Transport Services Division
ENVIRONMENT
Standards & Guidelines
Transport Services Division Water Quality Monitoring Manual for Construction Sites
Level One Water Quality Monitoring
Objective
To ensure that sediment is not entering the
aquatic environment and that remedial actions
are undertaken, where necessary, to prevent
pollution of waterways.
Any sediment discharges to the aquatic
environment should be noted on the datasheet
and immediately reported to the site manager.
Remedial action must then be taken. If
discharges are likely to continue, monitoring
may need to be increased to Level Two.
Components of Monitoring
Level One monitoring consists of:
 Visually checking the site soil erosion and
drainage management measures and
potential discharge point(s) for sediment
discharges,
 Photographic records at the potential
discharge point(s), and
 Reporting results.
Monitoring Records
The following information should be recorded:
Site Description
 A basic description of the site.
 A map of the site showing drainage lines,
receiving waters, location of erosion &
sediment control measures, vegetated or
environmentally sensitive areas, work
site/depot or the extent of the general
works. Should also include site
characteristics such as slope.
Climatic data
A record of daily weather conditions including
maximum temperature and rainfall in the 24
hours prior to inspection. (Can be sourced from
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the nearest Bureau of Meteorology measuring
station).
Photographic Records
The location of the photo points, time & date
taken.
Sediment trapping facilities
Location and inspection frequency.
A record of the percentage of sediment
trapping capacity remaining and a record of the
amount of sediment removed from sediment
traps when they are cleaned or removed.
Photo Points
Establishment
Appropriate photo points should be established,
with the aim of providing visual evidence of the
state of the discharge points and receiving
environment, before and after any discharges
from the site.
Photo points provide a visual record of a
monitoring site and can support the
observational records.
Monitoring
Photos are to be taken before, during and after
the infrastructure works, with the need for
photos dependant on the level of monitoring
required. Generally the higher the
environmental risk, the more frequent the
photos.
Sampling Locations
Level One monitoring observations should be
undertaken at the following locations:
 site soil erosion and drainage management
measures
 drainage discharge points & receiving
waters.
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Transport Services Division Water Quality Monitoring Manual for Construction Sites
Level One Water Quality Monitoring
During the construction phase, monitoring
Sampling Frequency
results are to be included in a weekly report.
Frequency of sampling will be based upon:
The report should document the performance
 Season
of the site management measures, whether or
not discharge(s) were found and action(s)
 Rainfall events
taken to improve management measures and
 Perceived risk of discharge, environmental
prevent discharges.
value of the area.
The greater the risk or environmental value of
the area, the more often it will be necessary to
Staff Expertise
monitor.
Level One monitoring may be undertaken by
Task
Frequency
staff with good observational skills, the ability to
Visual check of soil erosion &
W, RE
reliably record and report site conditions.
drainage management measures,
record amount of sediment removed
from traps.
Check potential discharge point(s) for
sediment discharges,.
Take photos at photo point(s)
W, RE
W, RE
W = Weekly
RE = during or following a rainfall event
Data Storage & Retrieval
Basic information describing the site is to be
recorded on the Water Quality Monitoring Data
Sheet (attached).
Level One data analysis includes:
 Records of the effectiveness of soil erosion
and drainage management measures and
any remedial actions taken.
 Visual monitoring of site drainage points for
evidence of sediment in run-off areas and
watercourses.
Data should be stored on a database or in a
secure filing system for weekly site reports.
Visual inspection of site soil erosion & drainage
management measures
Increasing Monitoring Level
In the event that a sediment-laden discharge
into the aquatic environment occurs,
consideration should be given to increasing the
monitoring to Level Two.
Reporting & Results
The following information should be
documented throughout the life of a project:
 Monitoring Plan – description of the
objectives of the program, results of the risk
analysis assessment and reason for
selection of level of monitoring.
 Monitoring Implementation Reports –
regular (weekly) reporting of the water
quality monitoring, site management and
the implementation of the soil erosion and
drainage management plan.
 Project Review Report – on completion of
the project, a review of the effectiveness of
the monitoring program for feedback into
future projects.
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Visual inspection of site soil erosion
Visual Inspection of a discharge point
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Transport Services Division Water Quality Monitoring Manual for Construction Sites
Level One Water Quality Monitoring
LEVEL ONE MONITORING
DATA RECORDING AND REPORTING SHEET
DPTI Project Name:
________________
Road Number:
________________
Week Start Date ______________
Sampling Site Code:__________________
SEDMP Measure Performance Summary Table
Date:
Time:
Temperature
Rainfall (mm)
Photo taken
(Yes / No)
Photo Label
% Sediment
Trapping
Remaining
Nature of Site Activities: (eg earthworks, laying pavement etc)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Discharge from site observed?
YES
NO
If discharge observed:
Date and time of observation _________________________________
Action Taken: _________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Name of Sampler:
______________________________________________
Signature:
______________________________________________
Forward copy of completed sheet to Site Manager and DPTI Contract Manager
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Principal Environment Officer
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Transport Services Division Water Quality Monitoring Manual for Construction Sites
Level One Water Quality Monitoring
Sampling Site Description Data Sheet
(to be completed for each sampling site)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION.
Project Name:
_________________________________________ Project Number: ________
Road Number:
__________
SITE DESCRIPTION (include sketch overleaf)
Sampling Site Name / Code: _____________________________________________________
Chainage: _____________________
Location Name (river and site location):
Maintenance Marker:
Nearest Named Place:
___________
___________
Map sheet Name: ___________________________ Map sheet no and scale: ___________
AMG Zone:
__________________
Easting: __________________
Latitude:
Northing:
__________________
_________________
Longitude:
_________________
SITE ACCESS
Access by


Conventional Car
4WD
Keys required

Key Number
Landholder to be notified



Foot
Boat
_____________
Landholder Contact Details:
________________________
________________________
Landmarks for finding site: _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
PARAMETERS
Monitoring Level for Site: ___________
Parameters to be recorded:
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 Photo Point
 Colour Chart
 % Sediment Trapping
Capacity Remaining
 Field Turbidity
 Water Level
 Suspended Solids
 Automatic Recorder
 Biological
 Stream flow
 Other ___________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
1791974
2
Feb 2012
Principal Environment Officer
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Transport Services Division Water Quality Monitoring Manual for Construction Sites
Level One Water Quality Monitoring
Sampling Site Location Sketch:
DPTI Project Name:
______________
Sampling Site Code:
______________
(Show site location, stream boundaries, vegetation, physical features, points of sampling, photo points, water
levels taken, automated sampling devices etc.).
North
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Doc. Owner:
1791974
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Principal Environment Officer
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