2019-20 Water Quality Report

2019-20 WATER QUALITY REPORT

our water our customers healthy living AT A GLANCE

Traditional Owners Acknowledgement total population serviced Central Highlands Water acknowledges the Traditional 152,273 Owners / Peoples of the region we work in, including total water the Dja Dja Wurrung, Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, Djab Wurrung, Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and supply connections 72,128 Jupagulk Peoples. total potable water We pay our respect to the Elders of these communities past, supply volume present and emerging, acknowledging that they have been 14,020 ML custodians of land and water for many centuries and that their continuing culture and contribution is important to the life water of the region. 15 treatment plants 30 reservoirs diversion 13 weirs groundwater 34 bores bulk water 17 entitlements held of water 2,551 KM mains service basins 47 and tanks water 41 pumping stations

Additional copies ISSN: 2204-1192 (Online) This water quality report is available for viewing or download from © State of Victoria, Central Highlands Water 2020. Central Highlands Water’s website, www.chw.net.au This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process To minimise our impact on the environment, we print limited numbers of except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. this report and we encourage you to view this report online. If you require This report has been printed on ecoStar 100% recycled stock. any additional printed copies, please contact Central Highlands Water at:

Email: [email protected] Phone: 1800 061 514 Cover image: Pincotts Reservoir, Mathew Leehane (Advisor – Civil Post: PO Box 152 Ballarat Vic 3353 Maintenance Planner) water quality testing, Ronak Patel (Chemist) CHW In person: 7 Learmonth Rd Wendouree Vic 3355 Laboratory, Shannon Haintz (Communications and Engagement Lead) and ABN: 75 224 340 348 Elva Haintz (taken in September 2018) CHW Education program.

2 CONTENTS

PART 1 INTRODUCTION TABLES AND FIGURES About us 4 Table 1: Sources of water 9 Summary 4 Table 2: Reservoir capacity and current levels 10 Drinking water quality policy 4 Table 3: Treatment processes and added Drinking water regulatory framework 5 substances for supply systems 13 Undertakings, exemptions and determinations under the Act 5 Table 4: Complaints comparison 2019-20 to previous reporting periods 14 Community information 5 Table 5: Complaints by water supply system 2019-20 15 PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Table 6: Customer communications issued 16 Overview 6 Table 7: Escherichia coli (E. coli) – Customer Taps 20 Figure 1: Escherichia coli (E. coli) Trending – Customer Taps 21 Sources of water 7 Table 8: Escherichia coli (E. coli) – Entry Points 22 Service area 8 Table 9: Escherichia coli (E. coli) – Network Treated Water treatment plants 11 Water Storages 23 Treatment processes 11 Table 10: Trihalomethanes 24 Figure 2: Trihalomethanes Trending 25 Added substances 12 Table 11: Turbidity – Customer Taps 26 Disinfection 12 Figure 3: Turbidity Trending – Customer Taps 27 Fluoridation 12 Table 12: Turbidity – Entry Points 28 Distribution 12 Table 13: Turbidity – Network Treated Water Storages 29 Table 14: Fluoride 30 PART 3 CUSTOMER FEEDBACK Figure 4: Fluoride Trending 31 Complaints 14 Table 15: Chloroacetic Acid 32 Complaints categories and our response 15 Figure 5: Chloroacetic Acid Trending 33 Customer engagement 16 Table 16: Dichloroacetic Acid 34 Figure 6: Dichloroacetic Acid Trending 35 Customer communications 16 Table 17: Trichloroacetic Acid 36 Figure 7: Trichloroacetic Acid Trending 37 PART 4 WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT Table 18: Bromate 38 Overview 17 Figure 8: Bromate Trending 38 Risk management 17 Table 19: Formaldehyde 39 Risk management plan 17 Figure 9: Formaldehyde Trending 39 Audit of risk management plan 17 Table 20: Aluminium (acid soluble) 40 System auditing 17 Figure 10: Aluminium (acid soluble) Trending 41 Verification and monitoring program 17 Table 21: Aesthetic Parameters – pH 42 Control measures 18 Figure 11: pH Trending 43 Table 22: Aesthetic Parameters – Total Dissolved Solids 44 Figure 12: Total Dissolved Solids Trending 45 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS Table 23: Aesthetic Parameters – True Colour 46 Performance monitoring and compliance criteria 19 Figure 13: True Colour Trending 47 Water testing analysis 19 Table 24: Aesthetic Parameters – Hardness 48 Compliance with drinking water quality standards 19 Table 25: Aesthetic Parameters – Iron 49 Compliance performance summary 19 Table 26: Aesthetic Parameters – Zinc 50 Understanding concentration and limits 19 Table 27: Aesthetic Parameters – Total Alkalinity 51 Table 28: Other substances – Free Chlorine 52 PART 6 EMERGENCY AND INCIDENT MANAGEMENT Table 29: Other substances – Monochloramine 53 Section 18 incidents 69 Table 30: Other substances – Cadmium 54 Section 22 incidents 69 Table 31: Other substances – Copper 55 Table 32: Other substances – Lead 56 PART 7 WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Table 33: Other substances – Manganese 57 Source water improvements 70 Table 34: Other substances – Nickel 58 Water treatment plant improvements 71 Table 35: Other substances – Chromium (total) 59 Distribution system improvements 72 Table 36: Other substances – Arsenic 60 APPENDICES Table 37: Other substances – Cyanide 61 Table 46: Summary of audit findings 73 Table 38: Other substances – Mercury 62 Audit certificate 74 Table 39: Other substances – Selenium 63 Abbreviations 75 Table 40: Other substances – NDMA 64 Table 41: Health related organic compounds 65 Table 42a: Pesticides 66 Table 42b: Pesticides (continued) 67 Table 43: Radiological Parameters 68 Table 44: Section 18 incident summary 69 Table 45: Section 22 incident summary 69

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report 3 PART 1 INTRODUCTION

About us Drinking water quality policy Central Highlands Water (the Corporation, CHW) supplied This policy outlines our commitment to managing our water 14,020 megalitres of potable water to customers throughout supply systems effectively in order to provide safe and the Central Highlands region of Victoria during 2019-20. high-quality drinking water that satisfies the needs of our Operating across 9,275 square kilometres, we supply water customers, community and regulators. to more than 152,200 customers through a complex network CHW is committed to: of 30 reservoirs, 15 treatment plants, 41 pump stations and • Implementing and maintaining a Water Quality Risk 2,551 kilometres of water mains in the local government Management Plan in accordance with the Safe Drinking areas of Ballarat, Central Goldfields, Golden Plains, Water Act 2003, the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 Hepburn, Pyrenees, Northern Grampians, Moorabool and and other regulatory guidance that utilises a considered risk Corangamite (Skipton). management approach to ensure the supply of safe water and to protect public health. Summary • Implementing, maintaining and adequately resourcing a In accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003, this drinking water quality management system consistent with report provides an overview of CHW’s supply system, the risk the framework described in the Australian Drinking Water management and monitoring processes in place and water Guidelines (ADWG). quality performance for the 2019-20 financial year. • Managing drinking water aesthetics to meet the ‘good’ Guidance regarding the structure of this report has been criteria as defined in the Australian Drinking Water provided by the Department of Health and Human Services Guidelines (ADWG). (DHHS) in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act • Integrating the needs and expectations of our consumers, 2003 and the current Water Quality Annual Report Guidance stakeholders and regulators into our planning. document, June 2017. • Establishing regular monitoring of the quality of drinking water and effective reporting mechanisms to provide relevant and timely information on the management of the water supply. • Continually improving our practices by assessing performance against corporate commitments and regulatory requirements. • Ensuring all managers and employees involved in the supply of drinking water are aware of their responsibility for understanding, implementing and maintaining our drinking water quality management system. • Ensuring this policy is highly visible, continually communicated, understood and implemented by all employees.

4 PART 1 INTRODUCTION Drinking water regulatory framework Undertakings, exemptions and determinations

Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 under the Act No undertaking or exemptions were in place in 2019-20. The purpose of the Victorian Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 (‘the Act’) is “to make provision for the supply of safe Regulated water determination drinking water.” In accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 the The Act defines drinking water as: “water that is intended Minister for Health may declare certain water supplies for human consumption or for the purposes connected with ‘regulated water’ to protect public health. Regulated water is human consumption, such as the preparation of food or classified as water that is not intended for drinking, but which the making of ice for consumption or for the preservation could be reasonably mistaken for drinking water. of unpacked food, whether or not the water is used for other purposes.” CHW operates three regulated water supply systems – Amphitheatre, Raglan and Redbank. The Minister for Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 Health declared these water supplies ‘regulated’ in 2006 (Government Gazette numbers G31 and G35). The Victorian Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 (‘the Regulations’) are made under section 56 of the Safe Drinking CHW is required to keep customers in regulated water Water Act 2003. systems informed that the water supply is not intended for drinking water purposes. The objective of the Regulations is to make further provision for the supply of safe drinking water. CHW achieves this by: The Regulations detail the management of the supply of safe • Sending bi-annual reminders that the water is not supplied drinking water, which sets out: for drinking purposes (see Table 6) • Requirements for water sampling localities • Providing notifications on water bills • Matters to be included in the risk management plan • Providing advice to new owners and for property transfers • Drinking water quality standards • Displaying signage at publicly accessible taps • Requirements relating to the frequency of collection of samples of water for analysis Community information • Details to be included in an annual report to the secretary Consistent with Section 23 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003, CHW provides its customers with all available Established to protect public health, the Regulations are information about the quality of our drinking water. A administered by the Department of Health and Human water quality performance report is published each month Services (DHHS). CHW must meet all requirements specified. at chw.net.au Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 CHW's annual drinking water quality report is available to all customers through chw.net.au or by request from The purpose of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 the Customer Service team on 1800 061 514 during (‘the Guidelines’) is to “provide the authoritative Australian business hours. reference for use within Australia’s administrative and legislative framework to ensure the accountability of drinking water suppliers.” While the Guidelines are not mandatory standards, they set out the framework for management of drinking water quality. The framework includes the following elements: • Commitment to drinking water quality management (by the organisation) • Assessment of the drinking water supply system • Preventative measures for drinking water quality management • Having operational procedures and process control in place • Verification of drinking water quality • Management of incidents and emergencies • Employee awareness and training • Community involvement and awareness • Research and development • Documentation and reporting • Evaluation and audit • Review and continual improvement CHW has adopted these 12 elements when managing our drinking water supply systems.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 1 INTRODUCTION 5 PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Overview Daylesford CHW services customers in 15 distinct water supply systems, Daylesford sources water from Wombat, Bullarto and Hepburn which include 38 specific water sampling localities and three Reservoirs. The Coomoora groundwater bore is an additional regulated water supplies. source of supplementary water. The water supply systems are: Dean Amphitheatre Dean is the smallest water supply system in the CHW region, serving 22 connections. The water supply for Dean is sourced The Amphitheatre system is supplied with non-potable from local groundwater. (untreated) water and has been declared as regulated water. The water is not provided for drinking purposes or other Forest Hill human consumption such as food preparation or ice making. To indicate this, signs are displayed at publicly accessible taps Forest Hill receives a high-quality treated groundwater supply. throughout this supply. Landsborough–Navarre This system sources water from the Amphitheatre Reservoir. The Landsborough–Navarre water supply system receives a A groundwater bore is available as a supplementary supply. high-quality treated groundwater supply. Avoca Learmonth The Avoca water supply system sources water from the Bung Learmonth draws its water from a local groundwater source Bong Bore groundwater supply. which provides high-quality water. Ballarat and District Lexton The Ballarat and District supply is the largest water supply Water for the Lexton township is obtained from the Gordon system in the Central Highlands region and includes the Hill bore which provides high-quality water. townships of Ballarat, Ballan, Creswick, Linton, Smythesdale and Skipton. The Ballarat and district system has several Maryborough and District major sources of water supply including White Swan Reservoir, Lal Lal Reservoir, Goldfields Superpipe and the The Maryborough and District water supply is the second Ballarat West groundwater supply. largest system managed by CHW. Providing treated water to Maryborough and several surrounding towns, the water Ballarat West groundwater was not utilised for the drinking is sourced from Tullaroop Reservoir, Evansford Reservoir water supply in the 2019-20 reporting period. and/or Talbot Reservoir prior to being diverted and stored in Centenary Reservoir. Moolort and Stoney Creek Beaufort (including Raglan) groundwater are also available as supplementary supply The Beaufort water supply system is sourced from Musical sources, treated through the new reverse osmosis plant Gully Reservoir and has a supplementary groundwater commissioned in 2017. supply if needed. Redbank Raglan is supplied with non-potable (untreated) water and has been declared as regulated water. The water is not provided The Redbank system is supplied with non-potable (untreated) for drinking purposes or other human consumption such as water and has been declared as regulated water. The water food preparation or ice making. To indicate this, signs are is not provided for drinking purposes or other human displayed at publicly accessible taps throughout this supply. consumption such as food preparation or ice making. To indicate this, signs are displayed at publicly accessible taps The Raglan water supply system is supplied upstream of the throughout this supply. Beaufort Water Treatment Plant. This system can be supplied from local groundwater sources Blackwood and Barrys Reef or from Redbank Reservoir. The Blackwood and Barrys Reef water supply system is Waubra sourced from stream diversions and has a supplementary groundwater supply if required. Waubra draws its water supply from local groundwater sources.

Clunes Clunes receives a high-quality treated groundwater supply.

6 PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Sources of water CHW's supply systems are supplied from stream diversions, on-stream storages and groundwater bores as detailed in Table 1. Most of the headworks systems (reservoir storage and groundwater assets) are owned and operated by CHW; however some assets are shared with or owned by other authorities, including: • Lal Lal Reservoir is shared with Barwon Water. CHW is responsible for operation and maintenance activities. There is also an environmental reserve component of this storage controlled by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. • A delivery entitlement for Newlyn and Tullaroop Reservoirs, which are owned and operated by Goulburn-Murray Water. • Shared sections of the Goldfields Superpipe with Coliban Water. This asset is used to source water from the Northern Victorian systems (Goulburn and Campaspe systems). CHW has bulk entitlements for our surface water supplies which specify the volume of water and relevant conditions for extraction. These entitlements were negotiated with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), rural water authorities and catchment management authorities. CHW also owns water shares in the Northern Victorian systems. Water allocations from these shares can be supplied to Ballarat via the Goldfields Superpipe. Groundwater extraction licences for our groundwater supply systems specify extraction volumes, rates and particular conditions. Groundwater licences are issued and administered by rural water corporations, including Goulburn-Murray Water, Southern Rural Water and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water. CHW also works closely with relevant catchment management authorities to improve land management and river health.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS 7 SERVICE AREA

Navarre

Redbank

Havelock Timor Landsborough Bowenvale

Alma Maryborough Centenary Reservoir Tullaroop Sugarloaf Avoca Reservoir Reservoir Bung Bong Craigie Lead Daisy Hill Dam Majorca

Amphitheatre Talbot

Talbot Reservoir Lexton Lexton Evansford Reservoir Reservoir Clunes Hepburn Springs Smeaton Hepburn Reservoir Raglan Waubra Daylesford Kingston Broomﬁeld Bullarto Reservoir Wombat Learmonth Newlyn Beaufort Lake Creswick Reservoir Learmonth Cosgrave Reservoir Dean Burrumbeet Miners Rest Dean Blackwood Lake White Swan Reservoir Burrumbeet Reservoir Wilsons Moorabool Ballarat Reservoir Reservoir Colbrook Gong Gong Reservoir Reservoir

Kirks Wallace Bungaree Carngham Haddon Reservoir Gordon

Snake Valley Ballan Lal Lal Smythesdale Reservoir Pittong Buninyong Scarsdale Napoleons Skipton Linton

Enﬁeld

0 4.75 9.5 19 Kilometres

Dereel

Corindhap Rokewood

LEGEND

Water pipeline Water treatment plants Major roads Lakes and reservoirs Water district

8 PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS TABLE 1 SOURCES OF WATER

Water supply systems Population serviced # Source water Storage Treatment plant Water sampling locality

