Primary industries – Irrigation guidelines (draft)

Publication details (Draft for public comment)

Australian and New Zealand Governments, and Australian state and territory governments, 2024.

Provides guidance and default guideline values applicable for the assessment of surface water and groundwater quality for irrigation water in Australia and New Zealand. Includes guidance on biological parameters, salinity and sodicity, inorganic contaminants (specific ions, including heavy metals and nutrients), organic contaminants (pesticides) and radiological characteristics of irrigation water.

These guidelines are a revision of the guidance contained in the ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidance for irrigation water, which should be referred to until the updated guidance has been published. Future revisions of these guidelines will include guidance on emerging contaminants such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

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Submit a response on the draft

Provide feedback on the draft during its 3-month public comment period by sending us a completed submission on the draft by the closing date of 12 April 2024.