional water security clusters in Europe and the influence of this approach on economic and social disparities. The results of the study highlight the significant correlation between population density, pollution levels and the costs associated with maintaining water quality. The study shows that high population density and high pollution levels disproportionately increase the financial burden of water quality management. In addition, the analysis highlights the social ramifications of neglecting the sustainability of water sources, particularly in regions experiencing low economic growth. In such scenarios, the negative social impact intensifies, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices. The results allow the formulation of the following public policies: Standardization of the national water quality management framework in line with the European framework; Establishment of organizations to monitor the safety of water sources and the health of the local population; Continuation of innovations in the field of water environment protection; Promotion of social responsibility towards the aquatic environment; Continuation of the process of improving water management governance. The results are useful for economic, environmental and social policy makers to optimise European sustainable development strategies.

Heavy metal pollution in selected upland tributaries of Sri Lanka: comprehension towards the localization of sources of pollution.

This study aimed to assess the heavy metal (HM) profile of the main upland tributaries of three major rivers, the Mahaweli, the Deduru and the Gin Rivers, which are commonly used for urban water supply in Sri Lanka. The HM profiles of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were investigated by ICP-MS. Land-use classification was performed to locate the main sources of pollution. Mean pH, TDS and conductivity showed significant inter-site mean differences (p < 0.001). The mean contents of the HMs, considering all rivers, were observed in the order [Hg] > [As] > [Pb] > [Cd] at the sources and [As] > [Hg] > [Pb] > [Cd] at the river mouths. Particularly, in the Mahaweli River, the mean As content was 0.08 ± 0.05 μg·L-1 and showed an increasing trend from the source to the river mouth. In the Deduru River, the mean Hg content was 0.14 ± 0.15 μg·L-1, and of all rivers studied, the highest content of 0.50 ± 0.17 μg·L-1 was recorded. The Gin River showed significant inter-site mean differences (p < 0.05) in [Pb], [As] and [Hg]. In all rivers studied, [As] was significantly higher in water samples collected near agricultural lands and urban areas as compared with the other land-use/cover types, which was further proved by a significant positive correlation (coefficient = 0.479, p = 0.0325). We, therefore, emphasized that HM pollution is more likely due to anthropogenic activities in the upper catchment with less lithogenic contamination. However, national water quality management should be further strengthened and new policy enforcement is emphasized.

Analysis of the Integrated Water Resource Management in a Water Quality Management Area in the Philippines: The Case of Meycauayan-Marilao-Obando River System

This research evaluates the implementation and management of the Meycauayan-Marilao-Obando River System Water Quality Management Area (MMORS WQMA) in reference to the pillars of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) using a multi-method approach. Research participants include representatives from regional regulatory agencies and local government units of seven cities and municipalities along the river system. Aside from ecosystem, institutional and socio-political drivers, the designation of MMORS as a WQMA was influenced by the shared common interest and endorsement of local stakeholders including financial support from international agencies. Also, an enabling policy environment that reflects IWRM pillars helped in the creation of MMORS WQMA. However, disparities in WQMA Governing Board (GB)’s and the local government units’ (LGUs) level of awareness and actual level of implementation of functions are observed, hence, the need for integration. The lack of a guiding system or framework in monitoring, evaluation and information management hinders better integration among the different agencies and LGUs in the MMO WQMA GB. Also, lack of financial, human and technical resources limit performance of the GB. Improving mechanisms may include approval of the National Water Quality Management Fund; development of financial and annual plans (with short-term targets), collaboration among GB members and capacity-building.

