Victoria's water environments
Victoria's water environments are diverse and are among Victoria's most valuable assets. Our unique rivers, wetlands, estuaries and coasts are home to millions of creatures, from tiny plankton to fish, dolphins, birds and whales, including animals that migrate to Victoria each year from across the globe.
Healthy water is essential to sustain the many demands that we, as a community, place on our water environments. Without healthy water we would not be able to drink or grow agricultural products or undertake many of the other essential activities that support our wellbeing and economy. Water environments are also of great environmental and cultural value to all Victorians, especially aboriginal and rural communities, which often see our water environments as the lifeblood of their communities.
Essentially, we need to protect water environments as they protect and sustain us, our way of living and our future. This is not something that can be achieved by one organisation or a few individuals alone. We all impact on water environments through everyday activities so we must all work together to better manage our actions and reduce our impacts.
What you can do
There are many ways we can reduce our impact on the water environment; this page provides handy tips.
More about what you can do to help protect the water environment
Environment and Resource Efficiency Plans (EREP)
From 1 January 2008 all commercial and industrial sites that use more than 100 TJ of energy and/or 120 ML of water in a financial year need to prepare a plan that identifies actions to reduce energy and water use and waste generation. Each site that exceeds one or more thresholds must register with EPA, prepare a plan, implement actions with a payback period of three year or less, and report on their performance annually.
Threats to Victoria's water environment
Human use of Victoria's land and water resources has affected the health of our water environments to an extent that threatens the very features that make them so attractive and valuable. This page provides information about the most serious threats to the water environment.
Information for industry
EPA encourages industry to take responsibility for improving its environmental performance, by using tools such as environmental management systems, environment improvement plans, environmental guidelines and cleaner production.
Monitoring Victoria's waters
Victoria's water environment is monitored in a variety of ways by a range of organisations. This page provides an overview of the monitoring programs that exist in Victoria.
How EPA protects the water environment
EPA helps to protect Victoria's water environments through mechanisms including environmental laws, policies and regulatory controls, and by working in partnership with Victorian communities, including businesses, government, individuals and groups.
Bays, coasts and oceans
EPA is involved in programs aimed at understanding and protecting our bays, coasts and oceans, including Beach Report.
Bays, coasts and oceans - ballast water
To protect Victoria's environment from marine pests introduced via domestic ballast water, the Victorian Government established management arrangements that apply to all ships entering the State's waters.
Catchments
Healthy catchments create a healthy water environment, and poor catchment environments have a direct impact on the health of our water environments.
Estuaries
Estuaries are where rivers meet the sea. EPA has monitored Victoria's estuaries and undertaken a study of estuary water quality and biology.
Rainwater use
Using rainwater in and around your home is an easy and effective way to conserve Victoria's precious water supplies and reduce the amount of mains water you use.
Rivers and streams
This section contains Information about EPA methods to help protect and monitor Victoria's rivers and streams, including specific information about the Maribyrnong and Yarra Rivers.
Yarra Watch
Yarra Watch is an EPA Victoria program providing recreational water quality monitoring information for the Yarra River. This section is updated weekly and when heavy rain or pollution incidents are expected to significantly affect water quality in the Yarra.
Stormwater
Stormwater is water from rain or runoff that enters the drainage system. Stormwater carries with it sediment, oil, hydrocarbons and leaves, which are a major cause of pollution in our rivers, creeks, lakes and bays. Reducing pollution and protecting the quality of our stormwater drains is everyone's business.
Wastewater
Although major improvements in the control of wastewater have already taken place, there are still cases where the impacts of discharges need to be minimised. This section provides information about EPA's wastewater program (including guidance for industry and water authorities) and onsite wastewater treatment systems.
Water reuse
EPA supports water conservation methods and believes in the safe and sustainable water reuse. This section has information about greywater reuse, using tankers to supply reclaimed water for drought relief and a discussion paper on how Victorians can make use of alternative water supplies.
Neighbourhood environment improvement plans
A neighbourhood environment improvement plan (NEIP) is a plan developed by a local community to address environmental issues in their neighbourhood. See the NEIPs that have a water focus.
Response to fish deaths in Victorian waterways
The deaths of large numbers of fish are reported in Victorian waterways from time to time. The Waterway Incident (Fish Death) Response Guidelines provide the roles and responsibilities for responding to fish deaths by water management and environment agencies.
More about the roles and responsibilities for responding to fish deaths
Yarra Watch
Yarra Watch is an EPA Victoria program providing recreational water quality monitoring information for the Yarra River. More »
Resources
Get information about water programs, legislation and publications: