Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:1:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 2013468–2016742

1                   Introduction

1.1              Background
This Schedule provides a framework for the risk-based assessment of groundwater that has been affected, or may have been affected, by site contamination. The general process outlined for the assessment of contaminated groundwater is compatible with the policy framework (outlined in the Measure) and the site assessment process shown in Schedule A. The aim of this process is to minimise the risk of adverse human health and environmental impacts arising from contaminated groundwater and to ensure that the quality of groundwater is appropriate for its environmental values.

The framework is applicable to the assessment of groundwater quality arising from point-source contamination (for example, leaks from fuel storage depots, sheep and cattle dips). This Schedule is not intended to address all aspects of the management of groundwater quality, or to replace the regulatory requirements of individual jurisdictions for the assessment and management of groundwater contamination. Nor is it generally applicable to other broadscale groundwater issues associated with agriculture, catchment management or salinity. These resource management issues are administered by jurisdictions through various regulatory processes.

This framework is intended to be used in conjunction with Schedule B2, which includes guidance on related matters such as groundwater monitoring, the characterisation of groundwater contamination and the application of contaminant fate and transport modelling.

Detailed groundwater investigations should only be undertaken by appropriately qualified and experienced groundwater professionals. Their advice should be sought early in the assessment process to avoid remobilisation of assessment personnel and associated additional costs.

1.2              Relationship with other national guidelines
The framework recognises nationally developed approaches, policies and water quality criteria developed to protect groundwater, surface water and sources of public drinking water supply. This includes guidelines developed under the National Water Quality Management Strategy to protect marine and freshwater quality (ANZECC & ARMCANZ 2000) and for managing risks in recreational waters (NHMRC 2008) and, in addition, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC & NRMMC 2011).
The framework for risk-based assessment of groundwater applies these national guidelines to the specific issue of assessing the quality of groundwater impacted by site contamination.

1.3              Definition of contaminated groundwater
In the context of a contaminated site assessment, groundwater is considered to be contaminated when its quality is such that it is not suitable for the current or realistic future use or presents the likelihood of causing an unacceptable environmental or human health impact in the discharge environment. This differs from the National Water Quality Management Strategy definition in the Guidelines for groundwater protection in Australia (ARMCANZ & ANZECC 1995). The latter considers groundwater to be contaminated whenever there is a change in water quality that produces a noticeable or detectable change in its characteristics. Therefore, if a change in groundwater