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Water Quality Protection Notes

Water Quality Protection Notes are provided for activities that may impact on the quality of the State's water resources.

Water Quality Protection Notes are designed to convey our view on land use activities and water resource protection issues. Our aim is to ensure that the Department's advice is consistent and that land use planning proponents have an understanding of the factors considered when their proposal is assessed.

These notes provide a basis for developing formal best management practice guidelines in consultation with key stakeholders. They are recommendations only, and may be varied at the discretion of the Department.

We welcome your comments and suggestions on these notes. They will be improved as the need arises to make them as useful as possible. Our contact points are nominated in each note.
  A - E
Adobe Portable Document Format Agriculture - dryland crops near sensitive water resources WQPN 1
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This note applies to dryland cropping near sensitive water resources.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Aquaculture WQPN 2
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This note applies to premises that propagate, grow or hold aquatic plants and/or animals (including fish, crustaceans, and shellfish) for commercial purposes and there is a risk of contamination from the premises or facilities to sensitive water resources. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Australian Drinking Water Guidelines: An Overview WQPN 78
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This note provides a brief background to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, an overview of their current status and key elements, and explains how departmental staff are involved in implementing these guidelines in Western Australia.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Bridle trails near sensitive water resources WQPN 82
Document Size: 116428 bytes
Within surface drinking-water catchment areas the riding of horses is only permitted on established public roads or designated trails. This note offers guidance on the potential risks to water resources posed by bridle trails and current best management practice to avoid and/or reduce those risks. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Chemical blending WQPN 7
Document Size: 241660 bytes
This note applies to all premises or activities where chemicals or chemical products are stored, decanted, blended, diluted or packaged, and the chemicals could cause contamination of water resources in the event of spillage or discharge. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Community drinking water sources - protection and management WQPN 9
Document Size: 105916 bytes
A community drinking water source is any surface water body or groundwater resource used for domestic drinking water supply needs that is managed by a local group for household (drinking) water supplies. These sources generally serve communities of less than 1,000 people (eg mining camps, Aboriginal communities, caravan parks, roadhouses, farm-stays or other tourism facilities). They are normally located outside of gazetted towns that have government-managed reticulated water services. The resource may be accessed by wells, pumps or reservoirs that collect surface water run-off.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Contaminant spills - emergency response WQPN 10
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This note applies to any chemical spillage that may pose a threat to aspects of the environment, including human health and amenity.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Cooling tower wastewater management and disposal WQPN 99
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This note applies to the management and discharge of cooling-tower wastewater from refrigerated or evaporative air-conditioning systems. It has particular relevance to office cooling-tower systems.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Dairy processing plants WQPN 12
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This note is intended as a generic guide on issues of environmental concern to areas where water resources are susceptible to contamination by dairy processing activities, and to offer potential solutions based on professional judgement and precedent.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Dam construction and operation in rural areas WQPN 53
Document Size: 261145 bytes
This note describes the range of impacts private water supply dams, which are constructed in rural areas, can have on the State’s water resources. It also recommends how dam owners can minimise the environmental impacts of rural dams. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Dewatering of soils at construction sites WQPN 13
Document Size: 119316 bytes
This note applies to dewatering operations that remove water from groundwater seepage, excavations that intersect aquifers or pits flooded by storm events. Our main purpose is to guide the environmental management of dewatering at construction sites and during the installation of buried structures and services, however aspects may also relate to agricultural land drainage.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Extractive industries within public drinking water source areas WQPN 15
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These notes apply to the establishment, operation and rehabilitation of extractive industries within Public Drinking Water Source Areas (PDWSAs) across the State. 
 

