Water for the Future

Water quality

National Water Quality Management Strategy

Murray River at the Gulf. Photo John Baker

Murray River at the Gulf.

Photo John Baker

The National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) has been jointly developed since 1992 by the Australian Government in cooperation with state and territory governments, currently under the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council. Other ministerial councils have also been involved for some issues. The NWQMS is part of the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) Water Reform Framework and is acknowledged in the National Water Initiative.

The NWQMS has three major elements: policies, process and guidelines.

Policies

The main policy objective of the NWQMS is to achieve sustainable use of the nation's water resources by protecting and enhancing their quality while maintaining economic and social development.

Process

The NWQMS process involves community and government development and implementation of a management plan for each catchment, aquifer, estuary, coastal water or other waterbody. This includes use of high-status national guidelines with local implementation.

National guidelines

There are currently 21 NWQMS guidelines for managing key elements of the water cycle.

The NWQMS guidelines cover:

See also

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