Microbial risk assessment of drinking water to set health-based performance targets to improve water quality and treatment plant operations

Western Water (WW) provides water, recycled water and wastewater services to almost 150,000 people whilst continuously striving to improve processes to provide its customers with safe, cost effective and reliable drinking water, recycled water and treatment services. Under this framework of continuous improvement, WW has reviewed the effectiveness of its drinking water treatment systems using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) techniques described by the World Health Organization (WHO). The microbial-related water quality targets in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Paper 6 National Water Quality Management Strategy (2011) National Health and Medical Research Council, National Resource Management Ministerial Council, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra are simply ‘to ensure that drinking water is free of microorganisms that can cause disease’. Whereas, the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling adopted the WHO QMRA approach for setting health-based microbial targets to manage health risk to customers. WW has investigated adopting the AGWR methodology for drinking water risk management, and invested in the development of a convenient and practical QMRA tool for rapid assessment and reporting of the microbial safety of its drinking water systems. This action resulted in the identification of several drinking water system performance deficiencies, and recommendations for system improvements and optimization to improve health risk management to customers.

Revisions to the derivation of the Australian and New Zealand guidelines for toxicants in fresh and marine waters

The Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality are a key document in the Australian National Water Quality Management Strategy. These guidelines released in 2000 are currently being reviewed and updated. The revision is being co-ordinated by the Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, while technical matters are dealt with by a series of Working Groups. The revision will be evolutionary in nature reflecting the latest scientific developments and a range of stakeholder desires. Key changes will be: increasing the types and sources of data that can be used; working collaboratively with industry to permit the use of commercial-in-confidence data; increasing the minimum data requirements; including a measure of the uncertainty of the trigger value; improving the software used to calculate trigger values; increasing the rigour of site-specific trigger values; improving the method for assessing the reliability of the trigger values; and providing guidance of measures of toxicity and toxicological endpoints that may, in the near future, be appropriate for trigger value derivation. These changes will markedly improve the number and quality of the trigger values that can be derived and will increase end-users’ ability to understand and implement the guidelines in a scientifically rigorous manner.

The First Four Wells: Unconventional Gas in Australia

The First Four Wells: Unconventional Gas in Australia

Framework for effective community participation in water quality management in Luvuvhu Catchment of South Africa

A study has been done in Luvuvhu Catchment to develop a framework for effective community participation in water quality monitoring and management. Community participation and involvement in development has since the 1970s gathered momentum among the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) fraternity but has never gained clear status with Governments world over. In South Africa the policy and legal frameworks for community consultation, involvement and participation are clearly spelt out on paper starting with the country’s constitution. The division of the country into Water Management Areas (WMA) and the formation of Catchment Management Agencies (CMA), Water User Associations (WUAs) for example, was meant to increase participation of stakeholders including communities in the management of water resources. These efforts have not translated into effective participation by local communities in the management of water resources because there is no link between the national water quality management frameworks and community based development structures.An extensive review of development frameworks including community based structures has been undertaken. The most critical frameworks identified were the national water quality management framework (Directorate of Water Quality Monitoring and Catchment Management Agencies), community based structures and local government structures and systems (municipalities, provincial and national structures). There was no flow of information between the national water quality framework and community based development structures and therefore linkages were created between the lower tiers of the catchment management system (sub catchment fora and WUAs) to allow for information from the Directorate of Quality Monitoring to reach communities and vice versa. The lower tiers of the catchment management system should serve as specialised committees under the community development structures. The municipalities who control and fund development activities at community level should be linked to the catchment management system so that information can flow between the lower tiers of the catchment management system and communities on one hand and the municipalities on the other. The water quality monitoring information generated at community level should flow through community development structures, sub catchment fora, the Catchment Forum (where municipalities are members), the CMA and into the Directorate of Water Quality Monitoring.

