LATEST SOUTH WEST QLD WATER STATISTICS NOW ON LINE

Water Minister Craig Wallace today announced that up-to-the-hour water monitoring information is now available to South West Queenslanders via the internet.

Minister Wallace said the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s (NRW) website had been upgraded to allow public access to latest statistics on water monitoring.

The department operates a statewide monitoring network of approximately 400 monitoring stations to collect, manage and deliver data on the quantity and quality of freshwater in Queensland’s streams and aquifers.

“The data from most of these stations can be remotely accessed via telemetry systems and includes stream height, flow and water quality information.

“For example, the Condamine River shows 50 megalitres passed the stream gauging station at Loudouns Bridge over a 24 hour period on January 15, 2008. However, more than 6000 megalitres passed the same gauging station on January 12, 2008.

“Users can search by region, catchment, stream or water resource plan.

“Local governments, regional management bodies, agricultural groups, service providers and the public have been seeking greater access to water monitoring data,” Mr Wallace said.

“This new on-line service delivers on this request.”

The data can be found at www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water/monitoring/current_data.

Media enquiries: Clare Gillic 3896 3688.