Resource Library - Water Source

Other resources

NSWWD Manual for Groundwater Bores for Drinking Water - Release Date 17-Jan-2020: - The NSW Water Directorate released a new O&M Manual for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of groundwater bores for drinking water. Its development has been driven by the drought across much of the state and proliferation of new groundwater sources for drinking water.

Bulk Water Agreement City West Water - Release Date 28-Aug-2017: - Thanks to Melbourne Water for sharing the Bulk Water Agreement for City West Water.

Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs): What are they and how are they used? - Release Date 12-Nov-2014: - The disability-adjusted life year (DALY) is a way of measuring the population impact of a health problem, or the burden of disease, associated with a specific condition. It is a measure of the amount of time (in years) that is ‘lost’ due to imperfect health from a particular cause, taking into account both premature death and time lived in a state of ill-health (termed disability). It also incorporates a weighting for the severity of the disability. Fact sheet kindly provided by Water Research

Health-Based Targets for Microbial Safety of Drinking Water - Release Date 12-Nov-2014: - Pathogens in source waters present a challenge for those tasked with providing safe drinking water. To achieve this, they are guided by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, although advice from the ADWG on this issue could be improved. One proposal is the introduction of health based targets for microbial safety of drinking water. This Fact Sheet provides a brief explanation of HBTs and some rationale for their introduction into the ADWG and is kindly provided by Water Research Australia.

Health-Based Targets for the Microbial Safety of Drinking Water: Stakeholder viewpoints - Release Date 12-Nov-2014: - Health-based targets (HBTs) are measurable health, water quality or performance objectives that are established based on a judgement of what constitutes an acceptable level of health risk in relation to pathogens in drinking water. Incorporation of HBTs for microbial safety of drinking water into future revisions of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines is currently under discussion. Fact sheet kindly provided by Water Research Australia.

Sydney Water Raw Water Supply Agreement - Release Date 13-Mar-2013: - Under the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998, SCA is required to supply raw water to SWC and ensure that raw water supplied by it complies with appropriate standards of quality.

DERM TMP Guidance Documents 309 AM Water Source Management - Release Date 01-Jan-2008: -

DERM TMP Guidance Documents 311 AM Drinking Water Quality Management - Release Date 01-Jan-2008: -

Member sample documents

Help us populate this page by sending your sample documents to dgralton@qldwater.com.au. Please specify any conditions of use:

A. No restrictions on distribution (will be stored on protected area of web site, however if there is a request to share with a non-member we can do so)

B. Can be available to qldwater members (protected area of web site)

C. Other conditions which might allow it to be used more openly i.e. certain parts de-identified, costs removed etc.

Bulk Water Agreement City West Water - Release Date 28-Aug-2017: - Thanks to Melbourne Water for sharing the Bulk Water Agreement for City West Water.

Longreach DMP Sample - Release Date 04-Nov-2011: - Longreach Regional Council (2010) Drought Management Plan.

Presentations

We have collated interesting presentations from our events over the years. We thank our presenters for allowing us to share their knowledge.

WIOA Virtual Conference

qldwater sponsored the Keynote presenter of the 2020 WIOA Virtual Water Conference by internationally renowned researcher, educator, communicator, author and a tireless advocate for scientific excellence and safe drinking water, Dr Steve Hrudey from Canada.

Steve has a strong commitment to empower all those who operate and oversee water systems, advocating the need for education, effective regulation and monitoring, and the need for operators to “know their own systems” for all potential risks to safe drinking water. In this presentation, Steve presents a number of case studies including details of the 2016 Havelock North incident. qldwater Members can access the video from this link - please log in to our website first.

Q'Water 19 Conference

In August 2016, the drinking water supply for Havelock North, New Zealand was contaminated with Campylobacter. The resultant outbreak led to four fatalities, with an additional 5,500 people becoming sick. Australia is not immune to such an outcome. Thanks to Queensland Health and qldwater, this recording features a panel discussion providing a first-hand account of the preconditions of this disaster and what could have been done differently.

