Information
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Areas inspected
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Buisness
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Department
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Review Period
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Manager
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Conducted on
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Prepared by
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Inspection team
Scope and/or intent of the standard
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This standard is applicable to all business units and managed operations; and all phases of their lifecycle from exploration through post closure. It covers air emissions from all sources including point sources such as stacks, and diffuse air emissions sources such as dust from stockpiles and tail-pipe emissions.
Control requirements
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Specific management requirements in this performance standard apply in addition to any
general requirements defined in the management system standard.
Other relevant documents:
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• Management system standard
• Water Strategy
• Chemically reactive mineral waste control standard and guidance note
• Hazardous materials and non-mineral waste control and minimization standard and guidance note
• Land disturbance control and rehabilitation standard and guidance note
• Closure guideline
• Annual Social and Environment (S&E) survey guideline
• Management of pit slopes, stockpiles, spoil and waste dumps (surface mining standard) and related guidance
E11 - Water quality protection and water management
2. Planning
Clause number 2.1
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The level of effort required to meet subsequent clauses in this standard is determined by materiality thresholds, described in guidance to this standard.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause
The purpose of this clause is to define a level of risk for water impacts that the business has determined to be as low as reasonably practical (ALARP). Refer to the Materiality Thresholds for Water Quality Protection and Water Use Minimization to determine whether or not a business is classified as “above threshold” or “below threshold” and evaluate accordingly. -
Evaluation steps
[O] Conduct an orientation tour of the business and surrounding area with the intent of gaining a basic understanding of the operation to obtain an overview of material water flow.
[D] Obtain and review a copy of the operation’s process flow diagrams.
[I] Ask the designated representative from the business whether or not the business is above or below threshold per the Materiality Thresholds for this standard.
[I] Ask the designated representative from the business about current practice for identifying, characterizing and evaluating water impacts.
[D] Ask to see the established risk identification and management process for identifying risks related to water quality protection and water management. Ask what the qualifications are of the individuals participating in the risk assessment.
[D] Review the operations environmental risk register, for water related risks. Risks classified as Level III or greater require additional follow up such as a review of risk mitigation plans with assigned accountable parties and evidence of risk reduction progress tracking. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.2
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Develop and maintain a site water balance that is appropriate to the site’s water related impacts and risks, and that considers both present and future water management. Where there is significant water quality impact or risk, a solute balance for key contaminants of concern must also be included.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
This clause is about understanding and maintaining an inventory of water inflows and outflows. -
Evaluation steps
D] Obtain and review any written procedures for developing a water balance.
[D] Obtain a copy of the most recent water balance, if there is significant water quality impact or risk also obtain a copy of the most recent solute balance. For “above threshold sites” the water discharge inventory should include a the physical characteristics of all significant discharge sources from operations. The physical characterisation of all discharge sources should include information about the parameters of the discharge point.
[I] For operations that must complete a solute balance ask how key contaminants of concern are determined. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.3
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Identify and characterise the surface and subsurface water resources which could impact or be impacted by the operation including cumulative demands within the catchment. Characterisation should include an assessment of quality and quantity, the requirements of water-dependent environments, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
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Evaluation steps
[D] Obtain and review documentation characterising surface and subsurface water resources which could impact or be impacted by the operation. For “above threshold” operations, obtain and review a copy of the operation’s catchment map.
[I] Ask about how the assessment of cumulative demands was undertaken. For “above threshold” operations cumulative demands should include an evaluation of external influences such as climate change, legislation and changing demands from communities as well as chronic and acute impacts.
[I] Ask how stakeholders within the catchment(s) were identified -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.4
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Characterise and predict current and future impacts associated with water withdrawal, use or discharge. Document known past and current impacts and predict future impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services for impacted water resources.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
This clause is about planning for the future. -
Evaluation steps
[D] Review documentation demonstrating background water quality and climate characteristics. For “below threshold” operations data collected by government agencies will be sufficient if representative of the region. Note, for very remote regions with few industrial water discharge sources, this may not be required.
[I] Ask about practices for characterising and predicating current and future impacts associated with water withdrawal, use or discharge
[I] If the operation is relying on established monitoring sites, ask how adequacy is determined. -
Repeat Finding
2. Implementation and operation
Clause number 2.5
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Consider and document water use and water risks and impacts during management of change, including opportunities to avoid or reduce impact, prior to implementing a change.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
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Evaluation steps
[D] Obtain and review the operation’s management of change procedures; verify that it includes evaluation of impacts to water quality protection and management.
[I] Ask how water use and water risks and impacts are evaluated during management of change.
[D] Review a sample of outputs from the operation’s management of change process. For “above threshold” operation’s specific consideration should be given as to how impacts can be mitigated; impacts and alternatives should be clearly documented. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.6
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Consider and document water risks and impacts as a part of the technical and financial evaluation of capital projects.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
This clause is about ensuring that water is considered as part of the business approval process. -
Evaluation steps
[I] Ask how the operation considers water risks and impacts as part of the evaluation of capital projects.
[D] Obtain and review a sample of the operation’s capital project evaluation documentation and determine whether there has been a specific assessment of water impacts. For operations “below threshold” a rapid assessment of water risks and impacts can be done during TEG/BED reviews. For “above threshold” operations TEG/BED reports should address water discharge risks to a level commensurate with the expected impact. -
Repeat Finding
2. Monitoring
Clause number 2.7
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Implement a water monitoring programme to ensure that the system is behaving as predicted and performance criteria are being met.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
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Evaluation steps
[D] Obtain and review documentation of the operation’s water monitoring program.
[I] Ask the operation the basis for the water monitoring program and related performance criteria.
[D]Evaluate if water monitoring performance criteria are being met.
[I] Ask whether the operation is required by regulation to undertake water discharge measurements.
[D] If the operation is required to undertake discharge measurements review documentation to determine compliance.
[D] If the water monitoring program utilizes monitoring stations, review calibration documentation. -
Repeat Finding
Summary of actions
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Are actions required to be raised?
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Action number and description
Inspection action
Sign offs
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Area owner representative
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Environmental representative / Auditor
Summary
