About Report Card

EPA produces an annual Report Card, which gives a 12-month summary of the water quality for:

  • Port Phillip Bay
  • Western Port
  • Gippsland Lakes and their catchments.

These bays and lakes are the largest coastal waterbodies in Victoria.

EPA, Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA), and Melbourne Water monitor water quality in these regions. Each year, EPA collect samples from the marine bays and lakes. DEECA collect samples from rivers and streams in Gippsland. Melbourne Water collect samples from waterways in greater Melbourne. The sampling data is then collated and used to calculate an annual rating based on key water quality indicators.

A rating of Very Good or Good indicates that water quality meets objectives in the Environment Reference Standard for Victoria. A rating of Poor or Very Poor indicates that the environmental condition of the waterway is under stress.

Stressors such as excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), increased sediment and algal blooms are potential risks to the health of aquatic ecosystems. Report Card provides an annual snapshot of long-term condition and shows a history for each region over the last twenty years.

Overall, water quality has stayed relatively steady, even though population pressures have increased over time.

As water flows from upland forest, through agricultural land, and into urban environments, changes in land use such as urban growth, industrial activities, intensive agriculture and run-off from urban areas may impact water quality.

Read Report Card to find out about water quality

  • Report Card 2022-2023

    In 2022–23, water quality in bays, lakes, and waterways changed. Gippsland Lakes and Western Port saw improvements, while the Port Phillip Region experienced a decline. Rainfall in central Victoria was above average, and in Gippsland, it was average. Heavy rain in certain areas around Port Phillip caused flooding in spring 2022, leading to increased sediment and nutrient levels in Port Phillip Bay. This resulted in Fair water quality scores at 4 out of 6 bay sites.
     
    Refer to Report Card for more information.
  • Report Card 2021-2022

    EPA’s Marine Fixed Sites Program provides the backbone of water quality data for the 2021-22 Report Card and is used in conjunction with other agency monitoring for State of Environment reporting.

    Data is accessible for the marine systems, via the Victorian Government Data directory:

     

     
  • Report Card 2020-2021

    In 2020–21, water quality in the bays, lakes and waterways was similar to previous years.

    Water quality was mostly Very Good or Good for rivers in the headwaters of catchments. Water quality generally declined to Poor or Very Poor as the rivers moved through rural, agricultural and urbanised areas in the foothills and coastal plains of the lowlands. 

    In the bays and lakes, water quality was mostly Very Good or Good for areas that are able to mix with the open ocean. Water quality was generally worse in marine waters adjacent to river entrances that transport sediments and nutrients from urban, industrial and agricultural areas.

    Report Card 2020-2021 (publication 1937) has more information.

  • Report Card 2019-2020

    Water quality in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, Gippsland Lakes and waterways in their catchments was similar to previous years. The East Gippsland catchment was an exception, where water quality declined from Very Good to Good.

    On average, water quality was Very Good or Good for rivers in elevated areas where most rivers begin. Water quality declined to Poor or Very Poor as rivers moved through rural, agricultural and urban areas.

    In the bays and Gippsland Lakes, where waters mix with open ocean, water quality was on average Very Good or Good. Where rivers transport pollution from urban and industrial areas, water quality was usually worse near entrances to bays and lakes.

    In East Gippsland, there was a decline in water quality at some sites along the upper Tambo and Mitchell Rivers. This was due to long-term lower rainfall.

    Sites in bushfire-affected areas in the Gippsland Lakes catchment maintained Very Good water quality. Monitoring results showed that bushfires temporarily impacted water quality at some East Gippsland sites.

    Report Card 2019-2020 (publication 1923) has more information.

  • Report Card 2018-2019

    Water quality in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, Gippsland Lakes and waterways in their catchments was similar to previous years. Or in some cases, slightly better.

    Water quality was generally Good in rivers and streams in forested areas of upper catchments. It declined as waterways moved through rural, agricultural and urban areas.

    In the bays and lakes, water quality was on average Good in areas that mix with the open ocean. It was worse where rivers transport pollutants from urban and industrial areas.

    Report Card 2018-2019 (publication 1857) has more information.

How EPA works to improve water quality

EPA works to improve water quality in Victoria’s waterways, lakes and bays through a number of initiatives:

Find out more about water quality

The Victorian Government, community and other groups continue to monitor water quality to assess the health of Victoria’s water environments. Find out more about water quality monitoring:

How EPA monitors water quality

DEECA surface water monitoring

DEECA Index of Estuary Condition

Gippsland Lakes Environment Report

Melbourne Water river health and monitoring

Waterwatch

EstuaryWatch

Reviewed 24 July 2023