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca 1,445 Bung Bong Bore 1 ^ - Avoca WTP Bung Bong Bore 2 Ballarat Kirks Reservoir ^ White Swan Reservoir White Swan WTP Ballan 3,410 Gong Gong Reservoir Ballarat Central 47,165 Pincotts Reservoir Ballarat Nth/Nerrina 3,806 Cosgrave Reservoir Bungaree/Wallace 385 Bungaree Bore ^ Buninyong/Mt Helen 9,030 Superpipe Cardigan Village 1,287 Newlyn Reservoir Creswick 3,256 Enfield 539 Wilsons Reservoir Lal Lal Reservoir Lal Lal WTP Fiskville/Glenmore 92 Beales Reservoir Gordon/Mt Egerton 1,210 Moorabool Reservoir Haddon 5,214 Lal Lal 165 Ballarat West Bore 1 ^ Ballarat West Disinfection Linton 607 Ballarat West Bore 2 ^ Napoleons 836 Ballarat West Bore 3 ^ Sebastopol 11,230 Skipton 719 Smythesdale 1,045 Wendouree 33,856 Beaufort 1,782 Cave Hill Creek ^ Musical Gully Reservoir Beaufort WTP Troys Reservoir ^ Side Spring Creek ^ The Glut Raglan Bore Blackwood/Barrys Reef 763 Kyneton Creek Blackwood Basin Blackwood WTP Long Gully Creek 1 and 2 Blackwood Bore Clunes 2,156 Bore 1 - Clunes WTP Bore 2 Bore 3 Daylesford Wombat Reservoir - Daylesford WTP Daylesford High Level 2,618 Bullarto Reservoir Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn 3,839 Hepburn Reservoir Coomoora Bore Dean 48 Dean Bore - Dean Disinfection Forest Hill 1,144 Bore 1 - Forest Hill WTP Bore 1A Bore 2 Bore 3 Landsborough 321 Landsborough Bore 2 - Landsborough WTP Learmonth 321 Bore 1 - Learmonth Disinfection Bore 2 Lexton 227 Gordon Hill Bore - Lexton WTP Maryborough Tullaroop Reservoir Centenary Reservoir Maryborough WTP Alma 385 Evansford Reservoir Bet Bet 480 Talbot Reservoir Carisbrook 1,287 Moolort Bore 1 Daisy Hill 414 Moolort Bore 2 Majorca 207 Stoney Creek Bore ^ Maryborough 9,525 Talbot 614 Timor 216 Waubra 249 Bore 1 ^ - Waubra Disinfection Bore 2 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * 136 Amphitheatre Reservoir - - Amphitheatre Bore Raglan * 143 Cave Hill Creek ^ - - Side Spring Creek ^ The Glut Raglan Bore Redbank * 101 Redbank Reservoir ^ - - Redbank Bore 1 Redbank Bore 2

* Non–potable water supply system ^ Not used in 2019-20 # Calculated using ABS Census population data (2016) and adjusted for connections

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS 9 TABLE 2 RESERVOIR CAPACITY AND CURRENT LEVELS

Reservoir Capacity Percentage full as at Percentage full as at (megalitres) 30 June 2019 30 June 2020

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Avoca (Groundwater Source) - - -

Ballarat Beales Reservoir 415 68 35 Cosgrave Reservoir 680 100 74 Gong Gong Reservoir 1,902 75 39 Kirks Reservoir 400 72 85 Lal Lal Reservoir 59,549 (CHW share 35,670) ^^ 66 (CHW share 73) 84 (CHW share 90) Moorabool Reservoir 6,192 38 55 Newyln Reservoir 500 (CHW entitlement) ** - - Pincotts Reservoir 218 91 97 White Swan Reservoir 14,107 58 75 Wilsons Reservoir 1,010 29 14

Beaufort Musical Gully Reservoir 253 72 96 Troys Reservoir ^ 68 10 8

Blackwood/Barrys Reef Blackwood Basin 1 22 93 100 Blackwood Basin 2 15 96 100

Clunes (Groundwater Source) - - -

Daylesford Bullarto Reservoir 219 100 100 Hepburn Reservoir 30 100 100 Wombat Reservoir 548 100 87

Dean (Groundwater source) - - -

Forest Hill (Groundwater Source) - - -

Landsborough (Groundwater source) - - -

Learmonth (Groundwater Source) - - -

Lexton (Groundwater Source) - - -

Maryborough Centenary Reservoir 180 75 86 Evansford Reservoir 1,346 100 61 Talbot Reservoir 846 49 58 Tullaroop Reservoir 2,100 (CHW entitlement) **§ - -

Waubra (Groundwater Source) - - -

REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Amphitheatre * Amphitheatre Reservoir 70 45 48

Raglan * (Cave Hill to Musical Gully - - - Reservoir Pipeline)

Redbank * Redbank Reservoir ^ 132 4 0

* Non–potable water supply system ** CHW entitlements are determined by Goulburn-Murray Water allocations for these storages, Tullaroop capacity 72,950 ML § CHW Bulk Entitlement 1200 ML annual allocation and carryover of unused allocation from previous year of 900 ML ^ Not in use ^^ 7,086 ML Lal Lal Reservoir Environmental Reserve

10 PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Water treatment plants Dissolved Air Flotation and Filtration (DAFF) CHW has 15 water treatment plants. A water treatment Some waters contain coagulated matter which is lighter services agreement with Ballarat Water Pty Ltd is in place for and will not easily sink. For these supplies dissolved air six of these plants. Veolia Water operates the following water flotation and filtration is used. DAFF relies on the injection of treatment facilities on their behalf: microscopic air bubbles into the water stream, causing the flocculated particles to float to the surface of the filtration • Beaufort Water Treatment Plant tank. The particles are drawn off the surface of the filtration • Blackwood Water Treatment Plant tank and removed to waste. Clear water then passes down • Clunes Water Treatment Plant through filtering material in the bottom of the filtration tank, • Forest Hill Water Treatment Plant capturing any fine particles that were not removed by the air. • Lal Lal Water Treatment Plant This process is utilised at the White Swan, Lal Lal, Beaufort, Blackwood and Daylesford water treatment plants. • White Swan Water Treatment Plant A water treatment services agreement is in place with Ultrafiltration Veolia Water for the operation of the Maryborough Water Ultrafiltration is used to remove suspended solids and some Treatment Plant. colloidal matter from the source water. The water is pumped through a filter membrane trapping suspended solids in Treatment processes the process. The concentrate (material that does not pass CHW uses a number of different processes and technologies through the membrane) is periodically removed to waste to to treat water. The process used depends on the prevent the blocking of the membrane filters. characteristics of the water to be treated. The treatment The Lexton water treatment plant utilises membrane process and added substances are summarised in Table 3, ultrafiltration technology. and the processes are described below. Water softening Coagulation/flocculation Water softening, or dealkalisation, is a process used to remove Coagulation/flocculation is a complex process where a calcium and magnesium salts from the water to reduce the controlled amount of chemical coagulant is added into the hardness and hence the ‘scaling’ effect of the water. water to de-stabilise particles, allowing clumps to form (flocculation) and settle out of suspension. This occurs in a This process is utilised at the Clunes and Forest Hill water mixing tank prior to the filtration process. The particles are treatment plants. then easily removed during the sedimentation and filtration Ozonation stage. The type of filtration process used to remove the particles depends on the weight of the particles formed. Ozone pre-treatment is used specifically at the Clunes Water Treatment Plant to reduce the levels of iron and manganese The coagulation/flocculation process is utilised at water that can be present in the groundwater source. The process treatment plants at White Swan, Lal Lal, Beaufort, Blackwood, involves oxidation of soluble iron and manganese from Daylesford and Maryborough. the water, and removal during the filtration process. The Chemicals used for coagulation/flocculation at the water oxidising process also assists in minimising colour and odour treatment plants include: aluminium sulphate, aluminium causing sulphides. chlorohydrate, poly electrolyte and polyaluminium chloride. Reverse osmosis Sedimentation/filtration Reverse osmosis is used to remove dissolved salts from the Where the raw water quality allows large heavy particles (floc) source water. Pre-treated water is pumped at high pressure to be formed during the coagulation/flocculation process, through spiral wound membranes, trapping dissolved salts the water is further treated by the sedimentation process. in the process. The concentrate (material that does not pass The floc forms a blanket which continues to trap more through the membrane) is periodically removed to waste. The suspended particles. The particles sink to the bottom of the water passing through the membranes is extremely pure and sedimentation tank and are drawn off to waste. The clear is blended to maintain an acceptable salt balance in the water. water which flows to the surface of the sedimentation tank is The Avoca and Maryborough water treatment plants utilise collected and then passed through sand filters. Any particles reverse osmosis membrane technology. not removed in the sedimentation process are filtered out by the sand filter. The filters are washed regularly to remove the Electrodialysis reversal collected material to waste. Filtration of the water removes naturally occurring particulate material from the water Electrodialysis is used to remove dissolved salts from the prior to disinfection. The process improves the efficacy of source water. Water is transferred to a treatment unit and disinfection, assists with clarity, reduces the risk of taste and an electrical DC voltage is applied, removing dissolved salts odour, and ensures a consistent quality of supply. through special ion exchange membranes. The concentrate (material that passes through the membranes) is periodically This process is utilised at the Maryborough water removed to waste by reversing the charge or polarity across treatment plant. the membranes. This treatment process has the advantage of being robust, flexible and results in high product recoveries. The Landsborough water treatment plant utilises electrodialysis reversal membrane technology.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS 11 Added substances Disinfection

Soda ash or sodium hydroxide Chlorination To assist the water treatment process and to ensure the Chlorine is widely used throughout the world to disinfect pH level in filtered water is within a desirable target range, drinking water and control disease-causing organisms. The soda ash or sodium hydroxide is automatically added to the type of chlorine used at our plants is either chlorine gas or water in the treatment plant. Maintaining pH in the desired sodium hypochlorite. range optimises the efficacy of treatment and disinfection, Chlorination is utilised at the Avoca, Beaufort, Clunes, minimises the risk of corrosion/scaling and improves taste. Daylesford, Dean, Forest Hill, Landsborough, Learmonth, This process is utilised at the Avoca, White Swan, Lal Lexton and Waubra water treatment plants. Lal, Beaufort, Blackwood, Clunes, Daylesford, Forest Hill, Landsborough and Maryborough water treatment plants. Chloramination Chloramination is used throughout the world as a means Potassium permanganate of disinfecting drinking water to control disease-causing Potassium permanganate can be added to the water supply as organisms. Small amounts of chlorine gas and ammonia are required to reduce iron and manganese levels. When present added to the water to form chloramines, providing a relatively in higher concentrations, these metals can cause staining long-lasting process to safely disinfect water. of laundry and plumbing fixtures and contribute to ‘dirty Chloramination is utilised at the White Swan, Lal Lal and water’ events. Maryborough water treatment plants. Potassium permanganate dosing capability is currently available at the Beaufort, Blackwood, Daylesford, White Swan, Ultra-violet light Lal Lal and Maryborough water treatment plants. Ultra-violet (UV) light is an effective means of disinfection; however, efficacy is only at the point of application, as UV Powdered activated carbon treatment has no lasting residual. Effectiveness also relies on Powdered activated carbon can be added to the water supply the water having low turbidity as particulates minimise the as required to remove compounds that contribute to taste and amount of UV light penetration, hence potentially shielding odour issues, usually associated with higher levels of certain micro-organisms that could be present in the water. algae in raw water. UV disinfection is utilised at the Beaufort, Blackwood, Dean Powdered activated carbon dosing capability is currently and Maryborough water treatment plants. available at the Beaufort, Blackwood, Daylesford, White Swan, Lal Lal and Maryborough water treatment plants. Fluoridation In accordance with DHHS requirements, the Ballarat and district and the Maryborough and district water supplies are fluoridated. All other systems are currently non-fluoridated. Any fluoride present in these non-fluoridated systems is due to naturally occurring sources. Fluoridation occurs at the Lal Lal, White Swan and Maryborough water treatment plants. Distribution After water is filtered and disinfected, it is relayed to customers through a vast network of tanks, basins, pumps and pipes. CHW uses positive pressure and backflow prevention to ensure safe drinking water. Positive pressure directs contaminants away from the water supply system if leaks occur. CHW requires high-risk properties install a testable backflow prevention device before connecting to the water supply network.

12 PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS TABLE 3 TREATMENT PROCESSES AND ADDED SUBSTANCES FOR SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Water supply system Water sampling locality Treatment process/disinfection Added substances

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Reverse Osmosis Sodium Hydroxide Chlorination Chlorine Gas Antiscalant Ballarat Ballan Coagulation + Flocculation White Swan Treatment Plant Ballarat Central Dissolved Air Flotation Soda Ash Ballarat Nth/Nerrina Granular Media Filtration Aluminium Chlorohydrate Bungaree/Wallace Chloramination Poly Electrolyte Buninyong/Mt Helen Fluoridation Chlorine Gas Cardigan Village Aqueous Ammonia Creswick Fluorosilicic Acid Enfield Sodium Hydroxide ^ Fiskville/Glenmore Powder Activated Carbon ^ Gordon/Mt Egerton Potassium Permanganate ^ Haddon Lal Lal Coagulation + Flocculation Lal Lal Treatment Plant Linton Dissolved Air Flotation Soda Ash Napoleons Granular Media Filtration Aluminium Chlorohydrate Sebastopol Chloramination Poly Electrolyte Skipton Fluoridation Chlorine Gas Smythesdale Aqueous Ammonia Wendouree Fluorosilicic Acid Sodium Hydroxide ^ Powder Activated Carbon ^ Potassium Permanganate ^

Chloramination Ballarat West Disinfection Plant Fluoridation Chlorine Gas Aqueous Ammonia Fluorosilicic Acid Beaufort Beaufort Coagulation + Flocculation Polyaluminium Chloride Dissolved Air Flotation Sodium Hydroxide Granular Media Filtration Sodium Hypochlorite Ultra Violet (UV) Light Powder Activated Carbon ^ Chlorination Potassium Permanganate ^ Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Coagulation + Flocculation Aluminium Chlorohydrate Dissolved Air Flotation Poly Electrolyte Granular Media Filtration Sodium Hydroxide Ultra Violet (UV) Light Powder Activated Carbon ^ Potassium Permanganate ^ Clunes Clunes Ozonation Sodium Hydroxide Cartridge Filtration Chlorine Gas Dealkalisation (Ion Exchange) Ozone Gas Chlorination Daylesford Daylesford High Level Aeration Polyaluminium Chloride Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Coagulation + Flocculation Sodium Hydroxide Dissolved Air Flotation Chlorine Gas Granular Media Filtration Poly Electrolyte ^ Chlorination Potassium Permanganate ^ Powder Activated Carbon ^ Dean Dean Chlorination Sodium Hypochlorite Ultra Violet (UV) Light Forest Hill Forest Hill Dealkalisation (Ion Exchange) Sodium Hydroxide Chlorination Chlorine Gas Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Pressure Filtration Sodium Hydroxide Electrodialysis Reversal Sodium Hypochlorite Chlorination Hydrochloric Acid Antiscalant Learmonth Learmonth Chlorination Sodium Hypochlorite Lexton Lexton Membrane Ultrafiltration Chlorine Gas Chlorination Maryborough Alma Prechlorination Soda Ash Bet Bet Coagulation + Flocculation Aluminium Sulphate Carisbrook Sedimentation/Clarification Poly Electrolyte Daisy Hill Granular Media Filtration Chlorine Gas Majorca Reverse Osmosis Aqueous Ammonia Maryborough Ultra Violet (UV) Light Fluorosilicic Acid Talbot Chloramination Sodium Hypochlorite ^ Timor Fluoridation Antiscalant ^ Powder Activated Carbon ^ Potassium Permanganate ^ Waubra Waubra Chlorination Chlorine Gas REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * Amphitheatre No Treatment Raglan * Raglan No Treatment Redbank * Redbank No Treatment

* Non–potable water supply system ^ Added substance if required

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 2 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS 13 PART 3 CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

Complaints In some circumstances, CHW obtain water samples for testing in our National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) During 2019-20, CHW experienced a decrease in the number independent accredited laboratory which has been servicing of customer complaints compared to the previous reporting the Victorian water industry for more than 40 years. year. All water quality contacts are recorded as complaints in accordance with the requirements of the Essential Services Monthly complaints data is reported to senior management Commission (ESC). and systemic matters are addressed at several levels. As a result, CHW has been able to decrease the number of The Customer Service team triage contacts relating to customer complaints through improved policy/procedures, water quality and report via a service request to the Works asset management, community engagement and staff training. Management Centre for immediate action. All customer complaints are recorded and tracked in a corporate database. Contacts that are investigated and are conclusively found to CHW's Customer Resolutions team is notified simultaneously be unrelated to CHW’s water infrastructure, operations or to ensure all contacts are followed through service delivery are excluded from reporting figures. to a satisfactory resolution. During 2019-20, no significant trends in either the category or Complex complaints are managed directly by the Customer location of water quality complaints were evident. Resolution team and/or the Co-ordinator Drinking Water Compliance. These complaints, which may relate to public health, are managed in accordance with CHW business escalation processes.

