New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE LOWER GWYDIR GROUNDWATER SOURCE 2003 - REG 38

38 Water quality management

(1) The beneficial uses of this groundwater source are raw water for drinking, and irrigation, based on beneficial use classes identified in the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council Water Quality Guidelines 2001 , and the National Health and Medical Research Council Raw Water for Drinking Purposes Guidelines 1996 .

Note: It is not recommended that the water from this groundwater source be consumed without prior treatment. Land use activities may have polluted the groundwater in some areas.

(2) Water quality decline will be deemed unacceptable if extraction is likely to cause water quality to decline to a lower beneficial use class.

(3) The Minister may declare that, in order to protect water quality within this groundwater source, local access rules are to apply in a defined area known as a local impact area.

(4) If unacceptable water quality declines are resulting from extraction, extraction from all water supply works (bores) within a local impact area declared under subclause (3) that are nominated by an access licence will be restricted to such an extent and for such time as required to halt that decline, or restore the beneficial use of this groundwater source.

(5) Extraction under local water utility access licences shall be subject to restrictions under this Part, but not to such an extent as access is denied.