  F - K
Adobe Portable Document Format Floriculture activities near sensitive water resources WQPN 17
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Floriculture includes all commercially grown flowering and ornamental plants in greenhouse based pots, trays, troughs and contained beds, or in field settings. This note applies to both new and established operations growing plants near sensitive water resources. These resources include public drinking water source areas, conservation valued wetlands and waterways, and aquifers or waters with significant economic, social and/or cultural values.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format General and heavy industry near sensitive waters WQPN 20
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This note applies to general and heavy industrial facilities located near sensitive water resources. It is not intended to cover agricultural and mining activities or light industry, but may offer some useful guidance on potential risks to the environment and good practice. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Groundwater monitoring bores WQPN 30
Document Size: 196067 bytes
This note applies to construction of screened or slotted casing groundwater monitoring bores. The bores may be installed using a variety of materials/ construction methods suited to their depth, intended use and the local soil strata.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Hydroponic plant growing WQPN 19
Document Size: 139876 bytes
This note applies to the operation of open and closed hydroponic systems for growing plants. It is not intended to cover systems where plants are grown in contact with soil or where contaminants can leach into the environment, but may offer some useful guidance on potential risks to the environment and good practice. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Identification, assessment and protection of public drinking water source areas WQPN 87
Document Size: 321015 bytes
This note describes the issues and procedures involved in developing drinking water source areas that are used to ensure the availability of safe, good quality drinking water to the Western Australian community. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Infrastructure corridors near sensitive water resources WQPN 83
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This note applies to all new or upgraded infrastructure corridors and associated works such as access roads and drainage systems, where the development could harm the quality of any sensitive water resources. The note aims to cover all phases of the life cycle of an infrastructure corridor from initial planning and design, through to construction, operation and maintenance, to potential closure. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Iron staining caused by irrigation systems WQPN 21
Document Size: 88909 bytes
Iron derived from groundwater irrigation systems produces unsightly rust stains on buildings, paths, fences and plants in many areas, especially the Perth coastal plain. This note discusses the causes, ways to minimise staining and measures that can be taken to remove the stains. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Irrigation with nutrient rich wastewater WQPN 22
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This note covers the controlled sprinkler, dripper or sub-surface irrigation of vegetated land with stabilised nutrient rich wastewater from: (a)industry, such as abattoirs, animal holdings, aquaculture, breweries, and food processors; (b) recycled run-off from agricultural land; and (c)tertiary treated municipal wastewater (sewage) where permitted by health authorities.  
 

  L - O
Adobe Portable Document Format Laboratories WQPN 23
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This note applies to chemical management and waste disposal at all laboratories. It is intended to cover laboratories serving educational institutions; industrial, pathological, and pharmaceutical facilities; photographic processing and commercial analytical laboratories. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Landfilling with inert materials WQPN 24
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This note applies to the siting, operation and management of Class I landfill sites, i.e. those that are approved to accept only inert materials.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Landfills for disposal of putrescible materials WQPN 111
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This note applies to the siting, operation and rehabilitation of Class II or III landfill sites existing or proposed near sensitive water resources. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Land use compatibility in public drinking water source areas WQPN 25
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The note provides our position on a range of land uses assessed against our water quality protection strategies and management objectives within Public Drinking Water Source Areas (PDWSAs).  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Land use planning in public drinking water source areas WQPN 76
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This note provides guidance on how PDWSAs should be identified and protected under water resource management and land use planning legislation and planning schemes.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Light industry near sensitive waters WQPN 93
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This note applies to all light industrial facilities, as defined in the amended Town Planning Regulations 1967 and Model Scheme Text, located near sensitive water resources. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Liners for containing pollutants, using engineered soils WQPN 27
Document Size: 103213 bytes
This note applies to constructed ponds and material holding compounds used to contain substances that present a low hazard to waters in the environment due to their nature, mobility or concentration.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Liners for containing pollutants, using synthetic membranes WQPN 26
Document Size: 146018 bytes
This note applies to the synthetic lining of structures used for holding low hazard materials that may pollute sensitive water resources. Holding structures include: aquaculture ponds, containment facilities for municipal and animal wastes, mineral processing fluids, solid residue holding areas for mining or mineral processing waste or sediment. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Mechanical equipment washdown WQPN 68
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These notes apply to small-scale washdown facilities used to clean vehicles and other mechanical equipment. Facilities that will use more than five kilolitres of water per day need to be formally assessed by the Commission.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Mechanical servicing and workshops WQPN 28
Document Size: 249849 bytes
This note applies to the design, installation and operation of mechanical servicing and workshop facilities for motor vehicles, agricultural and earthmoving machinery, industrial plant (eg pumps and generators), and any similar equipment where harmful fluids could escape into the environment and potentially contaminate water resources.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Motor sport facilities near sensitive waters WQPN 100
Document Size: 281953 bytes
This note applies to any venue (permanent or temporary) that provides facilities for competitive activities involving motorised vehicles (eg cars, motorcycles) located near sensitive water resources. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Nurseries and garden centres WQPN 32
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This note applies to both new and established plant nurseries (propagation and retail) and garden centres located near sensitive water resources.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Nutrient and irrigation management plans WQPN 33
Document Size: 113455 bytes
This note covers rural and recreational land areas exceeding 5,000 square metres where vegetation is irrigated, fertiliser is applied, animals are held intensively in paddocks and/or organic solids containing nutrients are spread onto the land.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Orchards near sensitive water resources WQPN 34
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This note applies to both new and established orchard operations growing plants alongside or upstream of sensitive surface water resources or within the recharge areas of groundwater resources. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Outdoor events WQPN 67
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This note applies to organised outdoor events that are to be held within proclaimed Public Drinking Water Source Areas. 
 

