Water quantity and quality monitoring networks
The department operates and maintains four networks across the state to monitor surface and groundwater quantity and quality. These programs operate under an ISO 9001 certified Quality Management System (audited and re-assessed every three years) to ensure public confidence in the data underpinning the department's water planning and management activities.
Streamflow monitoring
The department has an extensive network of around 400 stream flow monitoring sites (gauging stations) across the state that collect both height and flow information. A subset of some 190 of these gauging stations collect time series water quality data (i.e. continuous conductivity and temperature data). The flow data from the network is used for a number of purposes, including:
- monitoring water quantity, and the condition and trend of water quality
- monitoring compliance with resource operations plan requirements
- informing decisions on day-to-day management, e.g. making water harvesting announcements
- underpinning the hydrological modelling for each catchment
- providing information to support BOM's flood warning activities.
Much of this information is available online via the interactive Water monitoring data portal.
Surface water quality monitoring
The purpose of the Queensland Surface Water Ambient Network (PDF, 147K)* (SWAN) is to collect ambient, long term water quality data at selected gauging stations. Water quality samples for a number of different parameters are taken at around 190 gauging stations with the frequency varying depending on operational conditions. This information is then used to assess and report on the condition and trend of Queensland's water resources. For more information please download the ambient surface water quality summary reports.
For a list of other water quality monitoring programs, including estuarine and marine related data collection, please see the Queensland Waterway Monitoirng Portal.
Sub-artesian water groundwater level monitoring
DERM is reponsible for the management of Queensland's groundwater resources, its protection and sustainable use. The sub-artesian groundwater level network consists of around 5500 groundwater bores and fulfils a Departmental obligation under the Water Act 2000. The collected data is used for water resource planning and water management programs and is available to the public, water service providers, local governments and community groups. In addition, 150 bores are continuously monitoirng, collecting time series groundwater level data.
The number, location and monitoring frequency of all bores selected for the network can be accessed using the following links:
- groundwater quantity sub-basin 0032-1290 (PDF, 526K)*
- groundwater quantity sub-basin 1300-1414 (PDF, 588K)*
- groundwater quantity sub-basin 1430-9130 (PDF, 490K)*
Sub-artesian groundwater quality monitoring
The sub-artesian Groundwater Ambient Network (PDF, 490K)* (GWAN) was established to gather water quality data across the state. The data is used for a variety of other purposes, including:
- assessing the condition and trend of groundwater quality,
- tracking saltwater intrusion
- supporting water resource planning, water quality planning and modelling
- determination of water suitability for use in town water supplies or irrigation.
Further information is available also online via the interactive Water monitoring data portal.
Contact details
If you have problems downloading any of these documents, or would like a copy mailed to you, please refer to the Resource centre area of the data portal or alternatively contact:
Department of Environment and Resource Management
Water Accounting
41 George Street
GPO Box 2454
Brisbane Qld 4001
Phone: (07) 3239 3931
Fax: (07) 3406 2190
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 24 October 2011