EPA Strategic Water Science Plan
2022 - 2024
The Plan
Science at the EPA aims to protect and enhance the quality of our waters in South Australia. We apply science to inform regulation of industries licensed by the EPA and the management of activities that discharge or deposit pollutants into inland or marine waters. We invest in projects for water science and build partnerships with researchers and institutions to enhance our knowledge in water science and improve the condition of our waters.
The EPA Strategic Water Science plan will build our capacity to address water quality issues that affect our inland, coastal and groundwater in South Australia.
Cape Spencer Lighthouse (Innes National Park)
Our Science
Science is used at the EPA to manage the discharge or deposit of pollutants into South Australian's waters. We identify under what circumstances pollutants enter our waters (how, when, where, why) and what impacts they may have on animals, plants and humans who rely on our inland waters, groundwater and nearshore coastal environments. We use the source-pathway-receptor model which enables us to effectively assess the environmental risk of pollution and identify appropriate controls to mitigate that risk.
Our People
We employ highly qualified and skilled staff who are experts in their field to support the work undertaken by the EPA. Our scientific knowledge is maintained by contributing at conferences, being actively involved in scientific associations, undertaking training, conducting research with external institutions and attending field visits.
Murray River
PROGRAM 1: MONITORING, ASSESSING AND REPORTING ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES OF WATERS
ArcGIS Dashboard below shows the condition reports for inland and coastal sites
Eringa Waterhole (Lake Eyre North Catchment)
PROGRAM 2: IDENTIFYING CONTAMINANT SOURCES, PATHWAYS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES
River Torrens
PROGRAM 3: SETTING WATER QUALITY GUIDELINES AND IDENTIFY DISCHARGE CRITERIA FOR ACTIVITIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
Canunda National Park beach
PROGRAM 4: INTEGRATING SCIENCE INTO RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR ACTIVITIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
Eyre Peninsula Coastline
PROGRAM 5: ASSESSING ENVIRONMENTAL HARM AND RECOVERY FROM MAJOR POLLUTION SPILLS AND DISCHARGES
Pt Rickaby Jetty (Yorke Peninsula)
Progress
Acknowledgement
Cover artwork: Caring for Country. Artist: Scott Rathman.
Acknowledgement of Country
The EPA acknowledges our First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across Australia and acknowledge their deep and ongoing spiritual connection to Sea and Country.
Web: www.epa.sa.gov.au