Evolution of water recycling in Australian cities since 2003

The prolonged Australian drought which commenced in 2002, and the agreement between Australia's Commonwealth and States/Territories governments to progress water reform through the National Water Initiative, has resulted in many new recycling projects in Australia's capital cities. Dual reticulation systems are being advanced in new subdivision developments in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Brisbane has installed three large Advanced Water Treatment Plants that are designed to send indirect potable recycled water to the Wivenhoe Dam which is Brisbane's principal water reservoir. Numerous water recycling projects are serving industry and agriculture. Experimental managed aquifer recharge is being undertaken with wetland-treated stormwater in Adelaide and reverse osmosis treated wastewater in Perth. New National Water Quality Management Strategy recycled water guidelines have been developed for managing environmental risks, for augmentation of drinking water supplies, for managed aquifer recharge and for stormwater harvesting and reuse. Many recent investments are part-supported through Commonwealth government grants. Desalination plants are being established in Melbourne and Adelaide and a second one in Perth in addition to the newly-operational plants in Perth, South-East Queensland and Sydney. Despite there being numerous examples of unplanned indirect potable recycling, most governments remain reluctant about moving towards planned potable recycling. There is evidence of some policy bans still being maintained by governments but the National Water Commission continues to reinforce the necessity of an even-handed objective consideration of all water supply options.

Persistent organochlorine residues in estuarine and marine sediments from Ha Long Bay, Hai Phong Bay, and Ba Lat Estuary, Vietnam

To assess the organochlorine contamination in the northeast coastal environment of Vietnam, a total of 41 surface sediments were collected from Ha Long Bay, Hai Phong Bay, and Ba Lat estuary, and analyzed for their organochlorine content. Organochlorine compounds (OCs) were widely distributed in the Vietnamese coastal environment. Among the OCs measured, DDT compounds predominated with concentrations ranging from 0.31 to 274 ng g −1. The overall contamination level of DDTs in coastal sediments from northern Vietnam is comparable with those from other Asian countries. However, concentrations exceeding 100 ng g −1 are comparable with high concentrations reported from India and China, the largest DDT consumers in the world. The overall concentrations of PCBs, HCHs, and chlordanes in surface sediments were in the ranges of 0.04–18.71 ng g −1, not detected (n.d.) – 1.00 ng g −1, and n.d. – 0.75 ng g −1, respectively. Ha Long Bay and Hai Phong Bay were relatively more contaminated with DDTs and PCBs than other regions, respectively. In contrast, the distribution of HCHs was relatively homogeneous. OCs contamination in the coastal environment of Vietnam is closely related to shipping and industrial activities. The levels of DDT compounds in harbors and industrial areas exceeded their sediment quality guideline values suggested by Environment Canada [CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment), 2002. Canadian sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. In: Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Winnipeg, MB] and Australian and New Zealand [ANZECC and ARMCANZ, 2000. National water quality management strategy. Paper No. 4, Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, vol. 1, The Guidelines. Australia. Document: http://www.deh.gov.au/water/quality/nwqms/volume1.html], indicating that adverse effects may occur to marine species in that areas.

Turks and Caicos Islands 2006 coral reef assessment: Large-scale environmental and ecological interactions and their management implications

La salud de los arrecifes coralinos de las Islas Turcas y Caicos (uno de los mejores sistemas arrecifales en la región) es vital para su bienestar económico y ambiental. Los métodos tradicionales de evaluación proporcionan relativamente poca información porque cubren un área muy pequeña para caracterizar con precisión complejos sistemas arrecifales, no pueden captar integralmente pautas a gran escala y además la alta variabilidad espacial intrínseca de los arrecifes inhibe la capacidad de los datos obtenidos en pequeñas áreas para identificar cambios o causas. Las investigaciones espacialmente extensivas suministran más información, sobre áreas mayores y en menos tiempo que las intensivas, revelando gradientes a gran escala que los métodos intensivos son inherentemente incapaces de identificar y brindan un nuevo paradigma que pudiera usarse ampliamente para el manejo ambiental, con mayor efectividad económica. A principios de junio de 2006 se llevaron a cabo investigaciones extensivas, evaluándose 26 parámetros ecológicos y ambientales en 47 sitios arrecifales a lo largo de las Islas. Se puso especial énfasis en identificar las diferentes zonas de algas a lo largo de gradientes ambientales. Los datos obtenidos están siendo utilizados para desarrollar estrategias nacionales de manejo de la calidad de agua y de restauración de corales.

