The presence of PFAS contamination takes up less than half a page in the 88-page document.

The draft report does say the Katherine River, which receives flows from the aquifer, "is considered to be in a relatively good condition".

However the report does acknowledge, "there is no systematic ecological monitoring currently in place in the Katherine River system".

The draft report does sound a warning about the impact PFAS is already having on water quality and says while efforts are being made to provide clean drinking water for humans, there was no "alternative supply available for stock and domestic".

The NT Government has released two water allocation plans for public comment - the Oolloo Dolostone and Katherine Tindall Limestone aquifers.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources water planning and engagement director, Tim Bond, said both draft Plan areas are within the Daly Roper Beetaloo Water Control District and, while the plans relate to different groundwater resources, the aquifer boundaries and management of surface water overlap.

"The draft Oolloo Plan is the first for that aquifer whereas the draft Katherine Plan is proposed to renew the existing plan which expires on August 19," Mr Bond said.

The Tindall acquifer is famously over-allocated, but water licence owners do not make full use of their entitlements.

Experts estimated the sustainable yield of the aquifer is just over 38,000 megalitres a year.

The legal extraction limit is 42,163 megalitres a year.

Actual water use in the plan area reported for 2017-18 was 15,947 megalitres , or approximately 38% of the water extraction limit.

The two PFAS clean-up plants located by Defence at Tindal RAAF Base will be able to "treat" just over 700 megalitres each year.

"Water Allocation Plans are statutory documents that provide guidance around the rules and arrangements for sharing water," Mr Bond said.

"The draft plans were developed in consultation with two local water advisory committees with the public now given until July 15, 2019 to provide comment on each plan.

"Both plans aim to ensure water resources are managed in a way that protects and maintains environmental and cultural values while allowing water to be sustainably used for consumptive beneficial uses.

"The Katherine and Douglas Daly regions play a vital economic role with industries such as agriculture and horticulture reliant on secure water for irrigation and competing uses are what underpin the draft plans.

"Water discharging from the Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer and the Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer is the major source of water for the Katherine and Daly Rivers during the dry season.

"Strong flows in the Daly and Katherine Rivers support important recreational fishing and tourism and provide the life blood to Katherine, the lower Daly and broader regional communities.

"Tourism and agribusiness in the region, worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Territory's economy, rely on water from these aquifers and this take must be sustainably managed."

The draft Katherine and Oolloo plans will become statutory documents which provide guidance around the rules and arrangements for sharing water.

"Once a plan is declared trade can occur in that plan area providing a means for increased water availability," Mr Bond said.

"A plan doesn't operate at the level of individual licences and can't enforce changes to licence conditions."

The draft Katherine plan indicates that the system is over allocated but recognises that more detailed work on environmental and cultural flow requirements is needed to establish a sustainable level of use.

The draft Oolloo plan indicates the system is close to full allocation but water is still available for allocation through the Strategic Aboriginal Water Reserve.

The draft Oolloo Plan also proposes new protections for springs and areas of cultural and environmental significance.

Go to www.denr.nt.gov.au/katherinewaterplan and/or www.denr.nt.gov.au/oolloowaterplan to comment on one or both of the draft Plans before the 15 July 2019 closing date.

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