TABLE 4 COMPLAINTS COMPARISON 2019-20 TO PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIODS

Type of complaint Number of complaints Number of complaints Number of complaints Comparison with 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 previous year 2018-19 (% change)

Colour 60 60 69 0 Taste or odour 19 36 54 -47 Other 4 20 18 -80 Total 83 116 141 -28

14 PART 3 CUSTOMER FEEDBACK TABLE 5 COMPLAINTS BY WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM 2019-20

Water supply system Colour Taste Other Total Complaints per or odour complaints 100 population serviced

Amphitheatre # 1 0 0 1 0.73 Avoca 0 0 0 0 0.00 Ballarat 44 13 2 59 0.05 Beaufort 0 0 0 0 0.00 Blackwood 0 0 0 0 0.00 Clunes 5 3 1 9 0.42 Daylesford 4 1 0 5 0.08 Dean 0 0 0 0 0.00 Forest Hill 1 1 0 2 0.17 Landsborough 0 0 1 1 0.31 Learmonth 0 0 0 0 0.00 Lexton 0 0 0 0 0.00 Maryborough 4 1 0 5 0.04 Raglan # 0 0 0 0 0.00 Redbank # 1 0 0 1 0.99 Waubra 0 0 0 0 0.00 Total 60 19 4 83 0.05

# Non-potable water supply system

Complaints categories and our response Taste or odour Taste and odour may vary depending on which catchment the Colour water is sourced. Discoloured water can be caused by sediment and naturally Another contributing factor is the disinfection process, occurring organic matter in the water mains. These sediments which is an essential part of the treatment to deliver safe can be resuspended during high flow events such as main drinking water. Some customers are more sensitive to breaks. Sediments can be cleared through systematic chlorinous taste and odour, and CHW provides advice to assist flushing of the water mains or other targeted mains these customers. cleaning programs. Other taste and odour impacts may arise in the customer’s Discolouration may also be caused by corrosion of galvanised internal pipework due to rusting, corrosion, sediment build-up iron or copper in a customer’s internal plumbing system. or stagnant water. Brown water, caused by rusting pipes, can be managed by customers through replacing the affected pipes, flushing Other complaints within the property and/or seeking advice from a reputable, licensed plumber. Blue or green water is caused by the Other water quality complaints vary, but for example may corrosion of internal copper piping and generally the water include those relating to skin irritation or alleged illness, discolouration is accompanied by a metallic taste. effects on hair, water leaving deposits or stains, and effects on aquariums. White water (milky or cloudy appearance) is typically due to fine air bubbles dispersed in the water. This can occur when air is trapped in the pipes after repair works and can be rectified by flushing.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 3 CUSTOMER FEEDBACK 15 Customer engagement Customer communications As part of CHW's Let’s Talk Water campaign and Pricing This section provides a summary of customer or regulatory Review objectives, CHW continued its community body notifications that related to water quality. Notifications engagement program with smaller systems and communities. issued can include: Communications and engagement with these communities • Water quality notices is ongoing and during the past year, CHW has maintained the • Reminder water quality notices website community portal. The portal has provided Community Updates for Clunes in November 2019 and Waubra in • Water supply update notifications (includes water quality, December 2019, and as well as information regarding the permanent water saving rules, restrictions and follow-up Clunes community presentations held in October 2019. information) The Clunes updates provided information relating to the community’s feedback about local water quality, CHW’s investigations into the system’s water quality, the actions undertaken so far by CHW and plans to further improve the quality of water supplied. The Waubra water quality improvement plan updates included the progression of the preferred system improvements with further details on the proposed project concept design being made available to the community for feedback.

TABLE 6 CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS ISSUED

Water supply system Notification type Date issued Action

Amphitheatre (regulated) Customer letter 2 December 2019 Bi-annual reminder that water is not supplied for drinking purposes 1 June 2020 Bi-annual reminder that water is not supplied for drinking purposes February 2020 Notification of increased blue-green algae levels in reservoir supply Ballarat and district Customer letter December 2019 Notice of mains cleaning works in the Enfield zone January 2020 Notice of mains cleaning works in the Miners Rest and Wendouree area February 2020 Notice of temporary disinfection change for Enfield, Dereel, Corindhap and Rokewood Blackwood and Barrys Reef Customer letter July 2019 Notice of bi-annual mains cleaning program November 2019 Notice of bi-annual mains cleaning program April 2020 Notice of bi-annual mains cleaning program Clunes Customer letter December 2019 Notice of mains cleaning works Landsborough Customer letter January 2020 Notice of mains cleaning works in the Navarre area Raglan (regulated) Customer letter 2 December 2019 Bi-annual reminder that water is not supplied for drinking purposes 1 June 2020 Bi-annual reminder that water is not supplied for drinking purposes Redbank (regulated) Customer letter 2 December 2019 Bi-annual reminder that water is not supplied for drinking purposes 1 June 2020 Bi-annual reminder that water is not supplied for drinking purposes Supply By Agreement Customer letter 2 December 2019 Bi-annual reminder that water is not supplied for drinking purposes raw water customers 1 June 2020 Bi-annual reminder that water is not supplied for drinking purposes (various systems) Other Clunes 24 October 2019 Community forum held in Clunes (two session times) Stakeholders November 2019 Community updates on CHW website community portal Waubra December 2019 Community updates on CHW website community portal Stakeholders CHW website notifications Live Map 2019-20 year Maintenance works highlighted live onto website for customers

16 PART 3 CUSTOMER FEEDBACK PART 4 WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Overview CHW has invested resources into the continued development of standard operating procedures, and associated forms and CHW continually strives to improve the integrity of its water checklists designed to assist in the management of water supply catchments, water supply systems and associated quality. All these documents become auditable elements infrastructure. Independent research and development is also under the Act. undertaken into drinking water quality. Staff maintain an awareness of developments in the water Audit of risk management plan industry and use research findings to further improve the quality and safety of CHW's water supply. In March 2020, DHHS, under Section 11 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003, required CHW to have its risk management Risk management plan audited by an approved external auditor. The audit covered the period from 21 March 2018 to the date The Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 specifies that a risk of the audit, and was completed by Karen Pither of Viridis management plan must be developed to address any risk to Consultants Pty Ltd. human health that arises from the presence in water of: The audit found that CHW fully complied with the obligations • Pathogenic micro-organisms imposed by the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003. No non- • Inorganic chemicals, including inorganic conformances were identified during the audit, and in the disinfection by-products philosophy of continuous improvement, one opportunity for • Organic chemicals, including pesticides, pesticide residues improvement (OFI) was proposed. and organic disinfection by-products See Table 46 for details of the OFI (appendices). • Radiological parameters A copy of the audit certificate is provided in the appendices. • Algal toxins The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines is a technical System auditing reference document which we utilise to assess the CHW completed an ongoing program of self-audits during microbiological, chemical, physical and radiological the reporting period to ensure continual performance performance of the drinking water we supply to consumers. improvement as part of routine business operations. If a parameter is detected at concentrations above specified guideline values in any sample, then any of the following Verification and monitoring program protocols may be initiated, subject to long-term and short- term impacts: CHW is required to undertake water quality compliance monitoring in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act • Immediate operational corrective actions undertaken in 2003 and Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015. close consultation with DHHS and associated regulatory guidance notes, when required Regulatory testing requirements • Referral to standard operating procedures and/or incident Schedule 2 of the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 response plans specifies the following mandatory testing of drinking water • Consideration to water quality improvement programs quality standards in water sampling localities: through capital investment • Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a subgroup of coliforms, which The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 also specify the are a group of organisms that cannot reproduce outside need for the Corporation to develop steps and initiatives to the intestinal tract of warm blooded animals, but can address aesthetic variations to water quality including taste, survive better than other pathogens in water. The presence odour, pH, colour and turbidity. of E. coli is a reliable health indicator of the presence of contamination from human or animal waste. Its presence CHW has a formal group that meets regularly to assess taste most likely indicates a breach of a water quality barrier or and odour for a number of water supply systems, and undertakes contamination during distribution of the water. a routine water quality monitoring program to consider turbidity, pH and colour (refer to Tables 11-13, 21 and 23). • Trihalomethanes (THMs) are a range of organic compounds formed when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring Risk management plan organic matter in water supplies. • Turbidity describes the cloudiness of the water and is In 2019-20, CHW continued to regularly review and update its caused by the presence of suspended material such as risk management plan for all water supply systems as required clay, silt and finely divided organic material. Levels less by the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003. than 1 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) are desirable for effective disinfection.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 4 WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT 17 Algae monitoring Control measures CHW also completes an algae monitoring program across all reservoirs. It is a comprehensive and flexible program Critical control points that facilitates early detection and has sufficient capacity to In line with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and escalate matters accordingly. The program consists of three required under the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015, key activities: CHW has identified critical control points at its water • Visual observations, conducted at least weekly treatment plants and water disinfection plants to manage critical operational activities that eliminate or reduce hazards • Operational observations, where staff utilise microscope in drinking water to safe and/or acceptable levels. techniques to identify algal species and relative abundance. This monitoring is undertaken at various frequencies Trained staff depending on the time of year and the potential for algae issues Key operational staff underwent water quality risk management training enabling internal development, • Laboratory testing, where algal species are identified and assessment and ongoing review of water quality risk abundance is quantified at various frequencies depending management plans and systems. on the time of year, and to confirm potential algal detections Trained and skilled staff are vital to protecting and maintaining Notifications to DELWP and DHHS are made in accordance high quality water, therefore improving employee skills with the Statement of Obligations and as per the Blue-Green and contractor awareness remain high priorities. CHW Algae Circular. is committed to improving employees’ awareness and A number of minor Blue-Green Algae (BGA) incidents involvement in drinking water quality management issues. occurred over the 2019-20 financial year including Competency and awareness based training for relevant staff Amphitheatre, Hepburn, Evansford and Tullaroop Reservoirs. in 2019-20 included: Reporting to DELWP was undertaken as required. No reporting to DHHS was necessary. • Catchment water quality procedure training for field services staff Sampling • Use of mobile applications for catchment asset CHW's 38 water sampling localities are tested at the source, management and condition assessment at treatment facilities, at tanks throughout the distribution • Use of online digital tools for catchment hazard reporting system and at specified customer taps, for microbiological, and trend analysis physical, chemical, radiological, health-related organic • Use of mobile digital technology to quantify and assess compounds and pesticide parameters. catchment and environmental assets The actual testing regime at each of these four key locations • Chlorine awareness refresher training course will vary depending upon the requirements of the monitoring • Chlorine gas and hypochlorite training course program, which is reviewed annually. • Granular media filtration training course Testing at customer taps within the water sampling localities • Dissolved air filtration training course is conducted on a structured, but random, basis in accordance with the specified regulations. • Water treatment operations training course The frequency of testing varies for each locality according to • Training in turbidity and chlorine monitoring within the population and risk. The geographic locations of designated distribution system for maintenance employees customer sampling taps are selected to ensure representative • Training related to treated water tank inspections; both samples are collected across the water sampling locality. for routine inspections and inspections after extreme weather events Monitoring program review • Case study based water quality risks and mitigation CHW completed a review of its water quality monitoring training for catchments, water resource and network program in 2019-20. maintenance field staff This incorporated any changes to the Safe Drinking Water • Water Industry Operators Association conference Act 2003, Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 and the • Water Industry Operators Association Network Operator Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, as well as any identified Development Program risks to water supply systems. • Team based internal presentations on water quality The review includes the number and location of monitoring and regulations sites, sampling frequencies and inclusion of additional • Water quality procedural updates and procedure monitoring for specific health and aesthetic parameters, awareness training making for a more robust system and ensuring the water quality supplied to customers is safe to drink. Maintenance programs

Laboratory testing CHW carried out maintenance programs on assets to maintain and improve water quality. These include CHW has within its resources a NATA registered laboratory to programmed mains flushing and air scouring, tank and basin perform the majority of routine and non-routine testing. cleaning, as well as treatment plant asset maintenance and NATA accreditation ensures testing is conducted according replacement programs. to strict guidelines using quality assurance systems, and provides a high level of independence. The data supplied by Continual improvement the accredited laboratory is used for all compliance reporting. A review of CHW's risk management plan resulted in further In addition to this independent monitoring, CHW conducts additions to the water quality improvement plan in a continued operational testing to further extend the monitoring of effort to improve performance in future years. water supplies.

18 PART 4 WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Performance monitoring and Compliance with drinking water compliance criteria quality standards During 2019-20, CHW scheduled specified microbiological CHW endeavours to maintain a high and consistent level and chemical performance monitoring in accordance with the of compliance with all standards in the Safe Drinking Water Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015. Regulations 2015 and guideline values in the Australian CHW undertakes a comprehensive water quality monitoring Drinking Water Guidelines. Details of performance are program that includes collecting treated water samples from available in Tables 7-43 of this report. entry points to the distribution system. Samples are also taken from network treated water storage tanks and from a number Compliance performance summary of customer tap sites at the point of supply to the customer. During 2019-20, no non-compliances occurred in CHW's Sampling can be summarised into two parts: treated water drinking water supplies. Any non-compliances are dealt from any storage/entry point, and customer taps. Most with in accordance with established procedures and parameters listed in Tables 7-43 are tested at customer tap regulatory requirements. This may include site investigations, locations (unless otherwise specified) and the data does not re-sampling, consideration of disinfectant levels, flushing, include non-routine monitoring programs. identifying areas for operational or capital improvements, and informing DHHS. A review of aesthetic and health-related testing and monitoring needs is completed annually across all systems. All results complied with the water quality standards The monitoring frequency is determined through an as defined in Regulation 12 of the Safe Drinking Water understanding of the actual or potential risk to consumers. Regulations 2015. CHW determines the frequency of testing, which is There was one Trihalomethane result not reported in the Bet representative of the water supplied to customers, on a case- Bet water sampling locality (Maryborough supply system) as by-case basis for each water sampling locality. described on Pages 24 and 25. CHW also conducts organic compound, pesticide and The following water supply systems did not meet the ‘good’ radiological sampling. Results feature in Tables 41-43. range defined in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for the following parameters: Water testing analysis • Total dissolved solids – Waubra Included in the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and the Safe • Hardness – Waubra Drinking Water Regulations 2015 is mandatory National Details of all results can be found in Tables 7-43. Association of Testing Authorities accreditation for laboratories. This includes a requirement to maintain qualified staff that are competent in the relevant field of analysis. Understanding concentration and limits Laboratory services are provided by CHW's onsite In most cases, standard limits are expressed as independent laboratory. The laboratory service holds NATA concentrations, which is the amount of substance dissolved accreditation in the chemical and biological field. in a certain volume of water. This allows for meaningful comparisons between different samples. CHW and its laboratory are signatories to a service level agreement which specifies the provision of For example, the symbol ‘mg/L’, widely used in this report, laboratory services. means milligrams per litre and indicates how many milligrams (a thousandth of a gram) of the substance is dissolved in every litre of water. Another way of expressing mg/L is parts per million. As is evident, water quality is concerned with measuring minute concentrations of substances. The symbol ‘<’ is used to denote ‘less than’. As an example, < 0.05 mg/L means that the concentration of a parameter tested in water should be less than 0.05 milligrams per litre (0.05 parts per million). Note that the following tables generally do not contain source water data unless explicitly stated.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 19 TABLE 7 Escherichia coli (E. coli) – CUSTOMER TAPS