  P - S
Adobe Portable Document Format Pastoral activities within rangelands WQPN 35
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The aim of this note is to provide members of the community, policy-makers and new or city-based DoE personnel with an overview of best management practices that may be implemented on pastoral leases to protect the quality of water resources.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Pest control depots WQPN 47
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This note applies to the establishment and operation of all premises serving as a base for the application of commercial quantities of pesticides. More specifically this note addresses depots handling, storing or blending pesticides used in urban, industrial or rural settings. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Ponds for stabilising organic matter WQPN 39
Document Size: 163847 bytes
This note applies to constructed ponds (sometimes called lagoons) used to stabilise carbon-rich wastewater containing solids of human, animal or plant origin; to assist in the reduction of disease-causing microbes; to settle out and degrade suspended solids; and to contain and/or solar evaporate wastewater. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Private drinking water supplies WQPN 41
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The information in this note applies to water drawn from lakes, rivers, streams, soaks, collector dams and groundwater for household usage, farm and pastoral lease supply, processing of commercial products, and irrigation of gardens and crops.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Proclaimed public drinking water source areas WQPN 75
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This note lists the PDWSA which are currently proclaimed in Western Australia. Please note the list is subject to change as new proclamations, amendments and abolition of PDWSA occur. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Protecting public drinking water source areas WQPN 36
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This note provides an overview of the present strategy used to protect public drinking water supply sources in Western Australia.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Public drinking water source areas of Western Australia - A register of drinking water catchments within each local government WQPN 108
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The purpose of this register is to provide an easy reference guide for the identification of Public Drinking Water Source Areas (PDWSA) within each local government authority throughout the state. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Radiator repair and reconditioning WQPN 42
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This note applies to new and established radiator repairers and reconditioners throughout WA.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Risk assessment of public drinking water source areas WQPN 77
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This note provides advice on the approach used to assess risks that exist within catchments used to supply drinking water to cities and towns across Western Australia (known as Public Drinking Water Source Areas). 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Roads near sensitive water resources WQPN 44
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This note applies to all new or upgraded roadways (sealed or unsealed) and associated works such as bridges and drainage that could affect sensitive water resources. The note aims to cover all phases of the lifecycle of a roadway, including feasibility studies and planning, construction, operation and maintenance, and potential closure followed by environmental restoration. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Rural abattoirs WQPN 98
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This note provides a general guide on issues of environmental concern, and offers potential solutions based on professional judgement and precedent. The recommendations made do not override any statutory obligation or Government policy statement. Regulatory agencies should not use this note’s recommendations without a site-specific assessment of any project’s environmental risks. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Rural restaurants, cafés and taverns near sensitive water resources WQPN 79
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This note applies to all food premises located in rural settings near sensitive water resources that prepare, handle, store or serve any food products or beverages to the public, in areas where services such as reticulated sewerage and waste disposal may be limited or absent. The requirements for these food premises vary according to the size of operation, type of food prepared, frequency of use; and type and quantity of waste material entering the wastewater treatment system.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Service stations WQPN 49
Document Size: 148521 bytes
This note applies to service station establishment and upgrades, other fuel dispensing facilities and frequently associated mechanical repair and vehicle wash facilities. The recommendations aim to cover the life cycle of service stations from establishment to closure.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Soil amendment using industrial by-products to improve land fertility WQPN 50
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This note only applies to the land application of industrial by-products that may be used to improve soil fertility by the addition of soil additives that enhance its chemical and/or physical properties for improved plant growth.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stockyards WQPN 80
Document Size: 175594 bytes
This note applies to both permanent and temporary stockyards for confining and holding livestock for a range of purposes including sale, receival, transport, emergency feeding, husbandry, weaning, rendering, slaughtering and similar food or hide production animal facilities operating for a commercial purpose.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Stormwater management at industrial sites WQPN 52
Document Size: 114387 bytes
This note applies to light, general and heavy industrial sites throughout Western Australia. It provides a list of recommendations related to stormwater management practice that should be addressed, including proposals involving Environmental Impact Assessment.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Subdivision and rezoning in Public Drinking Water Source Areas WQPN 54
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This note applies to urban, special rural and rural-residential subdivisions, and all land use rezoning in PDWSA in Western Australia. Land rezoning includes amendments to regional, district or town planning schemes.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Sub-soil monitor drains and water recovery sumps WQPN 31
Document Size: 295691 bytes
This note applies to rural or industrial sites where samples of leachate are required below a vegetated root zone following rainfall or surface application of fertilisers, chemicals or waste matter. In particular, this note applies in the following circumstances: where water seepage quantity needs to be measured; where the effects of surface soil filtration and microbiological degradation in the topsoil are to be examined for materials that have been applied to the land surface; and/or where monitor bores may not be appropriate due to the depth to the groundwater or there is uncertainty about the direction of movement of groundwater.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Swimming pools WQPN 55
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This note applies to all constructed swimming and spa pools, including private (backyard) pools, hotel, club, school and resort pools, municipal aquatic centres and commercial water recreation facilities. 
 

