Setting water quality objectives to protect environmental assets: why it is difficult to measure changes?

Abstract

Formulating plans and strategies to protect environmental assets of fresh, estuarine and marine waters require setting of appropriate water quality objectives. Each environmental asset requires a certain level of water quality to be maintained. The focus of water quality objectives recently adopted in Australia has been shifted from maintaining drinking water quality to ecosystem protection. Based on environmental assets identified in the Douglas Shire waters and their associated water quality objectives, this paper discusses difficulties in establishing causality between intervention strategies and expected water quality improvements at the community and stakeholders’ level.