Other Presentations

Environment Forum 2026 Presentation Chris Mooney - Release Date 26-Feb-2026: - Chris Mooney presentation at the Environment Forum 2026 on the role of environmental water quality offsets in helping Queensland balance sustainable growth with the protection of waterway health. As development pressures, climate impacts and reduced assimilative capacity in receiving environments place strain on traditional wastewater and stormwater management approaches, offsets provide a flexible pathway to achieve equivalent or improved environmental outcomes through catchment-scale solutions such as wetlands, restoration and nature-based treatment systems. Alongside established point source offset frameworks, there is also growing momentum around off-site stormwater offsets, with a discussion paper currently open for review that explores how these approaches could be implemented more formally across Queensland. This work signals a shift toward more integrated, outcome-focused approaches that support development while strengthening long-term catchment resilience.

Environment Forum 2026 Presentation Goslik Schepers - Release Date 26-Feb-2026: - Dr Goslik Schepers, CEO, Ecomarkets presentation at the 2026 Environment Forum introduced ENVOMARK Assured Nature Credits as a market-based approach to quantifying and funding environmental improvements, positioning them to translate water quality and ecosystem outcomes into investable assets. Similar in concept to carbon credits, ENVOMARK credits are issued for measurable environmental improvements such as nutrient reduction, sediment control or biodiversity outcomes, and can be purchased by organisations to meet ESG commitments, offset impacts or demonstrate environmental stewardship. By providing scientific rigour, transparency and verification, the system helps turn environmental outcomes into tradable value, creating incentives for positive action rather than relying solely on regulatory compliance.

Environment Forum 2026 Presentation Mark Waud - Release Date 26-Feb-2026: - This presentation by Mark Waud, Portfolio Manager, Heathy Land and Water (HLW) outlined the growing need for new approaches to managing nutrient impacts in the face of rapid population growth, increasing rainfall intensity and rising pressure on South East Queensland’s waterways. While significant investment has been made in wastewater treatment over past decades, the scale of future challenges is expected to outpace traditional infrastructure-based solutions. Nutrient offsets and catchment restoration projects, such as those implemented along the Caboolture River, demonstrate how nature-based interventions can deliver measurable reductions in nutrient loads while supporting broader environmental outcomes.

Environment Forum 2026 Presentation Matt Bradbury - Release Date 26-Feb-2026: - This presentation by Matt Bradbury, Director Clear Ridge Consulting explored the importance of recognising and measuring the full value of river systems, highlighting that while rivers are often valued for direct uses such as water supply or irrigation, the majority of their contribution lies in the less visible or easily costed services they provide. Ecosystem markets of rivers involve the valuation, trading, and management of the natural services that healthy river systems provide, such as water purification, flood mitigation, biodiversity habitats, cultural connection, climate mitigation and carbon sequestration – These functions underpin community wellbeing and economic activity but are rarely accounted for in decision-making and policy development. When these broader ecosystem services are considered, Queensland’s rivers are estimated to deliver between $60–70 billion in annual value, reinforcing the need to view them not just as natural features, but as critical economic infrastructure.

Environment Forum 2026 Presentation Payton Te Nagio - Release Date 26-Feb-2026: - This presentation by Payton Te Nagio, Senior Research Assistant at Reef Catchments Science Partnerships, University of Queensland reviewed national and international experience with water quality offsetting and trading schemes to help inform the ongoing evolution of Queensland’s Point Source Water Quality Offsets Policy. It highlighted how offsets allow increased emissions in one location to be balanced by reductions elsewhere, either through upgrades at other point sources or through catchment-based actions that reduce diffuse pollution. While traditional offsetting tends to operate on a case-by-case basis, broader trading schemes offer a more structured, market-based approach that can achieve water quality outcomes more cost-effectively by enabling participants to exchange verified pollution reductions.

