Environmental
Water Quality
Testing your water quality on a regular basis is an important part of maintaining a safe and reliable source. The test results allow you to address properly the specific problems of a water supply. This will help ensure that the water source is being properly protected from potential contamination, and that appropriate treatment is selected and operating properly. Regular testing is important to:
- identify existing problems
- ensure water is suitable for the intended use
- ensure safe drinking water
- determine the effectiveness of a treatment system
Basic Water Quality Test packages include tests for coliform bacteria, nitrates, pH, sodium, chloride, fluoride, sulphate, iron, manganese, total dissolved solids, and hardness.
- Coliform bacteria tests indicate the presence of microorganisms in the water that are potentially harmful to human health.
- Nitrate is a common contaminant found mainly in groundwater. High nitrate concentrations can be particularly dangerous for babies under six months, since nitrate interferes with the ability of blood to carry oxygen.
- Ions such as sodium, chloride, sulphate, iron, and manganese can impart objectionable taste or odour to water.
- Excessive amounts of sulfate can have a laxative effect or cause gastrointestinal irritation.
- Fluoride is an essential micro-nutrient, but excessive amounts can cause dental problems.
- Total dissolved solids represent the amount of inorganic substances (i.e. sodium, chloride, sulphate) that are dissolved in the water. High total dissolved solids (TDS) can reduce the palatability of water.
Other tests may be appropriate if a particular contaminant is suspected in the water. For instance, groundwater sources are sometimes tested for arsenic, selenium, and uranium. Both surface and groundwater sources may also be tested for pesticide contamination.
Airborne Contaminant Monitoring
Environmental airborne contaminant monitoring is often a key requirement of project compliance conditions. Environmental licensing limits rely heavily on environmental airborne contaminant levels compared with the appropriate guidelines/standards.
Common ambient air environmental monitoring requirements include; Dust Deposition, Dioxins and Lead.
Where applicable, all monitoring is carried out in accordance with relevant Australian standards/guidelines.
Environmental Audits and Surveys
An environmental audit is a formal periodic assessment conducted on site using an established protocol. The short term objectives of these audits are to determine compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The audits will not only identify potential compliance issues, but will recommend, as applicable, pollution prevention process changes to assist the facility in achieving and sustaining compliance. The long term objectives of these audits are to ensure ongoing conformance and adherence with company operating systems/national standards with respect to environmental guidelines/standards.