  T - Z
Adobe Portable Document Format Tanks - closure of underground storage WQPN 64
Document Size: 137421 bytes
This note applies to wholly or partly buried tank systems used to contain chemicals such as acids, alkalis, brines, detergents, fuels, liquid fertilisers, metal-rich solutions, oils, pesticides and solvents near sensitive water resources. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Tanks for elevated chemical storage WQPN 56
Document Size: 322565 bytes
This note applies in all settings where liquid chemicals that are potentially polluting, toxic or hazardous (including fuel and lubricants) are stored in tanks or held in processing vessels, above the ground surface.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Tanks for ground level chemical storage WQPN 61
Document Size: 332172 bytes
This note provides a general guide on issues of environmental concern, and offers potential solutions based on professional judgement and precedent. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Tanks for mobile fuel storage in public drinking water source areas WQPN 60
Document Size: 492753 bytes
This note provides a general guide on issues of environmental concern and offers potential solutions based on professional judgement and precedent. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Tanks for temporary elevated fuel and chemical storage WQPN 58
Document Size: 146324 bytes
This note applies to above ground tanks used for storing liquid fuel, such as petrol or distillate, or chemicals such as liquid fertilisers, organic solvents, and pesticides. The focus is on storage tank capacities of 250 litres or greater with a transient use period of less than 12 months.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Tanks for underground chemical storage WQPN 62
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These notes apply to underground storage tanks used to store chemicals including petroleum hydrocarbons, ie petrol, diesel, oils, and solvents.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Toxic and hazardous substances – storage and use WQPN 65
Document Size: 114067 bytes
This note applies to the storage and use of substances that if released into the environment in significant quantities, may harm living things that are dependent on clean water resources.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Tracks and trails near sensitive water resources WQPN 81
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This note applies to tracks and trails used for recreational activities, such as walking, cycling and horse riding, near sensitive water resources.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Tropical agriculture WQPN 101
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This note applies to agricultural crops, orchards and silviculture operations north of the Tropic of Capricorn, where there are distinct wet and dry seasons and temperatures are typically warm to hot all year round. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Vegetation buffers to sensitive water resources WQPN 6
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This note provides guidance on retaining, maintaining and where necessary re-establishing vegetated buffers between land use activities (i.e. commercial, industrial, recreational, rural or urban uses) and sensitive water resources managed to protect their value for the community.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Wastewater treatment - onsite domestic systems WQPN 70
Document Size: 118349 bytes
This note describes the most common types of domestic wastewater treatment systems used in Western Australia and provides recommendations for their siting and maintenance.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Water supplies for rural lots (non-potable use) WQPN 48
Document Size: 109509 bytes
This note applies to semi-rural properties up to 5 ha in size that need to provide their own water supply and onsite liquid waste disposal.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Wineries and distilleries WQPN 73
Document Size: 258057 bytes
This note applies to all commercial wineries and distilleries in Western Australia, particularly those near sensitive water resources. The recommendations made apply to all commercial facilities processing grapes and other fruits into wines, and distilleries that produce alcoholic spirits or fortified wines using stills to vaporise then condense alcoholic fluids. 
 

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