TAPP WATER TESTING REPORT SUMMARY for June to December 2025
Trigger values from Qld Govt Water Quality Guidelines, Dept of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. (see appendix for details)
Australian Government Initiative: Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality.
Bioindicators included in reports based on microscopic examination of sediment.
Sites latitude and longitude as per Google Maps
Rotary Park Duck Pond at water inflow site from industrial area June 18th vs July 27th vs Aug 24th vs Oct 5th vs Nov 23rd vs Nov 28th
Lat 26.7993120 Sth
Long 153.1146835 East
Water temp NA vs NA vs 18.5 vs 20.3 vs 25.8 vs 26.2 deg C
pH 7.5 vs 7.9 vs 7.0 vs 7.0 vs 9.7 vs 7.2
EC 355 vs 170 vs 307 vs 275 vs 55 128 uS/cm
TDS 252 vs 119 vs 218 vs 195 vs 39 vs 91 ppm
salinity 0.018% vs 0.008% vs 0.02% vs 0.014% vs 0.003% vs 0.006%
D.O. 89% vs 87% vs 79% vs 84% vs NA vs NA
ORP 320 vs 280 vs 237 vs 225 vs 292 vs 170 mV
KH Carbonate hardness 54 vs 36 vs 39 vs 71 vs 19 vs 46 ppm
GH General Hardness 90 vs 34 vs 51 vs 68 vs 50 vs 50 ppm
sulfate 30 vs <20 vs <20 vs <20 vs <20 vs <20 ppm
Chlorine 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs NA vs NA
Chloride NA vs 15 vs 90 vs 30 vs NA vs NA ppm
Nitrate (NH4) 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 ppm
Nitrite (N02) NA vs NA vs NA vs 0.04 vs 0 vs 0 ppm
Ammonia (NH3) NA vs NA vs NA vs 0.12 vs 0.5 vs 0.2 ppm
Phosphate 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0.14 vs 0 vs 0.1 ppm
Chromium (VI) 12 vs 21 vs NA vs 8 vs 26 vs 7 ppb
Iron 581 vs 546 vs 930 vs 253 vs 103 vs 74 ppb
lead 5 vs 0 vs NA vs NA vs NA vs NA ppb
Copper 0 vs 0 vs 56 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 ppb
Nickel NA vs NA vs NA vs 10 vs 0 vs 0 ppm
BIO-INDICATORS October 5th 2025 (indicate very poor water quality with reduced biodiversity)
Microscopy: November: occasional diatoms, no copepods, no ostracods, no protists, reduced population of phytoplankton and zooplankton
Previous microscopy:
Microfibers 100 – 200 per ml, Protists 10 – 20 per ml, Nematodes nil per ml,
Cryptomonads 10 – 50 per ml, No cyanobacteria, No dinoflagellates, Copepods 2 – 5 per ml, diatoms 100 – 200 per ml, Daphnia (water fleas) nil per ml, Ostracod 10 – 20 per ml, No cyanobacterium, no green algae (Closterium, Spirogyra)
Macroinvertabrate survey:
Shrimp x 1
Gastropods x 2
Taxa richness 2
Pollution index 3
Signal score 3
PET score 0
Shows possible heavy pollution based on macroinvertebrate score
Duckhole creek (drain alongside Pelican Waters Blvd) June 4th vs July 25th vs Aug 24 th vs Oct 12th vs Nov 28th
Lat 26.80797 Sth
Long 153.11478 East
Temp NA vs NA vs 18.2 deg C
pH 6.8 vs 7.35 vs 7.1 vs 7.4 vs 7.8
EC 234 vs 369 vs 128 vs 210 vs 148 uS/cm
TDS 177 vs 264 vs 91 vs 351 vs 106 ppm
salinity 0.014% vs 0.02% vs 0.01% vs 0.024% vs 0.007%
DO 73% vs 76.4% vs 49% vs 37% vs NA
KH Carbonate hardness 51 vs 69 vs 25 vs 180 vs 44 ppm
