DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Mine Site Water Quality Monitoring Michael Welch – Mining Evaluations Team

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Topics Monitoring program design Sampling techniques Data submission Reporting

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Monitoring Program Design Types of sampling programs –Surface water –Ground water –Stream sediments –Biological Site Selection –Should include: 1.Potential sources of poor quality water (e.g. retention ponds, sumps, seepage) 2.Upstream non-impacted sites (reference/control) 3.Downstream potential impact sites –Accessibility & safety –Not limited to on-lease

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Sampling frequency –Based on time of year & risk of downstream impact (e.g. only sample flowing streams, more frequently if discharging) Choice of sample analytes –Based on likely contaminants (e.g. metals, sulfate, nutrients, TSS) Quality control –Sample blanks, duplicates etc –Sample laboratory should be accredited (e.g. NATA) –Chain of custody documentation –Regular calibration of field instruments

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Sampling techniques Importance of sample hygiene –High risk of contamination during sampling –Contamination sources: Smokers, sun cream, beauty products, sweat, dust etc, etc. –Gloves essential Collecting a ‘representative’ sample –Surface water e.g. areas of flow vs back eddy –Ground water e.g. appropriate purge times –Appropriate preservation (e.g. acidification, refrigeration) –Minimal storage time between collection & analysis See online advisory notes

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Data Submission Submission frequency –Quarterly Data format –MS Excel spreadsheets in format suitable for database import –Minimum information: Date Site name Site type (e.g. surface, ground water) Parameter Units Sample fraction (i.e. filtered or total) Field observations (e.g. flow, odours etc)

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Reporting Required as part of MMP and/or WMP Should include: –Clear presentation of data (e.g. graphs and tables) –Comparisons of data with appropriate trigger levels (e.g. ANZECC and/or site-specific trigger values) –Identification and interpretation of trends and issues –Details of actions taken or planned to address issues –Summary data (e.g. as table in Appendix)

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Site ASite B

DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND RESOURCES Questions?