New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE LOWER MURRUMBIDGEE GROUNDWATER SOURCES 2003 - REG 37

37 Water quality management

(1) The beneficial uses of these groundwater sources, based on the 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 , are

(a) ecosystem protection and agricultural water for the Shallow Groundwater Source, and

(b) raw water for drinking, ecosystem protection and agricultural water for the Deep Groundwater Source.

Note: It is not recommended that the groundwater from these groundwater sources 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 these groundwater sources, local access rules are to apply in a defined area known as a local impact area.

(4) If unacceptable water quality declines are occurring, 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 a time as is required to halt that decline, or restore the beneficial uses of these groundwater sources.