GH General Hardness (Calcium and Magnesium) 68 vs 85 vs 34 vs 170 vs 50 ppm
Sulfate <20 vs <20 vs <20 vs <20 <20 ppm
Chloride NA vs NA vs 50 vs 40 vs 30 ppm
Nitrate 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 ppm
Nitrite NA vs NA vs NA vs 0 vs 0 ppm
Ammonia NA vs NA vs NA vs 0.38 vs 0 ppm
Phosphate 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 005 vs 0 ppm
iron 843 vs 213 vs 500 vs 223 vs 47 ppb
Chromium (VI) 1 vs 21 vs NA vs 7 vs 30 ppb
lead 6-9 vs 0 – 5 vs NA vs NA vs NA ppb
Copper NA vs 19 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 ppb
Nickel NA vs NA vs NA vs 20 vs 0 ppm
BIO-INDICATORS Duckhole creek (drain alongside Pelican Waters Blvd) 12/10/25
Microinvertebrates: copepods 0 per ml , diatoms 100 per ml, Pleurosigma, pennate; green algae 100 per ml, cyanobacteria 0 per ml, cryptomonads 200 per ml, protists 20 per ml
Macroinvertebrate:
Shrimp x 1
TAXA richness 1, Pollution index 3, SIGNAL score 3, PET score 0
Macroinvertebrate score Shows moderate pollution
Pelican creek south of concrete barrier June 25th vs July 25th vs Aug 26th vs Oct 18th vs Dec 30th
Lat 26.8135953 south
Long 153.1071210 East
Water temp 24.5 deg C
pH 7.0 vs 7.1 vs 8.1 vs 6.8 vs 6.8
EC 15960 vs 15030 vs 2660 vs 2680 vs 895 uS/cm
TDS sea water vs sea water vs 1890 vs 1900 vs 639 ppm
Salinity 0.83% vs 0.75% vs 0.13% vs 0.13% vs 0.045%
D.O. 76% vs 81% vs 69% vs 59% vs NA
ORP 125 vs 290 vs 240 vs 120 vs 180 mV
KH Carbonate hardness 66 vs 74 vs 18 vs 49 vs 39 ppm
GH General Hardness (Calcium and Magnesium) 1,600 vs 1,500 vs 360 vs 230 vs 270 ppm
Sulfate > 100 vs >100 vs >100 vs >100 vs 40 ppm
Nitrate 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 ppm
Phosphate 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0.5 ppm
Iron 562 ppb vs 290 ppb vs 690 vs 676 vs 101 ppb
Chromium (VI) NA vs 9 vs NA vs 5 vs 10 ppb
Copper NA vs 21 vs 19 vs 0 vs 16 ppb
Lead >10 vs NA vs NA vs NA vs NA ppb
Nickel NA vs NA vs NA vs NA vs 0 ppm
BIO-INDICATORS Pelican creek south of concrete barrier 26/8/25
Microinvertebrates: Copepods 0 per ml, rotifers nil , nematodes nil, cnidarians nil , ostracods 1-5 per ml, flatworms nil, diatoms 1-5 per ml, spirogyra algae nil , cryptomonads 5-10 per ml, protists 0 per ml, ciliates 1-10 per ml,
Macroinvertebrates: TAXA richness score 0 (severe pollution) : Pollution index 0(severe pollution), SIGNAL score 0 (severe pollution), PET score 0 (severe pollution)
Snapping Turtle sign June 25th vs July 25th vs Sept 7th vs Oct 18th vs Dec 12th
Lat 26.8198978 south
Long 153.1017177 East
pH 7.0 vs 7.3 vs 6.8 vs 6.4 vs 7.4
EC 9380 vs 9500 vs 2590 12410 vs 4130 uS/cm (brackish water)
TDS 6680 vs 6780 vs 1850 vs 8820 vs 2930 ppm (brackish water)
Salinity 0.47% vs 0.48% vs 0.13% vs 0.62% vs 0.2% (brackish water)
D.O. 81% vs 80% vs 83% vs 62%
ORP 328 vs 337 vs 160 vs 180 mV
KH Carbonate hardness 61 vs 60 vs 40 vs 66 vs 50 ppm
GH General Hardness 935 vs 950 vs 340 vs 1275 vs 450 ppm