Environment Forum 2026 Presentation Rebekah Kenna - Release Date 26-Feb-2026: - This presentation by Dr Rebekah Kenna, Environmental Systems Officers, Redland City Council outlined Redland City Council’s journey in using water quality offsets as part of a broader, strategic approach to managing growth, ageing infrastructure and environmental limits. Recognising that traditional treatment solutions alone may not deliver the most effective outcomes, Council has explored how offsets can be used to achieve genuine net environmental benefits while maintaining flexibility in meeting regulatory requirements. Through an integrated planning process, more than 150 potential offset opportunities were investigated, including wetland restoration and channel naturalisation, positioning offsets as a practical tool to support long-term waterway health alongside essential service delivery.

Essentials Webinar Managing HAB TCC Experience - Release Date 09-Nov-2023: - Trish Knavel and Laura Shiels from Townsville City Council presents Managing Harmful Algal Blooms – Utilising data to build resilience in plant and people as part of the Essentials Webinar Series on HAB.

Essentials Webinar HAB and Health - Release Date 02-Nov-2023: - The conditions that favour HABs include warm temperature, stratified water and calm or stagnant conditions: all circumstances that are associated with drier than usual wet seasons. If HABs do occur, they have the potential to impact drinking water supplies as well as recreational and irrigation water supplies. Queensland Health is currently updating its FAQ on HAB, and in this presentation Dr Phil Choy, Senior Environmental Health Scientist, Queensland Public Health and Scientific Services, Queensland Healthprovides an overview of the different kinds of algae, the impact of location that leads to toxins forming, and how these impact on the health of people and animals.

Essentials Webinar Managing HABs under the Drinking Water Regulatory Framework - Release Date 26-Oct-2023: - Ted Aldred, Manager Water Supply and Regulation – Water Operations and Systems at the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (RDMW), delivered this presentation on ways to manage HABs under the Drinking Water Regulatory Framework in Queensland.

Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria - Release Date 26-Oct-2023: - Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae): a Guide for Water Utilities produced by the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment, Water Quality Research Australia.

2023 Annual Forum Presentation Chantal Keane - Release Date 11-Sep-2023: - Chantal Keane, Futures Specialist Circular Economy at Urban Utilities, presentation at the 2023 Annual Forum on findings from her PhD on Contaminants of Emerging Concern and the need for source control.

2023 Annual Forum Presentation Louise Reeves - Release Date 11-Sep-2023: - Dr Louise Reeves' presentation at the 2023 Annual Forum reflected on the establishment of the SWEAP and qCRAC programs and two key activities including an industry submission on PFAS NEMP 3.0 and the launch of the Chemical Concoctions website to educate people on contaminants hiding in the products we use at home.

Annual Form Presentation Deb Gale SAMMI - Release Date 19-Sep-2022: - Deb Gale from Seqwater introduces Seqwater's Autonomous Motorised Monitoring Instrument (SAMMI).

Annual Forum Presentation Duncan Middleton Seqwater - Release Date 19-Sep-2022: - Duncan Middleton from Seqwater provides an overview of quantitative microbial risk assessments and health based targets in two different catchments - the Brisbane River and Lake Wivenhoe.

Port Douglas Presentation Craig Hanran Cook Shire Council - Release Date 08-Jun-2022: - Port Douglas presentation by Craig Hanran from Cook Shire Council: Turning mud into water in the wet tropics

Port Douglas Regional Conference Presentation David Stevens - Release Date 07-Jun-2022: - Port Douglas Regional Conference Presentation by David Stevens, Cairns Regional Council: Cairns Water Security - Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

Port Douglas Conference Presentation Ravenshoe Regional Water Quality Improvement Plan - Release Date 08-Jun-2022: - Port Douglas Conference presentation by Jon Turner, Megan Cappella and Danielle Jensen from Tablelands Regional Council: Ravenshoe Regional Water Quality Improvement Plan

