Water Quality Monitoring & Analysis

CCB undertakes water quality monitoring at the highest possible standard and in strict accordance with guidelines such as AS/NZS 5667.1 and AS/NZS 2031: 2001. All sample analysis is undertaken using strict protocols developed in our sister NATA Certified Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL), Southern Cross University. In addition to NATA Certification, the CCB in conjunction with the EAL, has participated in the NLLNCT Trials for the past 12 years and consistently received average Z scores <1. Further, while the NATA and NLLNCT compliance may reflect a laboratory's quality control for fresh and marine waters, they say little about the laboratory's

Examples of a few recent studies:

Pine and Caboolture Rivers Event Monitoring. Client: Moreton Bay Regional Council
We have been undertaking event monitoring at several sites throughout the Pine and Caboolture catchments to estimate sediments and nutrient loads.
Client Outcomes: (1) Identify which parts of the catchment are contributing the largest loads so management efforts can be concentrated on the key problem areas; (2) Allow load reduction targets to be set, and in the future determine if load reduction targets are being meet; (3) Quantify the diffuse load contribution to the Pine and Caboolture Rivers Estuary.

Macleay Estuary Process Study Client: Kempsey Shire Council
This study involved monthly water quality sampling in the Macleay Estuary over a 12 month period as part of the Macleay Estuary Processes Study.
Client Outcome: We identified the major factors controlling water quality and ecosystem health of the Macleay Estuary so management efforts could be concentrated on the problem areas

Nine NSW Estuary and Catchment Study. Client: Environmental Trust (NSWEPA)
This study involved the sampling of 9 northern NSW estuaries over a period of one year. The sampling program was rapid and strictly controlled, using 2 or 3 boats simultaneously, so that all nine estuaries were usually sampled within 4 to 5 days of each other. River samples were also collected at the head of each estuary on a flow-weighted basis to calculate catchment sediment and nutrient loads.
Client Outcome: We identified the major factors controlling water quality and ecosystem health of the estuaries so management efforts could be concentrated on the problem areas.

Three SEQLD Estuary and Catchment Study. Client: Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchment Partnership
This study was undertaken as part of the Task 'Design and Implementation of Baseline Monitoring' during Stage 2 of the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay Wastewater Management Study. This program was the forerunner of the SEQLD Ecological Health Monitoring Program (EHMP). CCB collected water quality data along the salinity gradients of the Logan, Brisbane and Caboolture estuaries over a period of one year. We also collected flow-weighted samples at the head of each estuary for calculating catchment sediment and nutrient loads.
Client Outcome: Our novel approach to analysing this type of estuarine data using mixing plots was adopted as one of the EHMP ecosystem health indicators.

Pimpama River Estuary Ecological Study. Client: SKM for Gold Coast Water
CCB carried out water quality monitoring in the Pimpama River Estuary monthly over a 12 month period. As well as the routine monthly sampling, a rapid response sampling immediately following a flood was also undertaken.
Client Outcome: This project demonstrated that the proposed discharge from our clients new wastewater treatment facility would meet their environmental regulatory requirements. The CCB water quality data was used to calibrate and verify the predictive ecosystem model and we also used the data to assess the current ecosystem health of the receiving waters.

Spatially Intensive Water Quality Monitoring. Client: Tweed Shire Council
Spatially intensive water quality monitoring involves the collection of water quality data from a large number of sample sites over a short period of time. CCB undertook a spatially intensive water quality monitoring program in the Rous catchment, northern NSW where we collected water quality data from 108 sample sites over a 2 day period.
Client Outcome: Our work identified a number of problem areas and evoked an immediate management response, where Environmental Health Officers were sent into the field to inspect the problem areas. This contrasts with previous Routine water quality studies in the Rous by our client that identified a water quality problem, but not the exact causes, as such there was no immediate management intervention.

Brunswick Heads By-Pass. Client: RTA
This study involved compliance monitoring of water quality for our client during construction of the Brunswick Heads by-pass. The study involved 3 stages (1) one year of pre-construction monitoring to define base line water quality at the construction site, to compare existing conditions with the proposed water quality criteria for site discharge, and identify where these criteria are not meet by existing conditions, (2) 18 months of construction stage monitoring to compare water quality at the construction site with water quality from the pre-construction stage and determine if construction of the Brunswick Heads bypass had any impact on water quality at the construction site and in adjacent waterways and (3) three years of post-construction monitoring to determine if the road operation had any impact on water quality in adjacent waterways. Routine and event based monitoring, linked to real-time rainfall data, was undertaken during the 5-year monitoring program.
Client Outcome: We helped our client meet its regulatory requirements.

Bribie Island Haul Road. Client: Maunsell
This study involved compliance monitoring of water quality for our client during construction of the Bribie Island Haul Road. The study involved 3 stages (1) pre-construction monitoring to define base line water quality at the construction site, to compare existing conditions with the proposed water quality criteria for site discharge, and identify where these criteria are not meet by existing conditions, (2) construction stage monitoring to compare water quality at the construction site with water quality from the pre-construction stage and determine if construction of the Bribie Island Haul Road had any impact on water quality at the construction site and in adjacent waterways and (3) post-construction monitoring to determine if the road operation had any impact on water quality in adjacent waterways.
Client Outcome: We helped our client meet its regulatory requirements.

Water Quality Monitoring (automated)

CCB has access to a full range of automated equipment for monitoring environmental data. We are able to design, install and maintain automated systems and most importantly interpret and understand the data collected allowing our Clients to better manage their natural resources and meet their regulatory requirements.

Examples of a few recent studies:

Acid Runoff. Client: Environmental Trust (NSWEPA)
This study involved the simultaneous deployment of six Hydrolab DS3 Multiprobe loggers in the lower Richmond River catchment to monitor acid runoff from acid sulphate soil environments.
Client Outcome: This study identified the major factors controlling acid runoff in the lower Richmond River catchment so our client could concentrate their management efforts on the problem areas.

Estuarine Turbidity. Client: Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchment Partnership
This study was part of the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay Wastewater Management Study. We took turbidity profiles simultaneously at 3 locations along the Brisbane River Estuary. One hundred and sixty two synoptic profiles of turbidity (suspended sediment) were undertaken in the Brisbane River estuary during a range of tidal conditions (low, high, mid, neap, spring) to give some insight into the development and migration of the tidally-induced turbidity maximum. Profiles were measured using Hydrolab DS3 multiprobe loggers.
Client Outcome: We provided the first detailed understanding of the major factors controlling turbidity in the Brisbane River Estuary so our client could focus their management efforts on the problem areas.

Updated: 16 December 2010