Sulfate > 100 vs > 100 vs >100 vs >100 vs >100 ppm
Chloride NA vs 3000 vs 1000 vs NA vs 1200 ppm
Nitrate 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0.2 vs 0 ppm
Ammonia NA vs NA vs NA vs 0.17 vs 0 ppm
Phosphate 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 8.2 vs 0.25 ppm
Iron 715 vs 420 vs 654 vs 309 vs 43 ppb
Chromium (VI) 8 vs 36 vs NA vs 10 vs 6 ppb
Copper 0 ppb vs 0 ppb vs 27 vs 8 vs 0 ppb
Lead (July only) >10 ppb vs NA vs NA vs NA vs NA
Nickel NA vs NA vs NA vs NA vs 0 ppm
BIO-INDICATORS Pelican creek at Snapping Turtle sign 18/10/25
Microinvertebrates: copepods nil, ostracods nil, protists nil, nematodes nil, cnidarians nil, flatworms nil, diatoms nil, cryptomonads 5-10 per ml, ciliates nil
Macroinvertebrates: TAXA richness score 0 (severe pollution) : Pollution index 0, SIGNAL score 0 (severe pollution), PET score 0 (severe pollution)
Abandoned Sewage Farm July 2 nd vs 27th vs Sept 7 th vs Oct 25th vs Nov 14th
Lat 26.8248002 Sth
Long 153.1002173 East
pH 7.9 vs 7.2 vs 6.6 vs 7.9 vs 7.8
EC 4430 vs 7510 vs 3370 vs 11420 vs 8360 uS/cm
TDS 3140 vs 5390 vs 2390 vs 8120 vs 5960 ppm
salinity 0.22% vs 0.38% vs 0.17% vs 0.57% vs 0.42%
DO 87% 7.4 mg/L vs 83% vs 82% vs NA vs NA
KH Carbonate hardness 38 vs 36 vs 38 vs 68 vs 62 ppm
GH General Hardness 544 vs 680 vs 270 vs 1190 vs 952 ppm
Nitrate 7 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0.0 ppm
Phosphate 0.1 vs 0.25 vs 0 vs 0 vs 0.0 ppm
Chloride NA vs 2200 vs 1200 vs 5500 vs 3500 ppm
Sulfate >100 vs >100 vs >100 vs >100 vs >100 ppm
iron 850 vs 2200 vs 287 vs 55 vs 24 ppb
Chromium (VI) 20 vs 37 vs NA vs 15 ppb vs 10 ppb
Copper 0 vs 0 vs 9 vs 10 vs 0 ppb
Nickel 100 ,000 vs NA vs NA vs NA vs 0.0 ppb
Manganese 0 vs 0.1 vs NA vs NA vs 0.0 ppm
Abandoned Sewage Farm
BIO-INDICATORS 7/9/25 (indicate possible severe pollution)
Microinvertebrates: no copepods, cryptomonads 20 per ml, protists 5 per ml, no nematodes, no cnidarians, no ostracods, no flatworms, occasional diatoms
Macroinvertebrates: TAXA richness score 2 (possible severe pollution) : Pollution index 4 (possible severe pollution), SIGNAL score 2 (possible severe pollution), PET score 0 (possible severe pollution)
Pelican Waters Golf Course June 22nd vs July 27th vs Sept 7th vs Oct 25 th vs Nov 14th
Lat 26.8297231 South
Long 153.0932134 East
pH 7.6 vs 7.5 vs 6.9 vs 8.1 vs 8.14
EC 2150 vs 3780 vs 3140 vs 5810 vs 5590 uS/cm
TDS 1530 vs 2690 vs 2230 vs 4140 vs 3970 ppm
Salinity 0.1% vs 0.19% vs 0.16% vs 0.29% vs 0.28%
D.O. 80% vs 86% vs 84% vs NA vs NA
ORP 260 vs 232 vs 340 vs 232 vs 175 mV
KH Carbonate hardness 72 vs 54 vs 48 vs 57 vs 49 ppm
GH General Hardness 270 vs 408 vs 408 vs 646 vs 610 ppm
Sulfate 90 vs >100 vs >100 vs > 100 vs >100 ppm
Chloride NA vs 1000 vs NA vs 1500 vs 1460 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 vs 0.1 vs 0.0 vs 0 vs 0.0 ppm
Phosphate 0.1 vs 0.0 vs 1.9 vs 0.1 vs 0.0 ppm
Iron 12,700 vs 513 vs 261 vs 48 vs 26 ppb
