Water Quality Monitoring Framework

The NSW Water Quality Monitoring Framework (the Framework) has been developed to improve the organisation, discoverability and sharing of water quality monitoring data for NSW rivers and streams.

Water quality sampling

About the Water Quality Monitoring Framework

The Framework has grouped together data and metadata for water quality monitoring programs in NSW on SEED. To explore datasets and programs, launch the web map viewer or visit the SEED portal. 

Water quality map screen grab

 A web application designed to display water quality programs with available data or metadata within NSW.

Close up of water rushing over rocks in Never Never River, Bellingen

This group contains data assets for programs related to monitoring surface water quality in NSW. Included are a combination of government, local council and other agency-run programs.

Swamp read screen grab indicative

Visualise water quality conditions across NSW rivers and estuaries. This dashboard enables users to explore monitoring data collected through field sampling, identify trends, and compare water quality over time and across regions.

What the Framework provides

The Framework provides:

  • guidance and governance for the organisation and sharing of state government water quality data (including the two key monitoring programs) 
  • direction on standards to follow in water quality monitoring data collection, management and transfer
  • strategic direction on use of water quality monitoring data by state government agencies to report long-term trends in water quality, respond to water quality incidents and provide data to the public through digital platforms.  

Read about the Framework in more detail below:

NSW Water Quality Dashboards and Reports

River water quality

Algal alerts map screengrab

Algal alerts map displays all current alerts collated by the Regional Algal Co-ordinating Committees (RACCs) across NSW.
 

Darling Baaka alerts map screen grab

Access to real-time water quality data in the project area.
 

Real time water map screen grab

Provides continuous water monitoring network data. This portal pre-dates WaterNSW WaterInsights and remains an alternative platform for discovering and accessing surface water and groundwater information.
 

BOM water data map snippet

Access nationally consistent water monitoring data, including river levels and flows, with tools to view, analyse and download historical records from sites across Australia.
 

Water watch map screen grab

A national citizen science program that aims to engage communities in monitoring the health of local waterways. Data from Waterwatch can be found from this portal.
 

Water insights map snippet

Provides an interactive view of how water is managed across NSW, including storage levels, river flows, water availability, allocations, usage and trading, with access to real-time and historical data. 
 

Estuary and beach water quality

Beach watch map screen shot

Monitoring water quality for swimming in NSW. Find a monitored swim site by name, suburb, location or region from this portal.

Estuary reports map screen shot

Providing real-time environmental data for oyster farmers.
 

Hawkesbury monitoring map screen shot

Access to real-time data along the Lower Hawkesbury estuary, between Wisemans Ferry and Broken Bay. Parameters measured: water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a and turbidity.
 

Aerial view of Arrawarra estuary

Provides water quality report cards for over 170 estuaries as part of NSW DCCEEW Science water quality monitoring program. 
 

Local government monitoring

Byron waste water map screen shot

View surface water quality data from the Belongil and Tallows Catchments.
 

Camden water watch map screen shot

Explore Nepean River recreational water quality reports.
 

Hawkesbury open data map screen shot

Links to real-time and manual sampling data in the Hawkesbury LGA. 
 

Hornsby water data map screen shot

Explore local creeks and estuary grades, with links to Hornsby Shire Council Water Quality Dashboards and reports.
 

Shoalhaven water data map screen shot

Explore Shoalhaven City Council Water Quality Dashboard. 
 

Data discovery tools

Enviro data map bush fire image

Explore a range of available environmental dashboards and data visualisations on SEED.
 

Map snippet

An interactive map-based tool to discover data across coastal NSW including water quality, rainfall, waves, tides and water level.
 

Natural hazards map screen shot

Explore and discuss natural hazards science data. Includes an interactive map to discover environmental conditions and hazard information.
 

River from ground level showing river stones

Water related data for NSW. Features portals and mapping tools to support decision making.
 

NSw gov data map screen shot

A web app designed to make modelling and monitoring information in the state of NSW discoverable. Locations of data available are shown on the interactive map.
 

Seed water hub screen grab

Explore and discuss water data. Includes an interactive map to explore water-related spatial data information across NSW.