The land transport system can impact on water quality and flow during the operation, maintenance and construction of transport infrastructure. Effects can be short term or long term.
Potential impacts include surface water pollution from surface run-off or spray and accidental spillage, and ground water pollution from soakaways discharge or disturbance of contaminated ground.
Erosion from construction activities, as well as stockpiling of materials, can cause sediment discharge to surface water. New infrastructure or construction can also interrupt overland flows (such as rainstorms and flooding), channelised flow (such as streams and rivers), or ground water flows and levels. This can affect the surrounding areas and impact on the natural and built environment.
Investments in operations, infrastructure construction and maintenance of the land transport system may therefore have positive or negative impacts on water.
Qualitative benefits guidance is available for water quality and flow.
7.1.1 Water quality*
Measures marked * are qualitative.
For more information about these measures see Land Transport Benefits Framework measures manual.
Land Transport Benefits Framework measures manual
> Return to the overview of the Land Transport Benefits Framework