Nickel NA vs NA vs NA vs NA vs 0 ppm
Copper NA vs NA vs NA vs NA vs 0 ppb
Chromium NA vs NA vs NA vs NA v NA
Pelican Waters Estate Golf Course Lake 7/9/25
BIO-INDICATORS 7/9/25 (indicate severe pollution)
Microinvertebrates: no copepods, cryptomonads 10 per ml, protists 10 per ml, nematodes 5 per ml, no cnidarians, no ostracods, no flatworms, diatoms 100 per ml, microfibers 5 per ml
Macroinvertebrates: TAXA richness score 2 (possible severe pollution) : Pollution index 4 (possible severe pollution), SIGNAL score 2 (possible severe pollution), PET score 0 (possible severe pollution)
Freshwater guideline Chromium (VI)
A total of 222 chronic data points were available for chromium (VI) in freshwater, comprising 7 taxonomic groups. Chronic data were converted to a uniform NOEC end-point, using the method adapted from van de Plassche et al. (1993) to give the following figures (expressed as geometric means for species and end-points, except where indicated) (pH range was 7.0 to 8.2):
Fish: 13 species, 84 to 35,314 µg/L. The lowest figure was from a chronic LC50 for channelfish, Nuria danrica, to give a NOEC of 61 mg/L.
Crustaceans: four species, 2.8 µg/L (C. dubia) to 50,000 µg/L (D. carinata). The lowest figure was from a chronic LC50 for C. dubia.
Rotifer: one species, Philodina roseola, 880 to 6200 µg/L (range).
Algae, diatoms and blue-green algae: nine species, 0.1 (Stephanodiscus sp.) to 600 µg/L Chlorella vulgaris). Most species had means >30 µg/L. A recent Canadian publication (Pawlisz et al. 1997) cited data from around 20 algal species but any additional data could not be included until assessed according to the selection criteria. The trigger value is above the outlying diatom figure but is considered sufficiently protective of most species.
Flagellates: two species, 23 µg/L (Euglena gracilis; from LC50) to 600 µg/L.
Macrophytes: two species, 16 µg/L, from an EC50, growth, (Lemna minor) to 920 µg/L (Myriophyllum sp.), from EC50, growth figures.
A freshwater high reliability trigger value for chromium (VI) of 1.0 µg/L was derived using the statistical distribution method at 95% protection.
Marine guideline Chromium (VI)
After screening, over 225 marine data points were obtained for chromium (VI), comprising the following, reported as geometric means of species and end-points after conversion to NOEC equivalents:
Fish: three species, 776 µg/L (Citharichthys sp., from 14 to 21-day LC50) to 14,125 µg/L (Cyprinodon variegatus, from NOEC, growth).
Crustaceans: 13 species, 4 µg/L (Cancer anthonyi, from 7-day LOEC, hatch) to 3090 µg/L (Rhithanopanopeus sp., from 20-day LC50).
Echinoderm: one species, Asterias forbesi, 2000 µg/L, from 7-day LC50.
Mollusc: three species, 1600 µg/L (Mya arenaria, from 7-day LC50) to 10,000 µg/L (Macoma balthica, from 8-16-d LC50).
Annelids: four species, 2.5 µg/L (Neanthes sp., from 14-day LOEC, mortality) to 1995 µg/L (Dinophilus sp., from 7-day LOEC, mortality).