Standard All samples of drinking water collected are found to contain no E. coli per 100mL, with the exception of any false positive sample (SDWR). Description Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a subgroup of coliforms which are a group of organisms that cannot reproduce outside the intestinal tract of warm blooded mammals, but can survive better than other pathogens in water. The presence of E. coli is a reliable health indicator of the presence of recent contamination from human or animal waste. Its presence most likely indicates a breach of a water quality barrier or contamination during the distribution of the water.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max result No. detections No. samples system of sampling samples (orgs/ and where 100 mL) investigations standard conducted not met (s. 22) (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Weekly 53 0 0 0 Ballarat Ballan Weekly 52 0 0 0 Ballarat Central Weekly # 155 0 0 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Weekly 52 0 0 0 Bungaree/Wallace Weekly 52 0 0 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Weekly # 72 0 0 0 Cardigan Village Weekly 53 0 0 0 Creswick Weekly 52 0 0 0 Enfield Weekly 52 0 0 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Weekly 52 0 0 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Weekly 52 0 0 0 Haddon Weekly 53 0 0 0 Lal Lal Weekly 53 0 0 0 Linton Weekly 53 0 0 0 Napoleons Weekly 52 0 0 0 Sebastopol Weekly # 72 0 0 0 Skipton Weekly 53 0 0 0 Smythesdale Weekly 53 0 0 0 Wendouree Weekly # 121 0 0 0 Beaufort Beaufort Weekly 53 0 0 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Weekly 52 0 0 0 Clunes Clunes Weekly 52 0 0 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Weekly 52 0 0 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Weekly 52 0 0 0 Dean Dean Weekly 53 0 0 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Weekly 53 0 0 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Weekly 53 0 0 0 Learmonth Learmonth Weekly 52 0 0 0 Lexton Lexton Weekly 53 0 0 0 Maryborough Alma Weekly 52 0 0 0 Bet Bet Weekly 52 0 0 0 Carisbrook Weekly 52 0 0 0 Daisy Hill Weekly 52 0 0 0 Majorca Weekly 52 0 0 0 Maryborough Weekly # 72 0 0 0 Talbot Weekly 52 0 0 0 Timor Weekly 52 0 0 0 Waubra Waubra Weekly 52 0 0 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * Twice Monthly 24 2 N/A N/A Raglan * Twice Monthly 24 120 N/A N/A Redbank * Twice Monthly 24 0 N/A N/A

* Non-potable water supply system # Weekly sampling with increases for population (ADWG, Section 9.5.2)

20 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 1 Escherichia coli (E. coli) TRENDING – CUSTOMER TAPS

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: All samples of drinking water collected to contain no coli per 100 mL 2019-20 100

80 coli

20 Percentage samples with no 10

Ballan Lal Lal Linton Enﬁeld Haddon Skipton Creswick Napoleons Sebastopol Wendouree Smythesdale Ballarat Central Cardigan Village Bungaree / Wallace Fiskville / Glenmore Buninyong / Mt Helen Gordon / Mt Egerton Ballarat North / Nerrina Water sampling locality

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: All samples of drinking water collected to contain no coli per 100 mL 2019-20 100

80 coli

20 Percentage samples with no 10

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Blackwood / Barrys Reef Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Compliance summary Refer to Table 7. Regulated (non-potable) water supply systems have not been included in this analysis. All potable systems have demonstrated compliance with the SDWR criteria.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 21 TABLE 8 Escherichia coli (E. coli) – ENTRY POINTS

Water supply Entry point sampling location Frequency No. of Max result No. detections No. samples system of sampling samples (orgs/ and where 100 mL) investigations standard conducted not met (s. 22) (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca CWS Weekly 53 0 0 0 Ballarat Lal Lal CWS Twice Weekly 105 0 0 0 White Swan CWS Basins Twice Weekly 105 0 0 0 Beaufort Beaufort CWS Weekly 53 0 0 0 Blackwood Blackwood CWS Weekly 52 0 0 0 Clunes Clunes CWS Weekly 52 0 0 0 Daylesford Daylesford Low Level Basin Weekly 52 0 0 0 Dean Dean CWS Weekly 53 0 0 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill CWS Weekly 53 0 0 0 Landsborough Landsborough CWS Weekly 53 0 0 0 Learmonth Learmonth CWS Weekly 52 0 0 0 Lexton Lexton CWS Weekly 53 0 0 0 Maryborough Maryborough CWS Weekly 52 0 0 0 Waubra Waubra CWS Tanks Weekly 52 0 0 0

Compliance summary All potable entry point samples have demonstrated compliance with the SDWR criteria. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

22 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 9 Escherichia coli (E. coli) – NETWORK TREATED WATER STORAGES

Standard All samples of drinking water collected are found to contain no E. coli per 100mL, with the exception of any false positive sample (SDWR). Description Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a subgroup of coliforms which are a group of organisms which cannot reproduce outside the intestinal tract of warm blooded mammals, but can survive better than other pathogens in water. The presence of E. coli is a reliable health indicator of the presence of recent contamination from human or animal waste. Its presence most likely indicates a breach of a water quality barrier or contamination during the distribution of the water.

Water supply Network treated water Frequency No. of Max result No. detections No. samples system storage of sampling 1 samples (orgs/ and where 100 mL) investigations standard conducted not met (s. 22) (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Ballarat Ballarat North Tanks Weekly 51 0 0 0 Ballan Tank 2 Weekly 48 0 0 0 Ballarat Road Basin Weekly 51 0 0 0 Buninyong Tank Weekly 3 11 0 0 0 Cardigan Village Tank Weekly 52 0 0 0 Dereel Break Pressure Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Enfield Basin Weekly 51 0 0 0 Gordon Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Green Hill Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Hillview Road Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Lincoln Basin Weekly 51 0 0 0 Linton Basin Weekly 52 0 0 0 Mahers Road Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Mortchup Road Tank Weekly 52 0 0 0 Mount Egerton Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Mount Helen Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Mount Rowan Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Recreation Road Tank 4 Weekly 42 0 0 0 Smythesdale Basin Weekly 52 0 0 0 Tinworth Avenue Tank 5 Weekly 27 0 0 0 Wallace Tank (South) Weekly 51 0 0 0 Warrenheip Basin Weekly 51 0 0 0 Wilson Street Tank Weekly 51 0 0 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Basin Weekly 51 0 0 0 Forest Hill Smeaton Tanks Weekly 52 0 0 0

1 Samples not taken over the Christmas/New Year period in accordance with the documented monitoring program 2 Ballan Tank taken offline for maintenance from 10 to 20 July and 18 to 26 October 2019 3 Buninyong Tank is typically taken offline during low demand periods of the year 4 Recreation Road Tank taken offline for maintenance from 28 April 2020 5 Tinworth Avenue Tank taken offline for maintenance from 11 April to 11 December 2019

Compliance summary All potable tank samples have demonstrated compliance with the SDWR criteria. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 23 TABLE 10 TRIHALOMETHANES

Standard Must not exceed 0.25 mg/L (SDWR). Description Trihalomethanes (THMs) are a range of organic compounds formed when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in water supplies.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Mean No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Monthly 12 0.018 0.010 0 Ballarat Ballan Monthly 12 0.065 0.048 0 Ballarat Central Monthly 12 0.047 0.037 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Monthly 12 0.039 0.033 0 Bungaree/Wallace Monthly 12 0.075 0.052 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Monthly 12 0.063 0.048 0 Cardigan Village Monthly 12 0.046 0.038 0 Creswick Monthly 12 0.035 0.029 0 Enfield Monthly 12 0.058 0.029 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Monthly 12 0.069 0.052 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Monthly 12 0.064 0.053 0 Haddon Monthly 12 0.051 0.046 0 Lal Lal Monthly 12 0.058 0.046 0 Linton Monthly 12 0.044 0.039 0 Napoleons Monthly 12 0.059 0.049 0 Sebastopol Monthly 12 0.054 0.046 0 Skipton Monthly 12 0.053 0.048 0 Smythesdale Monthly 12 0.045 0.037 0 Wendouree Monthly 12 0.052 0.033 0 Beaufort Beaufort Monthly 12 0.059 0.050 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Clunes Clunes Monthly 12 0.240 0.149 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Monthly 12 0.056 0.037 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Monthly 12 0.050 0.036 0 Dean Dean Monthly 12 0.036 0.014 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Monthly 12 0.012 0.004 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Monthly 12 0.051 0.030 0 Learmonth Learmonth Monthly 12 0.008 0.005 0 Lexton Lexton Monthly 12 0.052 0.026 0 Maryborough Alma Monthly 12 0.055 0.035 0 Bet Bet Monthly 11^ 0.057 0.035 0 Carisbrook Monthly 12 0.054 0.034 0 Daisy Hill Monthly 12 0.055 0.034 0 Majorca Monthly 12 0.058 0.036 0 Maryborough Monthly 12 0.055 0.033 0 Talbot Monthly 12 0.056 0.036 0 Timor Monthly 12 0.057 0.036 0 Waubra Waubra Monthly 12 0.006 0.004 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - - Raglan * - - - - - Redbank * - - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable ^ Sample taken, provided to laboratory and analysed, but no result reported due to test conditions not meeting laboratory quality control requirements – hence one less result for February 2020

24 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 2 TRIHALOMETHANES TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.25 mg/L Maximum values used 2019-20 0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10 Trihalomethanes (mg/L) 0.05

0.00

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.25 mg/L Maximum values used 2019-20 0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10 Trihalomethanes (mg/L) 0.05

0.00

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Trending summary Elevated trihalomethane (THM) results from the 2017-18 financial year in the Ballarat water supply system were due to a planned temporary change to free chlorine to mitigate nitrification effects. THM levels returned to those normally observed at the completion of the nitrification mitigation program when the disinfection mode was returned to chloramination.

Compliance summary Refer to Table 10. All systems sampled for THMs have demonstrated compliance with the SDWR criteria. There was one THM result not reported in the Bet Bet water sampling locality (Maryborough supply system) due to a power failure in laboratory equipment during analysis. A resample was taken, but communication errors lead to no repeat analysis from the locality. Improvement opportunities in communication with the external laboratory provider have since been implemented.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 25 TABLE 11 TURBIDITY – CUSTOMER TAPS

Standard Ninety-fifth (95th) percentile of drinking water samples collected in preceding 12 months must be less than or equal to 5.0 NTU (SDWR). Description Turbidity describes the cloudiness of the water and is caused by the presence of suspended material such as clay, silt and finely divided organic material. Levels less than 1 NTU are desirable for effective disinfection.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max 95th Standard met system of sampling samples (NTU) percentile (s. 18) (NTU) Yes/No DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Weekly 53 0.4 0.3 Yes Ballarat Ballan Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Ballarat Central Weekly # 155 0.6 0.3 Yes Ballarat North/Nerrina Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Bungaree/Wallace Weekly 52 0.5 0.3 Yes Buninyong/Mt Helen Weekly # 72 0.4 0.3 Yes Cardigan Village Weekly 53 0.4 0.3 Yes Creswick Weekly 52 0.8 0.5 Yes Enfield Weekly 52 0.8 0.4 Yes Fiskville/Glenmore Weekly 52 0.5 0.3 Yes Gordon/Mt Egerton Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Haddon Weekly 53 2.1 0.5 Yes Lal Lal Weekly 53 0.6 0.3 Yes Linton Weekly 53 0.3 0.3 Yes Napoleons Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Sebastopol Weekly # 72 0.4 0.3 Yes Skipton Weekly 53 0.4 0.4 Yes Smythesdale Weekly 53 0.5 0.3 Yes Wendouree Weekly # 121 0.5 0.3 Yes Beaufort Beaufort Weekly 53 0.8 0.2 Yes Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Weekly 52 2.7 1.5 Yes Clunes Clunes Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Daylesford Daylesford High Level Weekly 52 1.0 0.4 Yes Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Weekly 52 0.5 0.3 Yes Dean Dean Weekly 53 3.9 0.7 Yes Forest Hill Forest Hill Weekly 53 0.4 0.3 Yes Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Weekly 53 0.5 0.3 Yes Learmonth Learmonth Weekly 52 0.5 0.2 Yes Lexton Lexton Weekly 53 1.4 0.3 Yes Maryborough Alma Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Bet Bet Weekly 52 0.5 0.3 Yes Carisbrook Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Daisy Hill Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Majorca Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Maryborough Weekly # 72 0.4 0.3 Yes Talbot Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Timor Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Waubra Waubra Weekly 52 0.2 0.2 Yes REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * Twice Monthly 24 5.8 5.5 N/A Raglan * Twice Monthly 24 7.9 6.8 N/A Redbank * Twice Monthly 24 230.0 175.5 N/A

* Non-potable water supply system # Weekly sampling with increases for population (ADWG, Section 9.5.2)

26 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 3 TURBIDITY TRENDING – CUSTOMER TAPS

2017-18 Standard: 95th percentile of drinking water samples collected 2018-19 in the preceding 12 months must be less than or equal to 5.0 NTU 2019-20 5.0

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0 Turbidity – 95th percentile (NTU) 0.5

0.0

2017-18 Standard: 95th percentile of drinking water samples collected 2018-19 in the preceding 12 months must be less than or equal to 5.0 NTU 2019-20 5.0

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0 Turbidity – 95th percentile (NTU) 0.5

0.0

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Blackwood / Barrys Reef Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Compliance summary Refer to Table 11. Regulated (non-potable) water supply systems have not been included in this analysis. All drinking water systems sampled for turbidity were compliant.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 27 TABLE 12 TURBIDITY – ENTRY POINTS

Water supply Entry point sampling location Frequency No. of Max 95th Standard met system of sampling # samples (NTU) percentile ^ (s. 18) (NTU) Yes/No DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca CWS Weekly 53 0.2 0.2 Yes Ballarat Lal Lal CWS Twice Weekly 105 0.6 0.3 Yes White Swan CWS Basins Twice Weekly 105 0.4 0.3 Yes Beaufort Beaufort CWS Weekly 53 0.3 0.2 Yes Blackwood Blackwood CWS Weekly 52 0.3 0.2 Yes Clunes Clunes CWS Weekly 52 0.3 0.2 Yes Daylesford Daylesford Low Level Basin Weekly 52 0.5 0.3 Yes Dean Dean CWS Monthly 12 0.9 0.7 Yes Forest Hill Forest Hill CWS Weekly 53 0.3 0.3 Yes Landsborough Landsborough CWS Weekly 53 0.2 0.2 Yes Learmonth Learmonth CWS Monthly 12 0.2 0.2 Yes Lexton Lexton CWS Weekly 53 0.3 0.2 Yes Maryborough Maryborough CWS Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Waubra Waubra CWS Tanks Monthly 12 0.2 0.2 Yes

^ For sample numbers over 18, an exclusive percentile function in a commercial software program is used, otherwise an inclusive function is used # Groundwater systems are lower risk for turbidity, so are sampled less frequently in accordance with the documented sampling program

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for turbidity were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

28 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 13 TURBIDITY – NETWORK TREATED WATER STORAGES

Water supply Network treated water Frequency No. of Max 95th Standard met system storage of sampling samples (NTU) percentile ^ (s. 18) (NTU) Yes/No DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Ballarat Ballarat North Tanks Monthly 12 0.3 0.3 Yes Ballan Tank Monthly 12 0.3 0.2 Yes Ballarat Road Basin Monthly 12 0.4 0.3 Yes Buninyong Tank Monthly 1 3 0.6 0.5 Yes Cardigan Village Tank Monthly 12 0.5 0.4 Yes Dereel Break Pressure Tank Monthly 12 0.3 0.3 Yes Enfield Basin Monthly 13 0.4 0.4 Yes Gordon Tank Monthly 12 0.3 0.2 Yes Green Hill Tank Monthly 12 0.4 0.4 Yes Hillview Road Tank Monthly 12 0.9 0.6 Yes Lincoln Basin Monthly 12 0.7 0.4 Yes Linton Basin Monthly 12 1.5 0.8 Yes Mahers Road Tank Monthly 12 0.3 0.3 Yes Mortchup Road Tank Monthly 12 0.7 0.7 Yes Mount Egerton Tank Monthly 12 0.3 0.2 Yes Mount Helen Tank Monthly 12 0.4 0.4 Yes Mount Rowan Tank Monthly 12 0.5 0.5 Yes Recreation Road Tank 2 Monthly 10 0.2 0.2 Yes Smythesdale Basin Monthly 12 1.3 0.7 Yes Tinworth Avenue Tank 3 Monthly 6 0.3 0.3 Yes Wallace Tank (South) Monthly 12 0.5 0.4 Yes Warrenheip Basin Monthly 12 0.2 0.2 Yes Wilson Street Tank Monthly 12 0.3 0.2 Yes Daylesford Daylesford High Level Basin Monthly 12 0.3 0.3 Yes Forest Hill Smeaton Tanks Monthly 12 0.2 0.2 Yes

