Understanding water quality in an environmental context is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. While guidelines such as the ANZECC water quality guidelines provide a critical framework, the implications of their ‘carte blanche’ application often has real-world implications. In practice, this can lead to overly conservative targets, unnecessary cost, and outcomes that are not aligned with actual environmental risk.

About the Webinar

In this webinar, we explore how water quality should be interpreted and applied across environmental, process and regulatory contexts, drawing on 25 years of experience across mining, oil and gas, infrastructure and industrial projects. Particular focus is given to the importance of baseline data, site-specific assessments and the risks associated with default guideline adoption without appropriate context.

Through practical examples, the session will demonstrate how a more informed and balanced approach to water quality can improve environmental outcomes while avoiding unnecessary complexity and cost. It will also highlight how water chemistry underpins not only compliance, but also the development of effective management and monitoring strategies.

Designed as a practical session, this webinar is suited to environmental professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of water quality and its application in real-world projects.

The session will cover:

• How water quality considerations differ across environmental, process and regulatory contexts
• Common challenges in applying ANZECC guidelines, including lack of baseline data and over-reliance on default trigger values
• Risks associated with adopting overly conservative targets and the implications for cost and monitoring
• The importance of site-specific water quality objectives and baseline studies
• How water quality informs environmental impact assessment, monitoring and compliance strategies
• Practical approaches to interpreting water quality data and aligning it with environmental risk

Meet the Speaker

Daniel Couton | Process and Environment Chemist at Aquall Pty Ltd

Daniel has over 25 years’ experience across the oil & gas, mining, infrastructure and government sectors. He holds a PhD in Chemistry and is a recognised specialist in water quality, wastewater treatment and evaporation technologies. As Director of Aquall, Daniel delivers innovative, practical solutions to complex water and sustainability challenges, with expertise spanning process design, troubleshooting, and strategic water management. He has led multidisciplinary teams, contributed to patented technologies, and supported projects globally, bringing a strong focus on sustainable outcomes and real-world implementation.

This webinar will run on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) and will be recorded. A link to the recording will be sent to all registered delegates in the days following the event.

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