Hydrogeochemistry is the sampling and analysis of water to test its chemical properties. The chemistry of bore water can provide clues to the properties of the underlying rocks it has flowed through. Hydrogeochemistry data provides useful information about the quality of groundwater and the processes affecting it. The data is useful for landholders and local government agencies in assessing groundwater resources and their suitability for human and animal consumption, and for industry, other government agencies and scientists to assist with targeting and assessment of natural resources in the earth’s crust.

The hydrogeochemistry data presented here has been sourced from various entities including the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW), Water NSW, CSIRO, and Geoscience Australia (GA).

GSNSW and GA collect hydrogeochemistry data on a project basis. CSIRO has curated a groundwater hydrochemistry dataset by collating and standardising data from most State and Territory lead water agencies. Data within NSW will be continually added to this dataset as it is collected or acquired by GSNSW in the future.

The hydrogeochemistry dataset presented here includes the following data:

• Field measurements and laboratory analyses, such as pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS, a measure of salinity)

• Major and minor ions, such as sodium and calcium

• Trace element metals and non-metals, such as gold, silver, copper and zinc

• Stable and radioactive isotopes, such as oxygen-18, carbon-14, and sulphur-34

In addition to this, CSIRO has calculated variables such as saturation indices, which are derived from the hydrochemistry measurements. Information for methodologies used by CSIRO, including the saturation indices, is available from the CSIRO Research Publications Repository.