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
hazard requires a process (event) to create a risk to the water quality of the river (eg rainfall event,
pump discharge, accidental spillage). The event releases a potential water quality contaminant (stressor)
that could affect environmental values (eg nutrients, heavy metals). The stressors considered in the
current study are shown in Table 1.1 along with their potential effects on aquatic ecosystem, raw water
supply and recreational environmental values. Water quality risks were identified and categorised as very
high, high, moderate or low, based on the likelihood of the event and consequences (on environmental
values) that might flow from it. Some assessments were based on detailed knowledge and others on
limited knowledge, so the certainty associated with each assessed risk was documented to indicate the
reliability of the results and need for additional information.
The information collected in this report is not necessarily a complete set of hazards that pose a risk to
water quality. The River Murray and Lower Lakes catchment risk assessment for water quality project
was designed to be a ‘living database’, and risks will be added, deleted or modified as further
information becomes available.
Figure 1.1 Map showing LAP areas along the River Murray, Lower Lakes and Coorong
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