Livingstone Conference Presentation Angela Capper - Release Date 01-Apr-2022: - Testing of STPs Upstream and Downstream
by Dr. Angela Capper, CQUniversity

Livingstone Conference Presentation Jane Doran - Release Date 01-Apr-2022: - Livingstone Regional Conference presentation by Jane Doran, Gladstone Regional Council: Algae Trials

Annual Forum Presentation Chris Mooney - Release Date 22-Sep-2021: - Catchment Resilience in a Changing Environment by Chris Mooney, Department Environment and Science

Charters Towers Presentation Laura Shiels - Release Date 17-Aug-2021: - Blue Green Algae Event Response
Laura Shiels, Townsville City Council

Charters Towers Presentation Mark Harvey Turbidity Flatline - Release Date 17-Aug-2021: - The Turbidity Analyser Flatlines when we pass 10,000 NTU
Mark Harvey, Charters Towers Regional Council

Barcaldine Presentation GABAC Scott Mason - Release Date 26-May-2021: - Update on Great Artesian Basin Advisory Council by Scott Mason, Central Highlands Regional Council

Barcaldine Presentation LRC Water Security Neil Stiles - Release Date 26-May-2021: - Water Security in the Central West by Neil Stiles, Longreach Regional Council

2020 Atherton Conference Presentation Aleisha Myles and Natasha Glaskin - Release Date 13-Oct-2020: - Atherton Conference presentation by Aleisha Myles and Natasha Glaskin from Tablelands Regional Council: Operationalising WaterVal Practices in Category 4 Catchments

2020 Atherton Conference Presentation Laura Shiels - Release Date 13-Oct-2020: - Atherton Conference 2020 - Presentation by Laura Shiels, Townsville City Council: Analysis of Naegleria fowleri in a Tropical Distribution Network

2019 qldwater Annual Forum Catchment Resilience in a Changing Environment - Chris Mooney - Release Date 18-Sep-2019: - Catchment Resilience in a Changing Environment - Chris Mooney

2019 Hervey Bay Presentation Laura Shiels - Release Date 30-Jul-2019: - Hervey Bay Regional Conference 2019 Presentation: Laura Shiels, Townsville City Council - When a dirty water complaint leads to a lead detection

2019 Hervey Bay Presentation Rob Fearon - Release Date 30-Jul-2019: - Hervey Bay Regional Conference 2019 Presentation: Rob Fearon, qldwater - Reef Councils Major Integrated Project

2019 Townsville Presentation Edgar Salvador - Release Date 17-Jul-2019: - Townsville mini conference 2019 - presentation by Edgar Salvador, Lab Coordinator at Townsville Laboratory Services: Analysis of Poly and Perfluoro-Alkyl Substances by LCMSMS

2019 Townsville Presentation Laura Shiels - Release Date 15-Jul-2019: - Townsville Mini Conference 2019 - presentation by Laura Shiels, Townsville City Council: When a dirty water complaint leads to a lead detection.

2019 Contaminants Workshop National initiatives for dealing with PFAS - Release Date 17-May-2019: - 2019 Emerging Contaminants Workshop presentation: Simone Ventura, DES - National initiatives for dealing with PFAS

2019 Contaminants Workshop Overview of NESP. Update on microplastics research - Release Date 17-May-2019: - 2019 Emerging Contaminants Workshop presentation: Frederieke Kroon, AIMS - overview of NESP and update on microplastics research

2019 Contaminants Workshop Prioritising emerging contaminants. NHMRC process for revising contaminan - Release Date 17-May-2019: - 2019 Emerging Contaminants Workshop presentation: Stuart Khan, UNSW - Prioritising emerging contaminants, NHMRC process for revising contaminant targets

2019 Contaminants Workshop Townsville research project on contaminants in local catchments - Release Date 17-May-2019: - 2019 Emerging Contaminants Workshop presentation: Laura Kuskopf, JCU/Townsville - Townsville research project on contaminants in local catchments

2019 Biloela Conference Presentation Peter Manning Drought - Release Date 08-Apr-2019: - 2019 Biloela Conference presentation by Peter Manning from Central Highlands Regional Council - are we in drought yet?