^ For sample numbers over 18, an exclusive percentile function in a commercial software program is used, otherwise an inclusive function is used 1 Buninyong Tank is typically taken offline during low demand periods of the year 2 Recreation Road Tank taken offline for maintenance from 28 April 2020 3 Tinworth Avenue Tank taken offline for maintenance from 11 April to 11 December 2019

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for turbidity were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident. An additional sample was taken at the Enfield Basin due to a laboratory scheduling error.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 29 TABLE 14 FLUORIDE

Standard Less than 1.5 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Mean result must not exceed 1.0 mg/L (Health [Fluoridation] Act 1973). Description Fluoride is added to the Ballarat and district and Maryborough and district supplies. Fluoride detections in other systems are from naturally occurring sources only.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Operating Max Mean No. samples system of sampling samples target (mg/L) (mg/L) where (mg/L) standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Annually 1 - 0.03 0.03 - Ballarat Ballan Weekly 52 0.9 0.95 0.88 0 Ballarat Central Weekly 53 0.9 0.95 0.88 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Weekly 52 0.9 0.97 0.89 0 Bungaree/Wallace Weekly 52 0.9 0.95 0.88 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Weekly 52 0.9 0.96 0.88 0 Cardigan Village Weekly 53 0.9 0.97 0.88 0 Creswick Weekly 52 0.9 0.97 0.88 0 Enfield Weekly 52 0.9 0.96 0.88 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Weekly 52 0.9 0.98 0.88 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Weekly 52 0.9 0.97 0.88 0 Haddon Weekly 53 0.9 0.95 0.88 0 Lal Lal Weekly 53 0.9 0.98 0.89 0 Linton Weekly 53 0.9 0.94 0.88 0 Napoleons Weekly 52 0.9 0.95 0.88 0 Sebastopol Weekly 52 0.9 0.95 0.88 0 Skipton Weekly 53 0.9 0.94 0.88 0 Smythesdale Weekly 53 0.9 0.95 0.88 0 Wendouree Weekly 53 0.9 0.94 0.89 0 Beaufort Beaufort Annually 1 - 0.04 0.04 - Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Annually 1 - 0.02 0.02 - Clunes Clunes Annually 1 - 0.31 0.31 - Daylesford Daylesford High Level Annually 1 - < 0.01 < 0.01 - Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Annually 1 - < 0.01 < 0.01 - Dean Dean Annually 1 - 0.03 0.03 - Forest Hill Forest Hill Annually 1 - 0.04 0.04 - Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Annually 1 - 0.22 0.22 - Learmonth Learmonth Annually 1 - 0.04 0.04 - Lexton Lexton Annually 1 - 0.30 0.30 - Maryborough Alma Weekly 52 0.9 0.97 0.90 0 Bet Bet Weekly 52 0.9 0.99 0.90 0 Carisbrook Weekly 52 0.9 0.97 0.90 0 Daisy Hill Weekly 52 0.9 0.99 0.90 0 Majorca Weekly 52 0.9 0.99 0.90 0 Maryborough Weekly 52 0.9 0.99 0.90 0 Talbot Weekly 52 0.9 0.99 0.89 0 Timor Weekly 52 0.9 1.0 0.90 0 Waubra Waubra Annually 1 - 0.10 0.10 - REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * ------Raglan * ------Redbank * ------

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

30 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 4 FLUORIDE TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Maximum concentration must not exceed 1.5 mg/L 2019-20 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2

Maximum ﬂuoride (mg/L) 0.0

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Maximum concentration must not exceed 1.5 mg/L 2019-20 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2

Maximum ﬂuoride (mg/L) 0.0

Alma Talbot Timor Bet Bet Daisy Hill Majorca Carisbrook Maryborough Water sampling locality

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Mean concentration must be less than or equal to 1.0 mg/L 2019-20 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 Mean ﬂuoride (mg/L) 0.0

Alma Talbot Timor Bet Bet Daisy Hill Majorca Carisbrook Maryborough Water sampling locality

Compliance summary Refer to Table 14. Both the Ballarat and district and the Maryborough and district water supplies are the only CHW systems that are fluoridated. All relevant drinking water systems sampled for fluoride were compliant.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 31 TABLE 15 CHLOROACETIC ACID

Standard Must not exceed 0.15 mg/L (ADWG). Description Chloroacetic acids are produced in drinking water as a by-product of the reaction between chlorine and naturally occurring humic and fulvic acids.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Creswick Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Enfield Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Haddon Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Lal Lal Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Linton Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Napoleons Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Sebastopol Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Skipton Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Smythesdale Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Wendouree Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef - - - - Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Dean Dean Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Bet Bet Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Carisbrook Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Majorca Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Talbot Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Timor Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - Raglan * - - - - Redbank * - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

32 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 5 CHLOROACETIC ACID TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.15 mg/L 2019-20 0.150

0.125

0.100

0.075

0.050 Chloroacetic acid (mg/L)

0.025

0.000

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.15 mg/L 2019-20 0.150

0.125

0.100

0.075

0.050 Chloroacetic acid (mg/L)

0.025

0.000

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Compliance summary Refer to Table 15. All drinking water systems sampled for chloroacetic acid were compliant. No chloroacetic acid testing was conducted within the Blackwood system as chlorine disinfection is not used at the Blackwood Water Treatment Plant.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 33 TABLE 16 DICHLOROACETIC ACID

Standard Must not exceed 0.1 mg/L (ADWG). Description Dichloroacetic acids are produced in drinking water as a by-product of the reaction between chlorine and naturally occurring humic and fulvic acids.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 0.015 0 Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 0.012 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Quarterly 4 0.008 0 Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 0.018 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 0.014 0 Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 0.009 0 Creswick Quarterly 4 0.011 0 Enfield Quarterly 4 0.020 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 0.019 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 0.016 0 Haddon Quarterly 4 0.013 0 Lal Lal Quarterly 4 0.012 0 Linton Quarterly 4 0.013 0 Napoleons Quarterly 4 0.020 0 Sebastopol Quarterly 4 0.012 0 Skipton Quarterly 4 0.013 0 Smythesdale Quarterly 4 0.015 0 Wendouree Quarterly 4 0.010 0 Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 0.006 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef - - - - Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 < 0.01 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 0.010 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 0.013 0 Dean Dean Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 0.006 0 Bet Bet Quarterly 4 0.008 0 Carisbrook Quarterly 4 0.006 0 Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 0.005 0 Majorca Quarterly 4 0.009 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Talbot Quarterly 4 0.009 0 Timor Quarterly 4 0.005 0 Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - Raglan * - - - - Redbank * - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

34 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 6 DICHLOROACETIC ACID TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.1 mg/L 2019-20 0.100

0.075

0.050

0.025 Dichloroacetic acid (mg/L)

0.000

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.1 mg/L 2019-20 0.100

0.075

0.050

0.025 Dichloroacetic acid (mg/L)

0.000

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Compliance summary Refer to Table 16. All drinking water systems sampled for dichloroacetic acid were compliant. No dichloroacetic acid testing was conducted within the Blackwood system as chlorine disinfection is not used at the Blackwood Water Treatment Plant.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 35 TABLE 17 TRICHLOROACETIC ACID

Standard Must not exceed 0.1 mg/L (ADWG). Description Trichloroacetic acids are produced in drinking water as a by-product of the reaction between chlorine and naturally occurring humic and fulvic acids.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 0.007 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Creswick Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Enfield Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 0.005 0 Haddon Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Lal Lal Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Linton Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Napoleons Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Sebastopol Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Skipton Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Smythesdale Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Wendouree Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 0.010 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef - - - - Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 0.011 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 0.010 0 Dean Dean Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Bet Bet Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Carisbrook Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Majorca Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Talbot Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Timor Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 < 0.005 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - Raglan * - - - - Redbank * - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

36 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 7 TRICHLOROACETIC ACID TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.1 mg/L 2019-20 0.100

0.075

0.050

0.025 Trichloroacetic acid (mg/L)

0.000

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.1 mg/L 2019-20 0.100

0.075

0.050

0.025 Trichloroacetic acid (mg/L)

0.000

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Compliance summary Refer to Table 17. All drinking water systems sampled for trichloroacetic acid were compliant. No trichloroacetic acid testing was conducted within the Blackwood system as chlorine disinfection is not used at the Blackwood Water Treatment Plant.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 37 TABLE 18 BROMATE

Standard Must not exceed 0.02 mg/L (ADWG). Description Bromate is not a normal component of water, but may be formed from bromide during ozonation.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) Clunes Clunes Monthly 12 < 0.01 0

FIGURE 8 BROMATE TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.02 mg/L 2019-20 0.05

0.04

0.03

0.02 Bromate (mg/L)

0.01

0.00 Clunes

Water sampling locality

Compliance summary Refer to Table 18. Clunes is the only system at CHW to use ozonation. The Clunes system was compliant for bromate.

38 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 19 FORMALDEHYDE

Standard Must not exceed 0.5 mg/L (ADWG). Description Formaldehyde may be present in drinking water through ozonation of naturally occurring humic material, contamination by accidental spills or deposition from the atmosphere.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 < 0.05 0

FIGURE 9 FORMALDEHYDE TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.5 mg/L 2019-20 0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2 Formaldehyde (mg/L)

0.1

0.0 Clunes

Water sampling locality

Compliance summary Refer to Table 19. Clunes is the only system at CHW to use ozonation. The Clunes system was compliant for formaldehyde.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 39 TABLE 20 ALUMINIUM (ACID SOLUBLE)

Guideline Must not exceed 0.2 mg/L (ADWG-AESTHETIC). Description Aluminium may be present in water due to natural leaching from rock or soil. Aluminium is also used as a coagulant to assist filtration effectiveness, however is removed during the treatment process.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) above aesthetic guideline DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca - - - - Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 0.01 0 Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 0.01 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 0.01 0 Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Creswick Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Enfield Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 0.01 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 0.01 0 Haddon Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Lal Lal Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Linton Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Napoleons Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Sebastopol Quarterly 4 0.01 0 Skipton Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Smythesdale Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Wendouree Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Clunes Clunes - - - - Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Dean Dean - - - - Forest Hill Forest Hill - - - - Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre - - - - Learmonth Learmonth - - - - Lexton Lexton - - - - Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Bet Bet Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Carisbrook Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Majorca Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 0.02 0 Talbot Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Timor Quarterly 4 0.03 0 Waubra Waubra - - - - REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - Raglan * - - - - Redbank * - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

40 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 10 ALUMINIUM (ACID SOLUBLE) TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.2 mg/L 2019-20 0.35

0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

Aluminium – Acid Soluble (mg/L) 0.05

0.00

2017-18 2018-19 Standard: Must not exceed 0.2 mg/L 2019-20 0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05 Aluminium – Acid Soluble (mg/L)

0.00

Alma Talbot Timor Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Blackwood / Barrys Reef Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Trending summary A single elevated result from the 2017-18 financial year in the Ballan water sampling locality (Ballarat system) was due to temporary water main sediment disturbance associated with a major burst.

Compliance summary Refer to Table 20. All drinking water systems sampled for aluminium (acid soluble) were below the aesthetic guideline value. Parameter only tested where an aluminium based coagulant is used as part of the treatment process.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 41 TABLE 21 AESTHETIC PARAMETERS – pH

Guideline Greater than 6.5 and less than 8.5 units desirable, up to 9.2 is acceptable provided microbiological performance is satisfactory (ADWG). Considered to meet guidelines if the mean is within the guideline values. Description The pH of a water sample is an indicator of the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Water with a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Concrete tanks and cement mortar lined pipes can significantly increase pH. For aesthetic reasons, and to reduce the risk of corrosion, it is preferable that pH is maintained between 6.5 and 8.5 units. pH values up to 9.2 may be tolerated provided monitoring indicates no deterioration in microbial quality.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Mean Max Min Locality system of sampling samples meeting guideline criteria (Yes/No) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Weekly 53 7.5 8.1 7.1 Yes Ballarat Ballan Weekly 52 8.4 8.7 7.9 Yes Ballarat Central Weekly # 155 8.1 8.7 7.6 Yes Ballarat North/Nerrina Weekly 52 7.9 8.5 7.1 Yes Bungaree/Wallace Weekly 52 8.5 8.8 8.3 Yes Buninyong/Mt Helen Weekly # 72 8.2 8.6 8.0 Yes Cardigan Village Weekly 53 8.3 8.7 7.7 Yes Creswick Weekly 52 7.9 8.4 7.3 Yes Enfield Weekly 52 8.4 8.7 7.9 Yes Fiskville/Glenmore Weekly 52 8.4 8.7 8.0 Yes Gordon/Mt Egerton Weekly 52 8.4 8.6 8.1 Yes Haddon Weekly 53 8.3 8.7 7.7 Yes Lal Lal Weekly 53 8.1 8.7 7.8 Yes Linton Weekly 53 8.5 8.8 8.1 Yes Napoleons Weekly 52 8.4 8.8 8.1 Yes Sebastopol Weekly # 72 8.1 8.4 7.4 Yes Skipton Weekly 53 8.5 8.8 8.2 Yes Smythesdale Weekly 53 8.1 8.6 7.1 Yes Wendouree Weekly # 121 8.1 8.9 7.5 Yes Beaufort Beaufort Weekly 53 7.5 7.8 6.9 Yes Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Weekly 52 8.2 9.6 7.3 Yes a Clunes Clunes Weekly 52 7.8 8.0 7.4 Yes Daylesford Daylesford High Level Weekly 52 7.5 8.1 6.9 Yes Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Weekly 52 7.5 7.8 7.0 Yes Dean Dean Weekly 53 7.1 7.9 6.8 Yes Forest Hill Forest Hill Weekly 53 7.9 8.4 7.3 Yes Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Weekly 53 7.4 7.8 7.2 Yes Learmonth Learmonth Weekly 52 8.1 8.5 7.7 Yes Lexton Lexton Weekly 53 7.7 8.0 7.5 Yes Maryborough Alma Weekly 52 8.4 8.5 8.2 Yes Bet Bet Weekly 52 8.6 8.8 8.3 Yes Carisbrook Weekly 52 8.5 8.6 8.3 Yes Daisy Hill Weekly 52 8.6 8.8 8.4 Yes Majorca Weekly 52 8.6 8.8 8.4 Yes Maryborough Weekly # 72 8.5 8.6 8.3 Yes Talbot Weekly 52 8.7 8.9 8.5 Yes Timor Weekly 52 8.7 8.9 8.4 Yes Waubra Waubra Weekly 52 7.0 7.2 6.8 Yes REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * Twice Monthly 24 7.5 8.1 6.8 N/A Raglan * Twice Monthly 24 7.1 8.0 6.1 N/A Redbank * Twice Monthly 24 7.1 7.2 7.0 N/A

* Non-potable water supply system a Considered to meet guidelines if the mean is within the guideline values of 6.5 to 9.2 (ADWG, Section 10.3.3) # Weekly sampling with increases for population (ADWG, Section 9.5.2)

42 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 11 pH TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Guideline: Greater than 6.5 and less than 9.2 units Averages used 2019-20 10.0

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0 pH

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

2017-18 2018-19 Guideline: Greater than 6.5 and less than 9.2 units Averages used 2019-20 10.0

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0 pH

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Blackwood / Barrys Reef Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Compliance summary Refer to Table 21. Regulated (non-potable) water supply systems have not been included in this compliance assessment. All systems sampled for pH were compliant.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 43 TABLE 22 AESTHETIC PARAMETERS – TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS

Guideline Less than 600 mg/L (ADWG). Considered to meet guidelines if the mean is less than the guideline value. Description Total dissolved solids (TDS) represents the total amount of material dissolved in the water and includes materials such as carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides and sulphates of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. The palatability of drinking water may be affected with increasing TDS levels.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Mean Max Min Locality system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) meeting guideline criteria (Yes/No) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Weekly 53 328 345 310 Yes Ballarat Ballan Weekly 52 269 280 205 Yes Ballarat Central Weekly # 155 205 275 150 Yes Ballarat North/Nerrina Weekly 52 160 180 150 Yes Bungaree/Wallace Weekly 52 271 280 260 Yes Buninyong/Mt Helen Weekly # 72 253 280 155 Yes Cardigan Village Weekly 53 189 260 150 Yes Creswick Weekly 52 159 175 150 Yes Enfield Weekly 52 255 280 160 Yes Fiskville/Glenmore Weekly 52 268 280 190 Yes Gordon/Mt Egerton Weekly 52 268 280 235 Yes Haddon Weekly 53 231 275 150 Yes Lal Lal Weekly 53 254 275 155 Yes Linton Weekly 53 238 265 155 Yes Napoleons Weekly 52 247 275 155 Yes Sebastopol Weekly # 72 240 275 150 Yes Skipton Weekly 53 239 270 155 Yes Smythesdale Weekly 53 238 265 155 Yes Wendouree Weekly # 121 172 275 150 Yes Beaufort Beaufort Weekly 53 98 115 80 Yes Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Weekly 52 71 85 60 Yes Clunes Clunes Weekly 52 335 360 325 Yes Daylesford Daylesford High Level Weekly 52 73 90 60 Yes Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Weekly 52 73 90 60 Yes Dean Dean Weekly 53 135 160 120 Yes Forest Hill Forest Hill Weekly 53 237 245 230 Yes Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Weekly 53 474 550 435 Yes Learmonth Learmonth Weekly 52 284 290 280 Yes Lexton Lexton Weekly 53 408 415 400 Yes Maryborough Alma Weekly 52 354 390 230 Yes Bet Bet Weekly 52 356 390 230 Yes Carisbrook Weekly 52 354 390 230 Yes Daisy Hill Weekly 52 355 390 230 Yes Majorca Weekly 52 358 390 235 Yes Maryborough Weekly # 72 354 390 235 Yes Talbot Weekly 52 355 390 230 Yes Timor Weekly 52 356 390 235 Yes Waubra Waubra Weekly 52 700 700 700 No REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * ------Raglan * ------Redbank * ------

* Non-potable water supply system Considered to meet guidelines if the mean is less than the guideline value (ADWG, Section 10.3.3) # Weekly sampling with increases for population (ADWG, Section 9.5.2) - Not applicable Total dissolved solids data derived from electrical conductivity data (x 0.5)

44 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 12 TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Guideline: Less than 600 mg/L Averages used 2019-20 700

600

500

400

300

200 Total dissolved solids (mg/L) 100

2017-18 2018-19 Guideline: Less than 600 mg/L Averages used 2019-20 1000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200 Total dissolved solids (mg/L)

100

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Blackwood / Barrys Reef Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Compliance summary Refer to Table 22. All systems sampled for TDS were compliant, with the exception of Waubra which sources its water from groundwater supplies with increased TDS levels. CHW has consulted with the community and is investigating preferred options to improve the aesthetic quality of the Waubra water supply.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 45 TABLE 23 AESTHETIC PARAMETERS – TRUE COLOUR

Guideline Less than or equal to 15 HU (ADWG), equivalent to platinum-cobalt (Pt.Co.) units. Description Colour is the actual true appearance of the water with suspended material removed. Colour can result from organic matter, sources of algae or inorganic materials such as manganese, copper and iron.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Mean Max Min Locality system of sampling samples (HU) (HU) (HU) meeting guideline criteria (Yes/No) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Weekly 53 2 4 < 1 Yes Ballarat Ballan Weekly 52 2 4 1 Yes Ballarat Central Weekly # 155 2 4 < 1 Yes Ballarat North/Nerrina Weekly 52 2 4 1 Yes Bungaree/Wallace Weekly 52 3 4 < 1 Yes Buninyong/Mt Helen Weekly # 72 2 4 1 Yes Cardigan Village Weekly 53 2 6 < 1 Yes Creswick Weekly 52 2 4 1 Yes Enfield Weekly 52 2 5 1 Yes Fiskville/Glenmore Weekly 52 2 4 < 1 Yes Gordon/Mt Egerton Weekly 52 2 4 1 Yes Haddon Weekly 53 3 15 < 1 Yes Lal Lal Weekly 53 3 4 1 Yes Linton Weekly 53 2 5 1 Yes Napoleons Weekly 52 2 3 1 Yes Sebastopol Weekly # 72 2 4 1 Yes Skipton Weekly 53 2 4 1 Yes Smythesdale Weekly 53 2 4 < 1 Yes Wendouree Weekly # 121 2 4 1 Yes Beaufort Beaufort Weekly 53 2 4 < 1 Yes Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Weekly 52 2 5 < 1 Yes Clunes Clunes Weekly 52 2 4 1 Yes Daylesford Daylesford High Level Weekly 52 2 3 < 1 Yes Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Weekly 52 2 4 < 1 Yes Dean Dean Weekly 53 2 4 < 1 Yes Forest Hill Forest Hill Weekly 53 1 3 < 1 Yes Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Weekly 53 2 4 < 1 Yes Learmonth Learmonth Weekly 52 1 3 < 1 Yes Lexton Lexton Weekly 53 2 3 < 1 Yes Maryborough Alma Weekly 52 2 4 < 1 Yes Bet Bet Weekly 52 2 4 < 1 Yes Carisbrook Weekly 52 2 3 < 1 Yes Daisy Hill Weekly 52 2 5 < 1 Yes Majorca Weekly 52 2 4 1 Yes Maryborough Weekly # 72 2 4 < 1 Yes Talbot Weekly 52 2 4 < 1 Yes Timor Weekly 52 2 4 < 1 Yes Waubra Waubra Weekly 52 2 4 < 1 Yes REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * Twice Monthly 24 18 40 1 N/A Raglan * Twice Monthly 24 39 150 8 N/A Redbank * Twice Monthly 24 2 3 < 1 N/A

* Non-potable water supply system # Weekly sampling with increases for population (ADWG, Section 9.5.2)

46 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 13 TRUE COLOUR TRENDING

2017-18 2018-19 Guideline: Less than 15 HU Averages used 2019-20 16

Colour (HU) 6

2017-18 2018-19 Guideline: Less than 15 HU Averages used 2019-20 16

Colour (HU) 6

Dean Alma Avoca Talbot Timor Clunes Lexton Bet Bet Beaufort Daisy Hill Majorca Waubra Forest Hill Learmonth Carisbrook Maryborough

Daylesford High Level Blackwood / Barrys Reef Landsborough / Navarre Water sampling locality Daylesford Low Level / Hepburn

Compliance summary Refer to Table 23. Regulated (non-potable) water supply systems have not been included in this trending analysis. All systems sampled for colour were compliant.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 47 TABLE 24 AESTHETIC PARAMETERS – HARDNESS

Guideline Less than 200 mg/L (ADWG). Considered to meet guidelines if the mean is less than the guideline value. Description Hardness is predominantly caused by calcium and magnesium ions and is a parameter unique to the water source and does not normally vary significantly. Hard water sometimes causes difficulty in creating a lather with soap and it can also form a deposit on hot water pipes and fittings under certain conditions.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Mean Max Min Locality system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) meeting guideline criteria (Yes/No) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Monthly 12 158 180 150 Yes Ballarat Ballan Monthly 12 117 130 90 Yes Ballarat Central Monthly 12 88 110 69 Yes Ballarat North/Nerrina Monthly 12 76 84 69 Yes Bungaree/Wallace Monthly 12 117 130 110 Yes Buninyong/Mt Helen Monthly 12 110 140 74 Yes Cardigan Village Monthly 12 86 110 73 Yes Creswick Monthly 12 75 84 66 Yes Enfield Monthly 12 116 130 82 Yes Fiskville/Glenmore Monthly 12 117 130 110 Yes Gordon/Mt Egerton Monthly 12 112 130 82 Yes Haddon Monthly 12 105 120 75 Yes Lal Lal Monthly 12 110 120 78 Yes Linton Monthly 12 110 120 73 Yes Napoleons Monthly 12 110 130 74 Yes Sebastopol Monthly 12 106 130 79 Yes Skipton Monthly 12 108 120 78 Yes Smythesdale Monthly 12 105 120 80 Yes Wendouree Monthly 12 79 110 66 Yes Beaufort Beaufort Monthly 12 33 38 28 Yes Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Monthly 12 36 47 25 Yes Clunes Clunes Monthly 12 70 78 63 Yes Daylesford Daylesford High Level Monthly 12 24 32 17 Yes Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Monthly 12 24 33 17 Yes Dean Dean Quarterly 4 95 98 91 Yes Forest Hill Forest Hill Monthly 12 95 100 90 Yes Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Monthly 12 47 56 35 Yes Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 120 130 110 Yes Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 173 180 160 Yes Maryborough Alma Monthly 12 145 170 95 Yes Bet Bet Monthly 12 150 180 100 Yes Carisbrook Monthly 12 146 170 96 Yes Daisy Hill Monthly 12 148 170 100 Yes Majorca Monthly 12 151 170 98 Yes Maryborough Monthly 12 148 180 98 Yes Talbot Monthly 12 151 170 110 Yes Timor Monthly 12 149 170 100 Yes Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 435 470 410 No REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * ------Raglan * ------Redbank * ------

* Non-potable water supply system Considered to meet guidelines if the mean is less than the guideline value (ADWG, Section 10.3.3) - Not applicable

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for hardness were compliant, with the exception of the Waubra water supply system. Waubra sources its water from groundwater supplies with increased hardness levels. CHW has consulted with the community and is investigating preferred options to improve the aesthetic quality of the Waubra water supply.

48 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 25 AESTHETIC PARAMETERS – IRON

Guideline Less than 0.3 mg/L (ADWG). Description Iron occurs naturally in surface water, but is found in higher levels in oxygen-depleted groundwater. A change in taste may be noticed above 0.3 mg/L and higher levels may cause stained laundry and plumbing fittings. Iron does not pose a health risk at concentrations found in water supplies.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Min Locality system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) meeting guideline criteria (Yes/No) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Monthly 12 0.02 < 0.01 Yes Ballarat Ballan Monthly 12 0.03 < 0.01 Yes Ballarat Central Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Ballarat North/Nerrina Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Bungaree/Wallace Monthly 12 0.03 < 0.01 Yes Buninyong/Mt Helen Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Cardigan Village Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Creswick Monthly 12 0.02 < 0.01 Yes Enfield Monthly 12 0.03 < 0.01 Yes Fiskville/Glenmore Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Gordon/Mt Egerton Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Haddon Monthly 12 0.06 < 0.01 Yes Lal Lal Monthly 12 0.02 < 0.01 Yes Linton Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Napoleons Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Sebastopol Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Skipton Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Smythesdale Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Wendouree Monthly 12 0.04 < 0.01 Yes Beaufort Beaufort Monthly 12 0.06 < 0.01 Yes Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Monthly 12 0.08 < 0.01 Yes Clunes Clunes Monthly 12 0.06 0.03 Yes Daylesford Daylesford High Level Monthly 12 0.03 < 0.01 Yes Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Monthly 12 0.02 < 0.01 Yes Dean Dean Monthly 12 0.02 < 0.01 Yes Forest Hill Forest Hill Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Monthly 12 0.14 < 0.01 Yes Learmonth Learmonth Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Lexton Lexton Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Maryborough Alma Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Bet Bet Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Carisbrook Monthly 12 0.03 < 0.01 Yes Daisy Hill Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Majorca Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Maryborough Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Talbot Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Timor Monthly 12 0.01 < 0.01 Yes Waubra Waubra Monthly 12 < 0.01 < 0.01 Yes REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * Monthly 12 0.81 0.05 N/A Raglan * Monthly 12 0.58 0.03 N/A Redbank * Monthly 12 15.00 0.03 N/A

* Non-potable water supply system

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for iron were below the aesthetic guideline. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 49 TABLE 26 AESTHETIC PARAMETERS – ZINC

Guideline Less than 3 mg/L (ADWG). Description Zinc is widely distributed and occurs in small amounts in almost all rocks, commonly as the sulphide. Tap water can contain zinc as a result of the corrosion of zinc coated pipes and fittings. The guideline value is based on aesthetic considerations.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Min Locality system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) meeting guideline criteria (Yes/No) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Quarterly 4 0.023 0.017 Yes Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 0.003 < 0.001 Yes Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 0.003 0.001 Yes Ballarat North/Nerrina Quarterly 4 0.004 0.002 Yes Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 0.003 0.002 Yes Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 0.010 0.002 Yes Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 0.003 < 0.001 Yes Creswick Quarterly 4 0.005 < 0.001 Yes Enfield Quarterly 4 0.005 0.001 Yes Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 0.003 0.002 Yes Haddon Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Lal Lal Quarterly 4 0.005 0.002 Yes Linton Quarterly 4 0.004 < 0.001 Yes Napoleons Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Sebastopol Quarterly 4 0.003 0.002 Yes Skipton Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Smythesdale Quarterly 4 0.002 0.001 Yes Wendouree Quarterly 4 0.009 < 0.001 Yes Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 0.003 0.002 Yes Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Quarterly 4 0.008 0.001 Yes Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 0.010 0.003 Yes Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 0.003 0.001 Yes Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 0.004 0.002 Yes Dean Dean Quarterly 4 0.008 0.003 Yes Forest Hill Forest Hill Quarterly 4 0.005 0.002 Yes Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Quarterly 4 0.016 0.002 Yes Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 0.003 0.001 Yes Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 0.007 0.003 Yes Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Bet Bet Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Carisbrook Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 0.003 < 0.001 Yes Majorca Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Maryborough Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Talbot Quarterly 4 0.003 < 0.001 Yes Timor Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 Yes Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 0.014 0.004 Yes REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - - Raglan * - - - - - Redbank * - - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for zinc were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

50 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 27 AESTHETIC PARAMETERS – TOTAL ALKALINITY

Guideline There is no health or aesthetic limit for alkalinity. Description Total alkalinity is a measure of the ability of the water to buffer changes in pH. Water alkalinity is dependent upon many factors including the nature of the source water and the type of treatment applied to the water. Alkalinity data in the table below is from water treatment plant clear water storages.

Water supply system Frequency No. of Mean Max Min of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Monthly 12 55 62 50 Ballarat Monthly # 24 75 97 59 Beaufort Monthly 12 25 32 19 Blackwood Monthly 12 27 39 19 Clunes Monthly 12 108 120 95 Daylesford Monthly 12 25 40 12 Dean Quarterly 4 92 100 85 Forest Hill Monthly 12 49 58 43 Landsborough Monthly 12 167 180 150 Learmonth Quarterly 4 170 180 160 Lexton Quarterly 4 193 200 190 Maryborough Monthly 12 117 160 81 Waubra Quarterly 4 185 200 180

# Ballarat includes monthly samples at both Lal Lal and White Swan clear water storages, hence the total of 24 samples

Compliance summary There is no health or aesthetic limit for total alkalinity. The data displayed in the table is for information only.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 51 TABLE 28 OTHER SUBSTANCES – FREE CHLORINE

Standard Less than 5 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Free chlorine is an essential component added to disinfect the water and protect from disease-causing organisms.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Mean No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Weekly 53 0.96 0.49 0 Ballarat Ballan - - - - - Ballarat Central - - - - - Ballarat North/Nerrina - - - - - Bungaree/Wallace - - - - - Buninyong/Mt Helen - - - - - Cardigan Village - - - - - Creswick - - - - - Enfield - - - - - Fiskville/Glenmore - - - - - Gordon/Mt Egerton - - - - - Haddon - - - - - Lal Lal - - - - - Linton - - - - - Napoleons - - - - - Sebastopol - - - - - Skipton - - - - - Smythesdale - - - - - Wendouree - - - - - Beaufort Beaufort Weekly 52 0.80 0.50 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef - - - - - Clunes Clunes Weekly 52 1.09 0.52 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Weekly 52 0.64 0.42 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Weekly 52 0.85 0.65 0 Dean Dean Weekly 53 0.85 0.48 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Weekly 53 1.03 0.58 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Weekly 53 0.83 0.52 0 Learmonth Learmonth Weekly 52 0.95 0.58 0 Lexton Lexton Weekly 53 1.02 0.62 0 Maryborough Alma - - - - - Bet Bet - - - - - Carisbrook - - - - - Daisy Hill - - - - - Majorca - - - - - Maryborough - - - - - Talbot - - - - - Timor - - - - - Waubra Waubra Weekly 52 1.07 0.66 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - - Raglan * - - - - - Redbank * - - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for free chlorine were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident. Parameter only tested in free chlorine systems.

