2 Renmark to border LAP area assessment - EPA - Sa.gov.au

River Murray and Lower Lakes catchment risk assessment for water quality: Results and management options
Risks to recreational use
Figure 4.5 is the key map for risks to recreational environmental value in the RW LAP area. The attached
CD has individual maps numbered according to the key map.
Frequencies of identified risks to recreational use for the various water quality parameters are
summarised in Table 4.5. The highest frequency of risks was for nutrients, followed by pathogens,
turbidity and hydrocarbons. All risks were assessed as low (162) or moderate (62).
Table 4.5 Frequency of risks to recreational use, RW LAP area
Stressor
Risk PA NU TU HY Total
Low 25 58 41 38 162
Mod 43 14 4 1 62
High 0 0 0 0 0
V.high 0 0 0 0 0
Total 68 72 45 39 224
PA—pathogens; NU—nutrients; TU—turbidity; HY—hydrocarbons
The recreational risks identified in this LAP area are listed in Table 4.6 and discussed in more detail
below for each stressor.
Pathogens
Morgan and Blanchetown townships were assigned a moderate pathogen risk level due to a large number
of septic tanks in relatively close proximity to the river. There was some uncertainty to this assessment,
as no site-specific monitoring data was available. Septic tank systems in several other floodplain
locations were also assessed as a moderate pathogen risk (eg Blanchetown caravan park, Cadell shacks).
Several major shack areas such as Scott’s Creek, Brenda Park and Beaumont’s subdivision are connected
to STEDS and many septic tanks in other areas are in the process of being connected to STEDS.
Moderate pathogen risk levels were also assigned to river vessel waste disposal stations at Morgan and
Waikerie, accidental spillage from a permanent houseboat/restaurant, discharge from several vessel
mooring areas (eg Blanchetown, Morgan) and marinas (Griffen’s Marina and Koala Houseboats). The
incidence of deliberate blackwater discharge should be low in this LAP area given that there are three
river vessel waste disposal stations. The community had concerns for some permanently moored vessels.
Several informal camping areas with no sanitation facilities were assessed as a moderate risk but there
was some uncertainty associated with this ranking. It was difficult to precisely assess the scale of this
impact on water quality although the community has noted decreases in aesthetic value, particularly during
peak holiday periods (eg defecation along river bank at Ramco Point). There is also a higher likelihood of
primary contact recreation during these periods.
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