Groundwater system management is an important natural resource issue which underpins the socio-economic sustainability of many regions. Groundwater in the Namoi catchment supports an irrigation industry worth in excess of $380 million as well as being the water supply for many towns and intensive industries such as feedlots.

Monitoring and understanding the status of groundwater levels and groundwater salinity is central to managing this valuable resource. To better understand this the Cotton CRC and Namoi CMA have commissioned a new project which aims to; Establish a framework for benchmarking current groundwater quality and quantity in the Namoi catchment.

Wendy Timms from the UNSW Water Research Lab said groundwater quality has been found to be a significant issue in some parts of the Namoi Catchment.

“Operating a groundwater bore without monitoring groundwater level and groundwater quality is “like running a car without a fuel gauge or a dip stick”, said Dr Timms. 

During July groundwater users are being encouraging (irrigators and stock & domestic) to collect a water sample from their bore for a FREE partial analysis[1].  Sampling bottles can be collected from Namoi Water, NSW Farmers, the Cotton CRC and the Namoi CMA. Analysis is being offered free for the first 200 samples received provided that these are:

• collected between 1^st and 30^th July, 2009
• accompanied by a completed sample information form 
• one sample per property (preferably from the most frequently used bore)

By combining this information with monitoring by the Namoi CMA and the Department of Water and Energy (DWE), Dr Timms and her team will draw an understanding of how groundwater condition varies over time and across the Namoi. Also they will be able to produce groundwater maps and establish a framework for benchmarking groundwater quantity and quality. 

“We chose July to sample as groundwater systems in the Namoi are generally most stable then, giving us the most accurate readings The water quality parameters which will be tested include Salinity (electrical conductivity, EC), pH, chloride, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulphate and bicarbonate alkalinity”, said Dr Timms

“These results will be used to calculate indicators of importance to irrigation usage (total dissolved salts, sodium adsorption ratio and hardness). Participants will receive sample results in September, with a 2 page report providing comments on the suitability of groundwater for irrigation purposes”.

For more information please contact Wendy Timms or Duncan Rayner 02 9949 4488 d.rayner@unsw.edu.au