52 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 29 OTHER SUBSTANCES – MONOCHLORAMINE

Standard Less than 5 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Monochloramine is an essential component added to disinfect the water and protect from disease-causing organisms. Small amounts of chlorine gas and ammonia are added to the water to form monochloramines, providing a relatively long-lasting disinfection residual.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Mean No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca - - - - - Ballarat Ballan Weekly 52 3.0 2.3 0 Ballarat Central Weekly # 155 2.9 2.4 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Weekly 52 2.7 2.4 0 Bungaree/Wallace Weekly 52 2.8 2.2 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Weekly # 72 2.7 2.2 0 Cardigan Village Weekly 53 2.6 2.4 0 Creswick Weekly 52 2.6 2.2 0 Enfield Weekly 52 1.9 0.8 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Weekly 52 2.8 2.3 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Weekly 52 2.9 2.6 0 Haddon Weekly 53 2.5 2.1 0 Lal Lal Weekly 53 3.0 2.5 0 Linton Weekly 53 2.2 1.7 0 Napoleons Weekly 52 2.4 2.1 0 Sebastopol Weekly # 72 2.6 2.3 0 Skipton Weekly 53 2.3 1.5 0 Smythesdale Weekly 53 2.3 1.7 0 Wendouree Weekly # 121 2.9 2.4 0 Beaufort Beaufort - - - - - Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef - - - - - Clunes Clunes - - - - - Daylesford Daylesford High Level - - - - - Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn - - - - - Dean Dean - - - - - Forest Hill Forest Hill - - - - - Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre - - - - - Learmonth Learmonth - - - - - Lexton Lexton - - - - - Maryborough Alma Weekly 52 2.1 1.8 0 Bet Bet Weekly 52 2.1 1.7 0 Carisbrook Weekly 52 2.1 1.7 0 Daisy Hill Weekly 52 2.1 1.8 0 Majorca Weekly 52 2.1 1.8 0 Maryborough Weekly # 72 2.1 1.9 0 Talbot Weekly 52 2.0 1.7 0 Timor Weekly 52 2.0 1.7 0 Waubra Waubra - - - - - REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - - Raglan * - - - - - Redbank * - - - - -

In this table, results are expressed as mg Cl as Cl2/L. The standard equates to 3 mg/L when expressed as monochloramine. # Weekly sampling with increases for population (ADWG, Section 9.5.2) * Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for monochloramine were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident. Parameter only tested in chloraminated systems.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 53 TABLE 30 OTHER SUBSTANCES – CADMIUM

Standard Less than 0.002 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Cadmium in drinking water potentially indicates contamination from industrial waste or impurities in galvanised (zinc) fittings, solders and brasses. The risk of cadmium contamination is considered very low.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Ballarat North / Nerrina Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Creswick Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Enfield Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Haddon Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Lal Lal Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Linton Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Napoleons Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Sebastopol Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Skipton Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Smythesdale Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Wendouree Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Dean Dean Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Bet Bet Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Carisbrook Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Majorca Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Talbot Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Timor Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 < 0.0002 < 0.0002 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - - Raglan * - - - - - Redbank * - - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for cadmium were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

54 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 31 OTHER SUBSTANCES – COPPER

Standard Less than 2 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH); less than 1 mg/L (ADWG-AESTHETIC). Description Copper is widely distributed in rocks and soils as carbonate and sulphide minerals. Principal sources in water supplies are from the corrosion of brass and copper pipes. High levels may cause a metallic taste and cause blue staining on sanitary fittings.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) # DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Quarterly 4 0.009 0.002 0 Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 0.006 0.002 0 Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 0.004 0.001 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Quarterly 4 0.005 0.002 0 Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 0.010 0.001 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 0.026 0.002 0 Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 0.008 < 0.001 0 Creswick Quarterly 4 0.023 0.003 0 Enfield Quarterly 4 0.004 0.001 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 0.004 < 0.001 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 0.004 < 0.001 0 Haddon Quarterly 4 0.002 0.001 0 Lal Lal Quarterly 4 0.007 0.001 0 Linton Quarterly 4 0.003 < 0.001 0 Napoleons Quarterly 4 0.005 < 0.001 0 Sebastopol Quarterly 4 0.003 0.001 0 Skipton Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 0 Smythesdale Quarterly 4 0.002 0.001 0 Wendouree Quarterly 4 0.030 0.004 0 Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 0.004 0.003 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Quarterly 4 0.069 0.002 0 Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 0.007 0.002 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 0.012 0.002 0 Dean Dean Quarterly 4 0.038 0.011 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Quarterly 4 0.001 < 0.001 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Quarterly 4 0.021 0.008 0 Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 0.004 < 0.001 0 Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 0.007 0.002 0 Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 0.004 0.003 0 Bet Bet Quarterly 4 0.007 0.004 0 Carisbrook Quarterly 4 0.010 0.003 0 Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 0.003 0.002 0 Majorca Quarterly 4 0.009 0.004 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 0.010 0.002 0 Talbot Quarterly 4 0.004 0.002 0 Timor Quarterly 4 0.016 0.004 0 Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 0.014 0.002 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * Quarterly 4 0.200 0.019 N/A Raglan * Quarterly 4 0.021 0.005 N/A Redbank * Quarterly 4 0.006 0.003 N/A

* Non-potable water supply system # Standard relates to health limit

Compliance summary Regulated (non-potable) water supply systems have not been included in this compliance assessment. All systems sampled for copper were compliant with the ADWG health and aesthetic guidelines. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 55 TABLE 32 OTHER SUBSTANCES – LEAD

Standard Less than 0.01 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Lead occurs in water through dissolution from natural sources or rare occasions where household plumbing contains lead (eg. pipes, solder). Lead contamination in the reticulation is considered a low risk.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Ballan Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Central Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Bungaree/Wallace Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Cardigan Village Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Creswick Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Enfield Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Haddon Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lal Lal Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Linton Monthly 12 0.002 < 0.001 0 Napoleons Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Sebastopol Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Skipton Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Smythesdale Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Wendouree Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Beaufort Beaufort Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Clunes Clunes Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Monthly 12 0.002 < 0.001 0 Dean Dean Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Monthly 12 0.005 < 0.001 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Learmonth Learmonth Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lexton Lexton Monthly 12 0.002 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Alma Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Bet Bet Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Carisbrook Monthly 12 0.002 < 0.001 0 Daisy Hill Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Majorca Monthly 12 0.002 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Monthly 12 0.002 < 0.001 0 Talbot Monthly 12 0.002 < 0.001 0 Timor Monthly 12 0.012 ^ < 0.001 0 Waubra Waubra Monthly 12 0.002 < 0.001 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - - Raglan * - - - - - Redbank * - - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable ^ Considered to meet the standard when applying data rounding conventions as outlined in Section 10.2.2 of the ADWG

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for lead were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

56 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 33 OTHER SUBSTANCES – MANGANESE

Standard Less than 0.5 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH); less than 0.1 mg/L (ADWG-AESTHETIC). Description Manganese occurs naturally in surface water and groundwater. At levels exceeding 0.1 mg/L manganese in water supplies stains plumbing fixtures and laundry. At higher concentrations it imparts an undesirable taste.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) # DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Ballan Monthly 12 0.003 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Central Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Bungaree/Wallace Monthly 12 0.003 < 0.001 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Monthly 12 0.005 < 0.001 0 Cardigan Village Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Creswick Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Enfield Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Monthly 12 0.005 < 0.001 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Haddon Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Lal Lal Monthly 12 0.012 < 0.001 0 Linton Monthly 12 0.006 < 0.001 0 Napoleons Monthly 12 0.003 < 0.001 0 Sebastopol Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Skipton Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Smythesdale Monthly 12 0.006 < 0.001 0 Wendouree Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Beaufort Beaufort Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Clunes Clunes Monthly 12 0.007 0.003 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Monthly 12 0.009 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Monthly 12 0.008 < 0.001 0 Dean Dean Monthly 12 0.003 < 0.001 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Monthly 12 0.001 < 0.001 0 Learmonth Learmonth Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lexton Lexton Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Alma Monthly 12 0.005 < 0.001 0 Bet Bet Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Carisbrook Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Daisy Hill Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Majorca Monthly 12 0.003 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Talbot Monthly 12 0.005 < 0.001 0 Timor Monthly 12 0.004 < 0.001 0 Waubra Waubra Monthly 12 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * Monthly 12 0.650 0.003 N/A Raglan * Monthly 12 0.110 < 0.001 N/A Redbank * Monthly 12 0.049 < 0.001 N/A

* Non-potable water supply system # Standard relates to health limit

Compliance summary Regulated (non-potable) water supply systems have not been included in this compliance assessment. All systems sampled for manganese were compliant with the ADWG health and aesthetic guidelines. No other significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 57 TABLE 34 OTHER SUBSTANCES – NICKEL

Standard Less than 0.02 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Drinking water generally contains very low concentrations of nickel. Unusually high concentrations, up to 0.5 mg/L, have been reported where water has been in prolonged contact with nickel-plated tap and plumbing fittings.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Creswick Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Enfield Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Haddon Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lal Lal Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Linton Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Napoleons Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Sebastopol Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Skipton Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Smythesdale Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Wendouree Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Dean Dean Quarterly 4 0.002 < 0.001 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Bet Bet Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Carisbrook Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Majorca Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Talbot Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Timor Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 0.002 0.001 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - - Raglan * - - - - - Redbank * - - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for nickel were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

58 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 35 OTHER SUBSTANCES – CHROMIUM (TOTAL)

Standard Less than 0.05 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Chromium is derived from industrial contamination of raw water or corrosion of materials in the distribution system / plumbing. The risk of chromium contamination is very low.

Water supply Water sampling locality Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples system of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Avoca Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Ballan Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Central Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat North/Nerrina Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Bungaree/Wallace Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Buninyong/Mt Helen Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Cardigan Village Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Creswick Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Enfield Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Fiskville/Glenmore Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Gordon/Mt Egerton Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Haddon Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lal Lal Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Linton Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Napoleons Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Sebastopol Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Skipton Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Smythesdale Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Wendouree Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Beaufort Beaufort Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Blackwood Blackwood/Barrys Reef Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Clunes Clunes Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Daylesford High Level Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Low Level/Hepburn Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Dean Dean Quarterly 4 0.001 < 0.001 0 Forest Hill Forest Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Landsborough Landsborough/Navarre Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Learmonth Learmonth Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lexton Lexton Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Alma Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Bet Bet Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Carisbrook Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daisy Hill Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Majorca Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Talbot Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Timor Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Waubra Waubra Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 REGULATED WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Amphitheatre * - - - - - Raglan * - - - - - Redbank * - - - - -

* Non-potable water supply system - Not applicable

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for chromium (total) were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 59 TABLE 36 OTHER SUBSTANCES – ARSENIC

Standard Less than 0.01 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Arsenic originates from natural sources, as well as mining, industrial and agricultural wastes. Data in the table below is from the Water Treatment Plant clear water storage.

Water supply system Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Annually 2 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Beaufort Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Blackwood Quarterly 4 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Clunes Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Dean Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Forest Hill Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Landsborough Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Learmonth Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lexton Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Annually 1 0.001 0.001 0 Waubra Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for arsenic were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

60 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 37 OTHER SUBSTANCES – CYANIDE

Standard Less than 0.08 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Cyanide can be present in drinking water primarily through the contamination of source water. Cyanide was traditionally used in the extraction of gold and silver from low-grade ores and is also used in the electroplating, steel and chemical industries. The risk of cyanide contamination is very low. Data in the table below is from the water treatment plant clear water storage.

Water supply system Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Ballarat Annually 2 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Beaufort Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Blackwood Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Clunes Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Daylesford Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Dean Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Forest Hill Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Landsborough Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Learmonth Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Lexton Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Maryborough Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0 Waubra Annually 1 < 0.005 < 0.005 0

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for cyanide were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 61 TABLE 38 OTHER SUBSTANCES – MERCURY

Standard Less than 0.001 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Mercury originates through industrial emissions and spills with very low concentrations occurring naturally. Mercury in drinking water is of inorganic form and is poorly absorbed. Data in the table below is from the Water Treatment Plant clear water storage.

Water supply system Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Ballarat Annually 2 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Beaufort Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Blackwood Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Clunes Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Daylesford Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Dean Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Forest Hill Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Landsborough Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Learmonth Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Lexton Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Maryborough Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0 Waubra Annually 1 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for mercury were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

62 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 39 OTHER SUBSTANCES – SELENIUM

Standard Less than 0.01 mg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description Selenium generally occurs at very low concentrations in water supplies. Data in the table below is from the Water Treatment Plant clear water storage.

Water supply system Frequency No. of Max Min No. samples of sampling samples (mg/L) (mg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Ballarat Annually 2 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Beaufort Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Blackwood Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Clunes Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Daylesford Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Dean Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Forest Hill Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Landsborough Quarterly 5 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Learmonth Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Lexton Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Maryborough Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0 Waubra Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.001 0

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for selenium were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 63 TABLE 40 OTHER SUBSTANCES – NDMA

Standard Less than 0.1 µg/L (ADWG-HEALTH). Description N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a disinfection by-product primarily associated with chloramine disinfection. It can be formed due to the oxidation of natural organic matter by chlorine in the presence of ammonia. Data in the table below is from the water treatment plant clear water storage.

Water supply system Frequency No. of Max Min Mean No. samples of sampling samples (µg/L) (µg/L) (µg/L) where standard not met (s. 18) DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Ballarat Quarterly 8 0.018 < 0.003 0.006 0 Maryborough Quarterly 4 0.012 0.006 0.010 0

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for NDMA were compliant.

64 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 41 HEALTH RELATED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Description A range of organic compounds are monitored for each supply on an annual basis to ensure that they remain below health limits. Risk assessment processes for each supply determine the likely presence of organic compounds in each catchment.

Water supply Frequency No. of Benzene Benzo (a) Carbon 1,2 - 1,1 - Penta Tetra Tri 2,4,6 - Complying system of sampling samples (mg/L) pyrene tetrachloride a dichloroethane dichloroethene chlorophenol a chloroethene chloroethene trichlorophenol a (Yes/No) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Avoca Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Ballarat Annually 2 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Beaufort Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Blackwood Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 - < 0.001 < 0.0001 - < 0.001 < 0.001 - Yes

Clunes Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Daylesford Annually 4 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Dean Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Forest Hill Annually 3 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Landsborough Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Learmonth Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Lexton Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Maryborough Annually 6 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Waubra Annually 1 < 0.001 < 0.000002 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Yes

Samples collected from untreated water locations except ª carbon tetrachloride, pentachlorophenol and 2,4,6 – trichlorophenol analysed on chlorine-based disinfected treated water samples from the water treatment plant clear water storage (single samples).

Compliance summary All systems sampled for health related organic compounds were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident. No chlorine related organic compound testing was conducted within the Blackwood system as chlorine disinfection is not used at the Blackwood Water Treatment Plant.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 65 TABLE 42a PESTICIDES

Description A range of pesticides are monitored in untreated source water for each supply on an annual basis. Risk assessment processes for each supply determine the likely presence of pesticides in each catchment.