Sipunculid: one species, Themiste sp., 1995 µg/L, from 11 to 52-day LC50.
Algae, blue–green algae, and flagellates: 7 species, 4.8 µg/L (a dinoflagellate, from 7-day EC50, growth) to 1000 µg/L (Skeletonema sp, NOEC, population growth).
A marine high reliability trigger value for chromium (VI) of 4.4 µg/L was derived using the statistical distribution method at 95% protection.
The guideline figure is close to the geometric mean of three out of 36 species (4.0, 4.8 and 5.0 µg/L) but, as these were NOEC figures, the 95% protection value should be sufficiently protective in most slightly to moderately disturbed systems.
Freshwater guideline Nickel
For freshwater guideline derivation, only the chronic nickel data that were linked to pH and hardness measurements were considered and further screened. This reduced the dataset to just 18 data points covering seven species and four taxonomic groups. Geometric means of NOEC equivalents are reported below, after conversion to a uniform hardness of 30 mg/L CaCO3. The pH range was 6.3 to 7.7.
Fish: four species, 13.7 µg/L (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to 151 µg/L, (Micropterus salmoides). The lowest experimental chronic figure, (after hardness correction) was a 28-day LC50 of 18.5 µg/L for O. mykiss.
Amphibian: one species, Ambystoma opacum, 31 µg/L, from 8-day LC50.
Crustacean: one species, D. magna, 13.5 µg/L, from 5 to 30-day EC50. Lowest experimental chronic figure (after hardness correction) was 67 µg/L.
Mollusc: one species, Juga plicifera, 39.5 µg/L. An experimental NOEC of 69 µg/L was reported.
A freshwater high reliability trigger value of 11 µg/L was calculated for nickel using the statistical distribution method at 95% protection. This applies to low hardness waters, 30 mg/L as CaCO3.
Marine guideline Nickel
Chronic data (34 points) after screening covered five taxonomic groups, as follows (reported as no observed effect concentration [NOEC] equivalents and geometric means of end-points and species). Several low figures (< 200 µg/L) were screened out, mainly because end-points were not reported.
Fish: one species, Fundulus heteroclitus, 30 000 µg/L from 7-day LC50.
Crustaceans: four species, 141 µg/L (36-day chronic mortality, Mysidopsis bahia, Gentile et al. 1982) and 160 µg/L (Portunus pelagicus: from 42-day maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) growth of 320 µg/L) to 6000 µg/L from 5 to 8-day LC50.
Echinoderm: one species, Asteria forbesi, 2600 µg/L from 7-d LC50.
Mollusc: five species, 240 (Crassostrea virginica; from 12-day LC50 of 1200 µg/L) to 450,000 µg/L from 7 to 12-day LC50.
Annelid: two species, 1540 to 5000 µg/L, from 7-day LC50.
Algae: one species, Nitzschia closterium 50 µg/L, from 5-day EC50 growth (Australian data).
Freshwater guidelines Copper
For freshwater guideline derivation, only the chronic data that were linked to pH and hardness measurements were considered and further screened. This reduced the dataset to around 130 data points covering 4 taxonomic groups, and these were adjusted to a common hardness of 30 mg/L as CaCO3, as follows (data are reported as geometric means of NOEC after adjustment from other chronic end-points (van de Plassche et al. 1993) (pH range was 6.96 to 8.61):
Fish: 10 species, 2.6 µg/L (Ptylocheilus oregonensis, from 7-day LC50) to 131 µg/L (Pimephales promelas, 7-day LC50); seven species had geometric means <25 µg/L
Crustaceans: five species, 1.7 µg/L (D. pulex and G. pulex, NOEC, reproduction & mortality) to 12.1 µg/L (Hyalella azteca, from 10 to 14-day LC50)
Insects: three species, 2.2 µg/L (Tanytarsus dissimilis, from 10-day LC50) to 11 µg/L (Chironomus tentans, 10 to 20-day LC50)
Molluscs: three species, 1.64 µg/L (Flumicola virens, from 14-day LC50) to 56.2 (Corbicula manilensis, from 7 to 42-day LC50). The latter figure was not included in calculations as it was outside the pH range.