The accumulation of Zn, Se, Cd, and Pb and physiological condition of Anadara trapezia transplanted to a contamination gradient in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

The benthic bivalve, Anadara trapezia, was collected from a 'clean' reference site and transplanted along a suspected trace metal contamination gradient in Lake Macquarie, NSW. At monthly intervals, Zn, Se, Cd and Pb concentrations were measured in the surficial sediments and whole tissues of the cockle as well as their physiological condition (Scope for Growth). Zinc, Cd and Pb concentrations in sediments decreased together, southward, with the highest concentrations in the Cockle Bay area, suggesting that this is the main source of contamination. Zinc, Cd and Pb concentrations were near or above [ANZECC/ARMCANZ, 2000. National water quality management strategy paper 4. Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, Australian and New Zealand Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand. pp. 3.5.-1-3.5-10] sediment quality guidelines at Cockle Creek, Warners Bay and Koorooa Bay. Significant differences in trace metal concentrations could not be attributed to grain size or Fe concentration differences. Se concentrations were highest in fine grain Fe rich sediments of Whiteheads Lagoon, and likely to be associated with power generation operations. Trace metal concentrations did not vary significantly over time. Zinc, Cd and Pb concentrations in the tissues of A. trapezia followed a similar pattern to that of sediments. Zinc and Pb concentrations in cockles and sediments were highly correlated, indicating significant exposure-dose relationships. Selenium concentrations in the tissues of A. trapezia were higher after transplantation to the lake, however, Se concentrations were similar in all transplanted cockles, indicating that Se in contaminated sediments is not the major source of Se to organisms. There was a decline in the physiological condition of A. trapezia transplanted to Lake Macquarie after a 90-day-period with marked differences in clearance rates and respiration rates at some locations and absorption efficiencies at all locations. The mean Scope for Growth value at the most contaminated location, Cockle Bay, was markedly lower than at other locations. A significant Zn exposure-dose response relationship indicates that Zn bioaccumulation is occurring in response to sediment contamination. A significant Cd exposure-response relationship indicates that Cd may be influencing the health of cockles. Significant Pb exposure-dose, exposure-response and dose-response relationships indicate that Pb probably is affecting the health of cockles in Lake Macquarie. Therefore, Zn, Cd and Pb concentrations in sediments are likely to be affecting the health of cockles in Lake Macquarie.

Heavy-metal loadings related to urban contamination in the Kooloonbung Creek catchment, Port Macquarie, New South Wales

Urbanisation and industrial development lead to contamination of estuaries and streams with dispersed loadings of heavy metals and metalloids. Contributions of these elements also occur from natural sources. This study provides baseline geochemical data on the respective natural and anthropogenic inputs of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Sb, Cr, Ni, Mn and S to estuarine, fluvial and wetland sediments, and adjacent soils, in the Kooloonbung Creek catchment that drains the Port Macquarie urban area in north coastal New South Wales. There have been anthropogenic additions of Cu, Pb, Zn and As from dispersed urban sources at Port Macquarie, but they are restricted to the local catchment and do not impact on the adjacent Hastings River estuary. The most contaminated sediments display enrichment factors up to 20 × for Cu and Pb, 9 × for Zn and 5 × for As relative to local background values. However, only one value (for Pb) exceeds National Water Quality Management Strategy interim sediment quality guideline (high) values. On the other hand, sediments and local soils are commonly strongly enriched in Cr, Ni and Mn, reflecting adjacent ultramafic and mafic rock substrate and lateritic regolith. Concentrations of Cr and Ni are commonly well above interim sediment quality guideline (high) values for sediments, but are in mineralogical forms that are not readily bioavailable. Sediment and soil quality guideline values consequently need to recognise natural enrichments and the mineralogical siting of heavy metals. Although dissolved concentrations of heavy metals in stream waters are commonly low, there is evidence for mobility of Cu, Zn, Fe and Al. Parts of the Kooloonbung Creek wetland area lie on sulfidic estuarine sediments (potential acid sulfate soils). Experimental oxidation of uncontaminated and contaminated sulfidic sediments leads to substantial dissolution of heavy metals under acid conditions, with subsequent aquatic mobility. The results warn about disturbance and oxidation of potential acid sulfate soils that have been contaminated by urban and natural heavy-metal sources.

