Water Quality Monitoring – Newcastle, Hunter Valley & Port Stephens
Groundwater and surface water monitoring to support development, manage risk, and meet EPA and planning requirements.
Groundwater & Surface Water Monitoring – Newcastle, Port Stephens & the Hunter Valley
At Confluence Environmental, we provide trusted water quality monitoring services across Newcastle, Port Stephens, and the Hunter Valley to support developments, industrial operations, and regulatory compliance. Our consultants specialise in delivering accurate data and actionable insight for managing environmental risks.
From planning applications and remediation to long-term EPA reporting, we tailor every monitoring program to meet local guidelines, site-specific needs, and statutory requirements.
Why Monitor Water Quality in Newcastle and the Hunter Region?
Monitoring groundwater and surface water plays a critical role in:
Securing development approvals and satisfying DA conditions
Supporting contaminated land assessments and remediation
Maintaining compliance with the POEO Act and EPA licences
Resource recovery and waste classification under NSW regulations
Baseline data collection for environmental impact assessments
Managing risks from acid sulfate soils, salinity, and groundwater-dependent ecosystems
Monitoring site runoff and protecting sensitive catchments or wetlands
Whether you’re investigating legacy contamination or maintaining compliance on an active site, we provide defensible, regulator-ready results — backed by NATA-accredited testing.
Water Monitoring Services – Tailored to Your Site
Our programs are designed specifically for each project’s location, land use, and environmental obligations.
Groundwater Monitoring – Newcastle & Hunter Valley
Our groundwater services include:
Bore installation and well gauging
Low-flow purging and representative sample collection
Field testing: pH, EC, redox, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature
Laboratory analysis for metals, hydrocarbons, nutrients, PFAS and more
Depth-to-water and seasonal variation tracking
Plume delineation and impact assessment
Comparison against NEPM (ASC) and ANZG water quality guidelines
Commonly used for:
Remediation and validation
Fuel or chemical storage assessments
DA and planning submissions
Baseline monitoring and ongoing risk management
Surface Water Monitoring – Port Stephens & Surrounds
We conduct surface water assessments across creeks, wetlands, stormwater outlets, and estuarine environments:
Grab sampling for water and sediment
Field measurements and NATA-accredited lab testing
Flow condition assessment and aquatic ecosystem evaluation
Monitoring against ANZG 2018 Guidelines, council objectives, or EPL conditions
Environmental impact monitoring for nearby developments and infrastructure works
Used for:
Sensitive site runoff monitoring
EPA compliance and stormwater management
Waterway protection in DA approvals or biodiversity offsets
Regulatory & Compliance Reporting
We prepare clear, professional reports aligned with all major regulatory frameworks, including:
NSW EPA Environmental Protection Licences (EPLs)
POEO Act compliance
Local council development consent conditions
Baseline risk reporting and impact assessments
Validation of remediation activities on contaminated land
All reports are audit-ready and formatted for direct submission to regulators, certifiers, or environmental auditors.
Who We Work With in the Newcastle Region
We support a wide range of clients across the Newcastle, Hunter, and Port Stephens regions:
Residential and commercial developers
Infrastructure contractors and asset managers
Environmental consultants and town planners
EPA-licensed sites and industrial operators
Local councils, state agencies, and public landowners
Quarry and waste facility operators
Private landowners near creeks, wetlands, or sensitive zones
Whether you’re responding to EPA requirements or conducting pre-development due diligence, we’ll help you manage your water responsibilities with confidence.
Why Choose Confluence Environmental?
Local expertise in Hunter Valley, Newcastle, and Port Stephens
Certified sampling and NATA-accredited laboratory testing
Full compliance with NEPM, ANZG, POEO Act, and council frameworks
Transparent, cost-effective service delivery
Reports that are clear, visual, and ready for decision-makers and regulators
We go beyond sampling — we help you understand your site and its risks, and guide your next steps.
Service Areas
We provide groundwater and surface water monitoring throughout:
Newcastle & Lake Macquarie
Port Stephens (including Raymond Terrace, Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay)
Hunter Valley (Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook)
Plus surrounding regional and coastal NSW
Book a Water Monitoring Program Today
Contact Confluence Environmental to organise professional groundwater or surface water testing in Newcastle, the Hunter, or Port Stephens. Let us help you meet your compliance obligations and manage environmental risks with confidence.
Call 0493 042 642 or drop us an enquiry below to request a quote or consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Groundwater & Surface Water Monitoring
Why is groundwater and surface water monitoring important?
Monitoring helps detect and manage environmental risks early. It supports:
Early identification of groundwater or surface water contamination from industrial, urban, or agricultural sources
Protection of sensitive ecosystems, aquatic life, and drinking water supplies
Compliance with NSW environmental regulations, including EPA licence conditions, planning approvals, and the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act)
Baseline data collection before development or remediation activities
What are the common sources of water contamination?
Typical causes of water quality impacts in NSW include:
Leaking underground petroleum storage systems (UPSS), especially at fuel stations
Chemical spills or discharges from industrial sites
Stormwater runoff carrying sediment, nutrients, pesticides, or hydrocarbons
Landfill leachate or contaminated fill material
Disturbance of acid sulfate soils, releasing sulfuric compounds into water systems
How often should water quality monitoring be conducted?
Monitoring frequency depends on your site’s regulatory requirements, contamination risk, and project phase. Common scenarios include:
Quarterly or annual sampling for routine environmental compliance or long-term site monitoring
Monthly or rainfall-triggered sampling for high-risk sites or active remediation areas
Short-term intensive programs for due diligence, development approvals, or baseline studies
We tailor every monitoring program to suit your site's conditions and obligations.
What happens if contamination is detected in groundwater or surface water?
If results show elevated levels of pollutants (e.g. heavy metals, hydrocarbons, nutrients):
A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) may be required to define the extent and risk
A Remediation Action Plan (RAP) may be developed to address contamination
Ongoing water monitoring and reporting is usually required to track progress and ensure regulatory compliance
Confluence Environmental can guide you through each step of this process.
Can Confluence Environmental help with EPA and council compliance?
Absolutely. We offer:
Site-specific water monitoring programs
Sampling and laboratory analysis using approved methods
Regulatory reporting suitable for NSW EPA, local councils, and water authorities
Expert guidance on interpreting results and managing environmental obligations
Our team ensures you stay compliant — and avoid costly delays, penalties, or remediation missteps.