Water Quality

Water quality and sediment management, in and around ports, are crucial for environmental sustainability, human health, and the health of marine ecosystems.

A healthy marine environment with good quality water  is vital to sustaining fish, mammal and plant life.

GPC conducts water quality monitoring and supports ballast water management. These early warning systems notify us of any change in water quality associated with our activities. This is important because changes in the environment can have an impact on their health. 

Water quality monitoring

Water quality monitoring has been part of our environment program since the 1990s.

For example, we monitor stormwater discharges from operational sites and dredging  activities. Ambient harbour quality is monitored through the Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program (PCIMP), of which GPC is a member.

How we monitor water quality 

We use two methods of collection, manual and real-time sampling.  

Manual sampling involves the collection of physical water by grab samples. These samples are sent to an accredited third-party laboratory for analysis, which typically includes metals, nutrients, hydrocarbons and other contaminants if required. 

Real-time sampling involves the use of a multi-parameter sonde that records physicochemical data including turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen and temperature. Collected real-time monitoring data can be viewed to identify trends and allow for proactive management.  

Ballast water management 

Ships are required to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments. 

Shipboard ballast water management systems must be approved by national authorities, according to a process developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). For details, visit the IMO’s ballast water management page. 

For more information

For more information about our water quality monitoring, please contact our Environment Team on email or call 07 4976 1333. 

For more about GPC biosecurity procedures and measures, like ballast water management, visit our Biosecurity page.