Water

​​​​​​​​​​​​Tasmania is an island State with abundant marine and freshwater resources used by a wide variety of industries and the community, so water quality that is safe and meets environmental requirements is a critical concern of the EPA. The EPA’s aim is to achieve sustainable development and management of water quality by implementing EMPCA and the State Policy on Water Quality Management 1997.

This section provides information on principal water policy and related strategies and guidelines for protecting or enhancing water quality and sustainably managing Tasmania's surface and groundwater resources.​

  • Water Topics
    Information on a range of topics relating to water quality, water issues and the aquatic environment.
  • Water Quality Legislation
    The overarching and legislative framework for managing water quality in Tasmania.
  • Water Quality Objectives for Tasmania
    Water Quality Objectives for Tasmania
  • Water Quality Guideline Values for Tasmanian Aquatic Ecosystems
    Default water guideline values for aquatic ecosystems have been developed by the EPA in accordance with the National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS).
  • PEVs for Tasmanian Surface Waters
    Under the State Policy on Water Quality Management (1997) protected environmental values (PEVs) have been set for freshwater and estuarine surface waters. Regional PEVs for coastal waters (except for several site specific areas) and groundwater have not yet been set.
  • Monitoring Programs
    Water quality monitoring is undertaken by the water section under a range of programs
  • Stormwater
    Information on stormwater management including the State Stormwater Strategy 2010, guidelines for water sensitive urban design and guidelines for sediment and erosion control.
  • Slipways
    Potential environmental impacts of boat repair and maintenance activities, and recommended actions that boat owners, facility operators and users can take to minimise the environmental effects of their work.
  • Boat Sewage Management
    Information on practical measures and rules to minimise the health and environmental effects of boat sewage discharge including sewage discharge maps for Tasmanian waters.
  • River Remediation Programs
    The Tasmanian EPA coordinates major remediation programs which aim to reduce pollution and improve river health in certain areas of the State.
  • Water Quality Data Elements
    Information relating to water quality data elements and metadata used by the EPA to manage water quality data. If you are required to submit water quality data to the EPA, please consider the following.