Water levels across NSW are diminishing and primary producers are being encouraged to have their water tested to determine its suitability for agricultural and domestic use.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Environmental Laboratory at Wollongbar Institute offers NATA Accredited water testing service.
DPI’s Coordinator Analytical Services, Sarah Morison said during drought conditions, reduced water flow and low volume can have an impact on water quality for stock, domestic, irrigation and other agricultural applications.
“Salinity, nutrient levels and turbidity can increase due to reduced dilution and flushing,” Ms Morison said.
“By contrast nutrients and turbidity can also decrease due to the reduction of runoff from point sources across the catchment into the creeks, dams and rivers.
“Drought breaking rain will mobilise constituents such as major ions, nutrients and carbon.
“Water quality assessments during and after drought conditions are important to ensure the water is safe for its intended use.”
Knowing your water quality allows you to plan for water treatments to avoid problems caused by poor water quality.
It is important to identify and correct water quality problems that may affect on-farm use and productivity.
The laboratory provides water sampling kits to simplify the sampling and submission process.
Samples are returned to the laboratory by either reply paid post or prepaid freight.
To find out more about the tests available, obtaining sampling kits and submitting your sample, go to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au water testing, phone 02 66261103 or email wollongbar.csu@dpi.nsw.gov.au