A retrospective assessment of gold mining in the Reedy Creek sub-catchment, northeast Victoria, Australia: residual mercury contamination 100 years later

The mining of gold can lead to toxic metals such as mercury (Hg) contaminating watercourses as by-products. The Reedy Creek sub-catchment, in northeast Victoria, Australia, was mined for gold in the 1850s. In 1998, samples were taken from six watercourses to measure any remaining toxic metal contamination in sediments and surface waters from two creeks with no previous gold mining (controls) and four that were mined. Although mean concentrations of Hg (measured using an ICP-OES) in sediments were below worldwide background levels, individual sites along Reedy Creek had slightly elevated Hg concentrations. In contrast, the Hg concentrations in the surface waters were above background levels. Temporal fluxes of very high Hg concentrations in the surface waters during periods of first flow and flood events revealed that Hg concentrations in the surface waters may, at certain times of the year, exceed all Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (National Water Quality Management Strategy. Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters, ANZECC, 2000) guidelines for water use and the protection of the aquatic ecosystem.

Combatting marine pollution from land-based activities: Australian initiatives

Marine pollution from land-based activities (MPLBA) poses one of the most serious threats to the coastal and marine environment. This paper outlines the nature of the problem and focuses on recent initiatives taken by the Australian government to tackle it. This paper suggests that a solid foundation has been laid for a concerted effort to combat MPLBA in Australia with the release of the first State of the Marine Environment Report and Commonwealth Coastal Policy, development of a National Water Quality Management Strategy and National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy in addition to strong public interest. Yet serious shortcomings are identified, in some initiatives, that stem from a failure to view MPLBA as primarily a waste management problem rather than a water quality or coastal and marine issue. Tentative suggestions are made as to where future action may be taken.

National and regional surface water quality assessment in the Republic of South Africa

Concern over the deteriorating quality of South African surface water resources in the past several decades has resulted in a number of fundamental changes in the approach to national water quality management, the most significant being a shift from a point-source control approach to a more complex and information-intensive receiving-water-quality based strategy. These changes highlighted the urgent need for a new focus on the development of a balanced and integrated strategy for the national and regional assessment of water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. An overview of the current developments, direction and strategies for water quality assessment of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, is presented.

Australian water quality guidelines: a new approach for protecting ecosystem health

The Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) and the Australian Water Resources Council (AWRC) have developed a National Water Quality Management Strategy which seeks to ensure that the nation's water resources are managed on a sustainable basis. An important element of this strategy are the Australian Water Quality Guidelines which focus on the protection of Australian freshwater and marine ecosystems. Here the aim is to protect biodiversity and maintain the ecological integrity of each marine and freshwater resource. Specific guidelines have been formulated in terms of key indicators of quality, with a single reference value or ranges of reference values provided for guidance. For those indicators where ranges are provided, it is the expectation that State environmental and resource management agencies will undertake local, site-specific investigations of their own systems to define the specific levels to be adopted. For the first time, specific and quantitative biological indicators have been introduced; these are species richness, species composition, primary production, and ecosystem function. As Australia progresses towards broader, more holistic, ecologically-based management of the nation's water resources, the present water quality guidelines must be extended to ecosystem or environmental guidelines, where the maintenance of adequate water quality is seen as only one (albeit important) component. Other considerations must include habitat protection, sediment quality, and stream flow maintenance. This increased emphasis on more ecologically-focused management of Australia's inland and coastal waters will present a number of challenges for the three major groups involved: the community, the managers, and the researchers. These challenges are discussed.