2019 Biloela Presentation GRC's Quick Connect Sample Unit - Release Date 08-Apr-2019: - 2019 Regional Conference Biloela Presentation by Jane Doran, Gladstone Regional Council - a new approach to water sampling

2019 Biloela Presentation Kelly's Dam FABBRO Dalton - Release Date 08-Apr-2019: - Biloela Presentation Michael Dalton

2019 Water Directorate Biloela Fabbro Dalton - Release Date 08-Apr-2019: - 2019 Biloela regional conference presentation by Associate Professor Larella Fabbro, CQU - Neurotoxins in CQ

2018 Cloncurry Presentation Dwayne Arnold - Release Date 29-Oct-2018: - Cloncurry Mini Conference 2018 - Presentation by Dwayne Arnold from Cloncurry Shire Council: delivering water to Cloncurry residents.

2018 Skills Forum Presentation Paul Rogers Seqwater - Release Date 30-Oct-2018: - Skills Forum 2018. Presentation by Paul Rogers, Seqwater: Multi-disciplined Water Officers - a new future for Water Industry Workers in SEQ.

2017 Central Queensland Conference Yeppon Presentation Ralph Wooley Lower Fitzroy River - Release Date 22-Mar-2017: - 2017 Central Queensland Conference Yeppon. Presentation by Ralph Wooley, Lower Fitzroy River: Infrastructure Project

2017 South West Queensland Conference Dalby Presentation Paul Quinlan Toowoomba Regional Council - Release Date 01-Mar-2017: - 2017 South West Queensland Conference Dalby. Presentation by Paul Quinlan Toowoomba Regional Council: How Deep Does Your Water Flow? Overview of Bathymetric Survey Process and Results

2017 South West Queensland Conference Dalby Presentation Renee Henry DEWS - Release Date 01-Mar-2017: - 2017 South West Queensland Conference Dalby. Presentation by Renee Henry, DEWS: Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Review and Audit

2016 Innovation Forum Presentation Steven Porter Cairns Regional Council - Release Date 15-Sep-2016: - Innovation Forum 2016. Presentation by Steven Porter, Cairns Regional Council: Cairns Water Security Strategy

Andy Hornbuckle Innovation Event presentation - Release Date 26-Nov-2015: -

2015 Cairns Far North Queensland Conference Presentation Michael Lever Leveredge - Release Date 08-May-2015: - Cairns Regional Conference 2015. Presentation by Michael Lever, Leveredge: Waterborne Disease Epidemics

2015 Cairns Far North Queensland Conference Presentation Pat Nixon, Cairns Regional Council - Release Date 08-May-2015: - Cairns Regional Conference 2015. Presentation by Pat Nixon, Cairns Regional Council: A Participatory Approach to Future Water Security for Cairns

2015 Rockhampton Regional Conference Presentation Mark Harvey Townsville City Council - Release Date 16-Apr-2015: - Rockhampton Regional Conference 2015. Presentation by Mark Harvey, Townsville City Council: DWQMP – Taking it off the shelf

2012 Longreach Presentation_Thomas_Bean_GABSI - Release Date 01-Aug-2012: - 2012 Longreach Conference presentation by Thomas Bean, GABSI

2012 Longreach Presentation_Michael_Grosser_Connors_River_Dam - Release Date 01-Aug-2012: - 2012 Longreach Conference presentation by Michael Grosser - Connors River Dam case study

2019 Contaminants Workshop SEQ THM Strategy Group - Release Date 17-May-2019: - 2019 Emerging Contaminants Workshop presentation: Natasha Georgius, Logan City Council - SEQ THM Strategy Group

Webinars