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Quality of surface waters is a relative concept expressed in terms of the variables (physical, chemical and biological) that are measured to meet objectives of the study designed to assess it. The comparisons that are made between variables are important rather than their absolute values. Studies on water quality usually yield diverse data types and the study design should allow for the association of these data.

Standard guidelines for the measurement of chemical variables to assess water quality in Australia have been readily adopted from North America and Europe, but complete biological standards have not yet been formulated and accepted. Diversity and biotic indices have serious deficiencies for assessing water quality, especially in Australia, and their use should be avoided. Similarity indices make few assumptions about the data and they may be of most use as a basis for classification …