Water Management
This fact sheet explains the laws governing how water can be used and how the extraction of water is regulated.
It discusses the framework regulating the construction and use of works such as dams, weirs, pumps, drains and pipes and the rules about how activities on or near water sources in NSW are permitted to be carried out.
It discusses water management plans, water access licences, environmental flows and water trading. It also identifies the relevant decision-makers and enforcement authorities.
This fact sheet will be useful for people who want to know how water use is regulated, landholders who want approval for water use or for the construction of work to enable water use and landholders who want to understand the regulatory regime relating to water use in NSW.
Other fact sheets you may find useful: Technical Fact Sheet – Groundwater, Technical Fact Sheet – Water Quality Assessment
Water, Air and Noise Pollution
This Fact Sheet explains how air, water and noise pollution is regulated.
It identifies the responsible authorities involved in the regulation and enforcement of different types of pollution. It explains how pollution can be authorised by environment protection licences and discusses how the public can have their say about the issuing and renewal of licences. It details common pollution offences and explains how you can report and enforce these offences.
This Fact Sheet will be useful for people who are concerned about a pollution incident in their local area and those who want to know more about how pollution is regulated.
Other Fact Sheets you may find useful: Waste Management, Contaminated Land, Water Quality Assessment, Air Quality – Dust Monitoring.
Understanding Groundwater
This Fact Sheet will help members of the public in understanding groundwater, as well as the processes involved in groundwater assessments and monitoring programs undertaken as part of environmental impact assessments in NSW. It also looks at the regulation and management of groundwater through national and state frameworks, and enforcement and penalty provisions.
The Fact Sheet will be useful for people wishing to monitor the possible impacts of development on groundwater, and developers wishing to understand the nature of groundwater and the possible impacts of a proposed development. It will also be useful to anyone involved in rehabilitation of areas in which ground water has been adversely impacted or affected by the regulation of groundwater management.
Other Fact Sheets you may find useful: Air, Water and Noise Pollution, Mining, Coal Seam Gas
Water Quality Assessment
The Fact Sheet will help people to determine the adequacy of water quality assessments and monitoring programs undertaken as part of environmental impact assessments. It examines the science behind various types of water pollution, and the likely ecological and biological impacts. The professional standards for water quality are identified and a glossary of terms is included.
This Fact Sheet will be useful for people who are concerned about the impact of proposed developments on water quality, and people who want to be able to evaluate the adequacy of water test results or initiate water quality testing themselves.
Other Fact Sheets you may find useful: Air, Water and Noise Pollution, Air Quality – Dust Monitoring, Water Management