A freshwater high reliability trigger value for copper of 1.4 µg/L was derived using the statistical distribution method with 95% protection. This applies to waters of hardness of 30 mg/L as CaCO3.
Marine guidelines Copper
Screened data consisted of 70 data points from five taxonomic groups, as follows (expressed as geometric means of NOEC equivalents; pH data were not recorded):
Fish: six species, 30 mg/L (two species, from 12 to 14-day EC50, hatch & mortality) to 260 µg/L (Menidia menidia, 11-day EC50, hatch).
Crustaceans: three species, 1.7 µg/L (Callianassa australiensis, from 10 to 14-day EC50 of 8.5 mg/L) to 42 µg/L (Mysidiopsis bahia, from 29 to 51-day MATC, reproduction).
Molluscs: seven species, 0.4 µg/L (Mytilus edulis, from 30-d EC50, reproduction of 2 mg/L) to 20 000 µg/L (Ostrea edulis, 5-d LC50).
Annelids: three species, 17 µg/L to 68 µg/L (from 14 to 28-day LC50).
Algae: six species, 2 µg/L (Enteromorpha sp, from 5-day LC50) to 1000 µg/L; five species had some end-points with means <25 µg/L.
A marine high reliability trigger value for copper of 1.3 µg/L was derived using the statistical distribution method with 95% protection. This figure is above the converted NOEC for Mytilus edulis but below the experimental EC50 (2 µg/L) and is considered appropriate for slightly-moderately disturbed systems.
Freshwater guideline Lead
For freshwater guideline derivation, only the chronic data that were linked to pH and hardness measurements were considered and further screened. This reduced the dataset to just 19 data points covering five taxonomic groups. Data were corrected to low hardness (30 mg/L CaCO3) and amended to no observed effect concentration (NOEC) equivalents using an adaptation of the method of van de Plassche et al. (1993), and are summarised below as geometric means of NOECs.
Fish: four species, 5.65 µg/L (Lepidomeda vittata) from maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) reproduction to 43 µg/L (Salmo salar, from chronic LC50).
Amphibian: one species, Ambystoma opacum, 68 µg/L (from LC50).
Crustaceans: two species, 5.1 µg/L (Gammarus pseudolimnaeus, from LC50 and LOEC) to 19.5 µg/L (D. magna, from EC50 and NOEC reproduction).
Insects: one species, Tanytarsus dissimilis, 28 µg/L, from LC50.
Molluscs: oine species, Dreissena polymorpha, 28 µg/L, from LC50.
A high reliability freshwater trigger value for lead of 3.4 µg/L was calculated using the statistical distribution method at 95% protection. This applies to waters of low hardness, 30 mg/L as CaCO3.
Marine guideline Lead
The screened marine data for lead comprised 25 data points covering four taxonomic groups, as follows.
Crustaceans: one species, Mysidiopsis bahia, 29 to 51-day NOEC, reproduction, 25 µg/L.
Molluscs: one species, Perna viridis, 7-day LC50, 4400 to 4520 µg/L (giving a NOEC of 880 to 904 µg/L).
Annelids: two species, 28-day LC50, 840 to 7550 µg/L; 183 to 274 day LOEC, reproduction, 20 µg/L, converting to NOEC of 8 µg/L.
Algae: three species, 10-day EC50 (one species), 3110 to 7940 µg/L; 14-day MATC (two species), reproduction, 16 to 54 µg/L, converting to NOEC of 8 to 27 µg/L.
A marine high reliability trigger value for lead of 4.4 µg/L was calculated using the statistical distribution method with 95% protection.
Guideline Iron
There were insufficient data at this stage to derive a reliable trigger value for iron. The current Canadian guideline level is 300 µg/L, which could be used as an interim indicative working level but further data are required to establish a figure appropriate for Australian and New Zealand waters. Potential for iron deficiency needs to be considered in such studies. No marine data were available.