13.Groundwater
The basis of groundwater management in the ACT is to ensure that groundwater continues to be used in a sustainable manner. Pressure on the use of groundwater resources is recognised as the main threat and effective long-term management of its use is needed. This includes compliance, monitoring and investigative programs to ensure adequate quantification and characterisation of groundwater resources.
Groundwater quality also needs to be protected – particularly from pollution sources. This is done through legislation and policies of the Environmental Protection Authority.
The measurable target
This target aims to ensure that total licence volumes do not rise above the amount of water available in water sharing plans.
It will identify high risk management areas using active monitoring programs, and calculate sustainable yield from multiple methods and management recommendations drawn from program evaluation
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Intermediate Monitoring and measurement methods of aquifers expanded in accordance with increases in demand and risk (2015) Sustainable yields evaluated in line with most recent information (2015) Long-term Ensure water management areas do not experience groundwater abstraction above sustainable yields (2030) |
Related plans Think water, act water Draft Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks: Managing Aquifer Recharge (Phase 2) Environmental Protection Act 1997 Environmental Protection Legislation 2005 Water quality Environment Protection Policy, April 2008 Environment Protection Guidelines for Construction and Land Development in the ACT, August 2007 Contaminated Site Environment Protection Policy, November 2000 |
Foundation Comprehensive assessment of groundwater reserves and sustainable yields Foundation documents include: Environment ACT annual water reports, Salient Solutions and Integrated Carchment Assessment and Management Centre (iCAM) 2001, Groundwater Assessment of Jerrabomberra Creek Catchment, Salient Solutions and iCAM On-ground Cap new entitlement applications based on current knowledge of sustainable yields Cancel or buyback licences where appropriate Field validation of aquifers For priority subcatchments, determine water balance that incorporates regional groundwater modelling Monitor activities to ascertain water quality in and extent of known aquifers Collate historical information into database |