Water supply Frequency No. of OC Scan a OP Pesticides Triazine Herbicides Phenoxy AA Carbamates Dinitro- Complying system of samples (mg/L) anilines f (Yes/No) sampling Dimeth- Other OP Atrazine Simazine Terbuth- Other 2,4-D MCPA Triclopyr Other Benomyl Other (mg/L) oate Pesti- (mg/L) (mg/L) ylazine Triazine (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) Phenoxy (mg/L) Carba- (mg/L) cides b Herbi- AA d mates e (mg/L) cides c (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Avoca Annually 1 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Ballarat Annually 2 ND < 0.00002 ND 0.0001 0.00003 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 0.00002 ND 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Beaufort Annually 1 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Blackwood Annually 1 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Clunes Annually 1 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Daylesford Annually 4 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Dean Annually 1 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Forest Hill Annually 3 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Landsborough Annually 1 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Learmonth Annually 1 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Lexton Annually 1 ND < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 < 0.00001 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Maryborough Annually 6 ND 0.00003 ND 0.00017 0.00023 0.00002 ND 0.00003 0.00006 0.00007 ND 0.00003 ND ND Yes

Waubra Annually 1 ND - ND < 0.00001 < 0.00002 ND < 0.00001 - - ND < 0.00001 ND ND Yes

Health limit * - - - 0.007 - 0.02 0.02 0.01 - 0.03 0.04 0.02 - 0.09 - - -

* The health limit (ADWG) is only quoted where a pesticide was detected ND – Not detected - Not applicable a The Organo-Chlorine (OC) Scan includes the following parameters: Aldrin; BHC (alpha isomer); BHC (beta isomer); BHC (delta isomer); cis-Chlordane; trans- Chlordane; Chlordane; 4,4’-DDD; 4,4’-DDE; 4-4’-DDT; Dieldrin; Endosulfan I; Endosulfan II; Endosulphan; Endosulfan Sulfate; Endrin; Endrin Aldehyde; Endrin Ketone; Hexachlorobenzene; Heptachlor; Heptachlor Epoxide; Lindane (BHC gamma isomer); Methoxychlor; Oxy-Chlordane b The Organo-Phosphorus (OP) Pesticide group which did not have results above the test detection limit includes the following parameters: Azinphos-ethyl; Azinphos-methyl; Bromophos-ethyl; Carbofenothion; Chlorfenvinphos; Chlorpyrifos; Chlorpyrifos-methyl; Coumaphos; Demeton-O & Demeton-S; Demeton-S-methyl; Diazinon; Dichlorvos; Disulfoton; EPN; Ethion; Ethoprophos; Fenamiphos; Ronnel (Fenchlorphos); Fenitrothion; Fensulfothion; Fenthion; Malathion; Methidathion; Mevinphos; Monocrotophos; Omethoate; (Ethyl) Parathion; Methyl Parathion; Phorate; Pirimiphos-ethyl; Pirimiphos-methyl; Profenofos; Prothiofos; Sulfotep; Sulprofos; Temephos; Terbufos; Tetrachlovinphos; Triazophos; Trichlorfon; Trichloronate c The Triazine Herbicide group which did not have results above the test detection limit includes the following parameters: Ametryn; Cyanazine; Cyromazine; Irgarol; Prometryn; Propazine; Terbutryn d The Phenoxy Acetic Acid (AA) group which did not have results above the test detection limit includes the following parameters: 2,4,5-T; 2,4,6-T; 2,4-DB; 2,6-D; 4-CPA; Bentazon; Bromoxynil; Clopyralid; Dicamba; Dichlorprop; Dinoseb; Fluroxypyr; MCPB; Mecoprop; Pichloram; Silvex e The Carbamates group which did not have results above the test detection limit includes the following parameters: Aldicarb; Bendiocarb; Carbaryl; Carbofuran; 3-Hydroxy Carbofuran; Methiocarb; Methomyl; Molinate; Oxamyl; Thiobencarb; Thiodicarb f The Dinitroanilines Scan includes the following parameters: Pendimethalin; Trifluralin

66 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS TABLE 42b PESTICIDES (CONTINUED)

Water supply Frequency No. of Fungicides Sulfonylurea Herbicides ESI Pyreth- Metsul- Triazinone Diquat Paraquat Metola- Propa- Glypho- Complying system of samples Positive roids j furon Herbi- (mg/L) (mg/L) chlor chlor sate (Yes/No) sampling Tebuco- Other Diuron Other Pesticides i (mg/L) methyl cides k (mg/L) (mg/L) & AMPA nazole Fungicides g (mg/L) Sulfonyl- (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) urea Herbicides h (mg/L)

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Avoca Annually 1 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Ballarat Annually 2 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 < 0.00005 < 0.0001 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Beaufort Annually 1 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Blackwood Annually 1 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Clunes Annually 1 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Daylesford Annually 4 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00002 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Dean Annually 1 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Forest Hill Annually 3 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Landsborough Annually 1 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Learmonth Annually 1 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Lexton Annually 1 < 0.00001 ND < 0.00002 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Maryborough Annually 6 0.00003 ND 0.00003 ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 < 0.00005 < 0.0001 0.001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Waubra Annually 1 - ND - ND ND < 0.0002 < 0.005 < 0.00002 - - < 0.00001 < 0.0001 < 0.03 Yes

Health limit * - - None - 0.02 ------0.3 - - -

* The health limit (ADWG) is only quoted where a pesticide was detected ND – Not detected - Not applicable g The Fungicide group which did not have results above the test detection limit includes the following parameters: Cyproconazole; Difenoconazole; Flusilazole; Hexaconazole; Paclobutrazole; Penconazole; Propiconazole; Cyprodinil; Pyrimethanil h The Sulfonylurea Herbicide group which did not have results above the test detection limit includes the following parameters: Fluometuron; Tebuthiuron; Bromacil; Chlorsulfuron i The ESI Positive Scan includes the following parameters: Diclofop-methyl; Fenarimol; Oxyfluorfen; Thiamethoxam j The Pyrethroids Scan includes the following parameters: Bioresmethrin; Bifenthrin; Phenothrin; Lambda-cyhalothrin; Permethrin; Cyfluthrin; Cypermethrin; Fenvalverate & Esfenvalerate; Deltamethrin & Tralomethrin; Fluvalinate; Piperonyl Butoxide k The Triazinone Herbicide Scan includes the following parameters: Hexazinone; Metribuzin

Compliance summary Refer to Tables 42a and 42b. All systems sampled for pesticides were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident. Improvements in the level of detection capability by the laboratory analysis have resulted in the low level detection of some pesticides. In all cases, pesticide detections are significantly below health limits specified in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 67 TABLE 43 RADIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Description The radiological quality of drinking water is assessed by screening for gross alpha and beta concentrations which should be below 0.5 Bq/L. The risk of radiological contamination is very low. Analysis conducted on source waters.

Water supply Frequency No. of Gross alpha Gross beta Complying system of sampling samples activity activity * (Yes/No) Bq/L Bq/L DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS Avoca Annually 1 0.11 < 0.11 Yes Ballarat Annually 2 < 0.05 < 0.1 Yes Beaufort Annually 1 < 0.05 < 0.1 Yes Blackwood Annually 1 < 0.05 < 0.1 Yes Clunes Annually 1 0.15 < 0.1 Yes Daylesford Annually 4 < 0.05 < 0.1 Yes Dean Annually 1 < 0.05 < 0.1 Yes Forest Hill Annually 3 < 0.05 < 0.1 Yes Landsborough Annually 1 0.32 0.27 Yes Learmonth Annually 1 < 0.05 < 0.1 Yes Lexton Annually 1 0.18 0.11 Yes Maryborough Annually 6 0.46 0.45 Yes Waubra Annually 1 < 0.05 < 0.1 Yes

* Corrected for potassium-40 by 27.6 Bq/g

Compliance summary All drinking water systems sampled for radiological parameters were compliant. No significant trends from the previous two reporting periods are evident.

68 PART 5 WATER QUALITY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS PART 6 EMERGENCY AND INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

The information reported below provides a summary of each incident, issue or event during 2019-20 which had a potential or actual impact on the quality of the drinking water. Section 18 incidents The objective of section 18 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 is to alert DHHS to potential issues in relation to the supply of drinking water that may not comply with specific standards, which requires further investigation or actions.

TABLE 44 SECTION 18 INCIDENT SUMMARY

Date Location Nature Potentially affected / Actions taken in of incident of incident of incident affected drinking response to incident water supplies

No reports

Section 22 incidents The objective of section 22 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 is to protect public health. CHW must inform DHHS of any potential or actual contaminated water supplied for drinking purposes.

TABLE 45 SECTION 22 INCIDENT SUMMARY

Date Location Nature Potentially affected / Actions taken in of incident of incident of incident affected drinking response to incident water supplies

No reports

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 6 EMERGENCY AND INCIDENT MANAGEMENT 69 PART 7 WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Source water improvements Town planning Water quality can be affected by inappropriate development Water Resource Planning within catchments and incremental land use change from A key pillar of CHW’s water resource planning is the Urban broad-scale agriculture to residential development. To protect Water Strategy which provides a 50-year outlook for against these risks, the Corporation actively participates in community water and wastewater needs in the Central Victoria’s planning policy framework by influencing planning at Highlands region. The Urban Water Strategy was last a state and local level. developed in 2017 and is reviewed and updated every At a state level, we influence planning by: five years. The strategy sets out a range of actions to support reliable and safe water and wastewater services • Providing input and recommendations during the into the future, taking into account of forecast population development of government guidelines relating to growth, climate change, State Government policy and planning permits and residential developments in water community feedback. supply catchments • Ensuring water supply catchments are listed under Some key supporting plans also support effective water Schedule 5 of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, resource planning. The Drought Preparedness Plan identifies which establishes CHW as a referral authority response actions in the event of water supply shortages due to drought or water quality constraints. The Annual At a local level, CHW protects water supply catchments and Water Outlook provides a 1-2 year outlook which forecasts influence planning by: future water supply and demand scenarios to highlight any • Ensuring that local planning policy frameworks include developing challenges. policy statements, zoning and overlays that protect A key planning achievement during 2019-20 was finalising water catchments and publishing CHW’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which • Actively exercising referral powers by not supporting focuses on mitigating CHW’s contribution to the causes inappropriate development and disputing planning of climate change and on timely and effective adaptation permit decisions responses to a range of potential challenges, including water • Working with developers at the investigation stage, prior to quality constraints. formal planning applications, and discouraging inappropriate During 2019-20, CHW continued progress on a number development from being further considered /applied for of water quality improvement actions identified in water In 2019-20, CHW processed 89 planning permit applications resource planning processes, including: for proposed development within special water supply • Progressing concept design of the preferred option for the catchments (51% new dwellings and 49% for uses such as Waubra water quality improvement project farm sheds, vegetation removal and dwelling extensions). Of • Continuing community engagement and water quality these applications, 87 were supported and included permit investigations at Clunes conditions necessary to manage the impact of the proposed development on water quality. In several cases, applicants • Implementing an ultraviolet water treatment process at were required to undertake additional investigations and/ Dean to support enhanced performance in relation to or resubmit applications with a higher level of wastewater health-based target requirements. management in order to receive CHW’s conditional approval. In 2019-20, CHW also supported a number of strategic State Several developments did not proceed to a planning application Government initiatives, including: following CHW, often in collaboration with local government, • Leading the Central Region Integrated Water assessing risks and providing pre-application advice deeming Management Forum the development unsuitable, to prospective developers. • Reviewing climate change guidelines and urban water To ensure a consistent approach in assessing planning strategy guidelines in preparation for the Urban Water permit referrals, CHW utilises its Water Catchment Strategy 2022 update Protection – Assessment of Proposed Developments • Participating in the Long-Term Water Resource policy which was reviewed in November 2019. This policy Assessment process outlines relevant objectives and policy standards for water catchment protection. • Supporting early planning for the forthcoming Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy CHW also works with all relevant municipalities to develop and monitor progress of their Domestic Wastewater Management CHW’s Urban Water Strategy, Drought Preparedness Plan, Plans. In urban areas, this has included assisting Councils and Annual Water Outlook and Climate Change Adaptation Plan landowners to eliminate onsite wastewater systems, when are all publicly available on the CHW website. connection to sewer is feasible.

70 PART 7 WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Water Catchment Protection Policy 1. Integrated catchment management CHW utilises the ministerial guidelines for planning permit 2. Integrated water management planning applications in open, potable water supply catchment 3. Building climate resilience areas in its role as a referral agency under the Planning and 4. Environmental water entitlements Environment Act 1987. 5. Improving water quality The guidelines require local government to review and update 6. Communications and engagement with the community and Domestic Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs) to ensure other regional stakeholders the incorporation of the requirements listed in the guidelines. In 2019-20, CHW met with municipalities to review the 7. Natural resource management data sharing monitoring and compliance of DWMPs. Actions that CHW has undertaken that specifically support In addition, CHW collaborated with Coliban Water, Barwon the CMAs Regional Catchment Strategy include: Water, Southern Rural Water and Goulburn Murray Water • Contributing to the development of annual work to ensure industry consistency of decision making with plans for 2020-21 the assessment of statutory planning applications and the • Collaborating on data sharing with partner agencies introduction of new onsite treatment technologies. • Continued to align our management and enhancement Health based targets – catchment assessments of natural resources with Regional Catchment Strategies, including CHW’s annual catchment and land management CHW's drinking water catchments continued to be evaluated operations plan for biological, chemical and physical risks against the health based targets model, with a focus on groundwater Tullaroop Integrated Catchment Management Plan systems. Supplies were risk assessed with supporting water quality data to determine an appropriate source microbial The Tullaroop catchment supplies potable water for risk category. Maryborough and neighbouring towns – servicing a population over 13,000 – while also meeting other significant Catchment risk management environmental, urban and rural demands within and beyond the catchment. Integrated management will be essential in In order to better articulate the value of catchment assets, the long-term to allow the catchment to continue to meet a new environmental asset database was implemented these diverse needs amid increasing climatic, user and in a Geographic Information System (GIS) that supports environmental pressures. mobile field staff and long-term planning for operational and capital investment. CHW supported a scoping study undertaken by the North Central CMA to explore the interest and to determine the In response to an increased focus on the management of potential scope of an Integrated Catchment Management Plan. catchment assets at CHW, the Environment team completed large-scale data collection on the extent and condition of This project will develop the Tullaroop Integrated Catchment catchment assets. These are visualised through the GIS used Management Plan during 2020-21 in conjunction with all by operators to identify and control risks to water quality. stakeholders and the community. The Plan will set out a business case for long-term investment in the catchment to CHW continued to implement actions to reduce risks to water tackle key current and emerging issues such as poor water quality in its declared water supply catchments. In 2019-20, quality, degraded river health, flooding and risks to potable 58 catchment hazard notifications were managed by water supplies in a context of climate change. catchment field staff. The majority of these were in relation to perimeter fence breaches surrounding reservoirs, and human trespass. Water treatment plant improvements A number of water treatment plant improvement programs, Statutory planning permits continued to be assessed against focusing on improved treatment and operational reliability, the Ministerial Guidelines for planning permits in open potable continued to be delivered across the region in 2019-20 in water supply catchments. CHW worked with the Moorabool, accordance with our Pricing Review 2018 program. Pyrenees and Hepburn Shires in the completion of municipal Domestic Wastewater Management Plans. The completion Avoca Water Treatment Plant of this work resulted in the processing of 89 planning applications within potable water supply catchments. A project was undertaken to streamline chemical dosing at the site, which has resulted in the deactivation of ammonia All surface water catchments and bore fields were assessed dosing prior to the Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. for changes in land use and sources of pollution, and this provided accurate qualitative data for use in the annual review Additionally, a project to overhaul the control logic at the site of the risk management plan. commenced in the reporting period, and once complete, the plant will have a new Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Regional catchment strategies allowing for enhanced remote operations and increased ability to respond to plant performance issues. CHW continued to support the Victorian Government’s Our Catchments, Our Communities strategy through Catchment In conjunction with the programming upgrade, new process Partnership Agreements with the Corangamite and North instrumentation has been purchased, with installation to occur Central Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs). prior to summer 2020-21. Furthermore, in 2019-20, CHW formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with these CMAs. Ballarat Water Treatment Plants The MoU strengthens the collaborative relationship between Treated water tank cleaning was carried out by divers to the CMAs and CHW and promotes cooperation and joint reduce the potential for dirty water events at high flows. action to maintain and improve catchment health. It focuses The treated water outlet turbidity meter was replaced with on the following strategic areas of common interest: the latest optical design model to deliver the best low-level precision and sensitivity while minimising variability between measurements.

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report PART 7 WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 71 Beaufort Water Treatment Plant CHW continues to clean the Blackwood reticulation system on a regular basis to complement the ultraviolet disinfection Treated water tank cleaning was carried out by divers to process utilised at the water treatment plant. The minimum reduce the potential for dirty water events at high flows. maintenance regime consists of: Blackwood Water Treatment Plant • Air scouring of the reticulation system annually Treated water tank cleaning was carried out by divers to • Disinfection of the entire pipe network six-monthly reduce the potential for dirty water events at high flows. • Flushing of dead end mains two-monthly

Clunes Water Treatment Plant Innovative mains cleaning technology The water main connecting the water treatment plant to the CHW also uses an innovative technique for mains cleaning treated water storage was cleaned. called ice-pigging. The process utilises an ice slurry that Treated water tank cleaning was carried out by divers to is injected into the water main and travels along the main reduce the potential for dirty water events at high flows. using the existing water pressure, removing any natural accumulated sediments in the process. The treated water outlet turbidity meter was replaced with the latest optical design model to deliver the best low-level This technique uses much less water than traditional mains precision and sensitivity while minimising variability between cleaning processes and is more effective in removing measurements. fine sediments that can build up in the distribution mains over time. Daylesford Water Treatment Plant In 2019-20, CHW utilised ice-pigging to clean approximately New process instrumentation was purchased, and will be 62 kilometres of water mains. Target areas included the installed prior to summer 2020-21. Clunes system (45.2 km), the Navarre system (2.5 km), the Enfield system (9.0 km), the Miners Rest system (2.8 km) and Dean Disinfection Plant the Wendouree system (2.2 km). The new ultraviolet treatment system was fully commissioned Mains renewal program in 2019-20, providing an added treatment barrier for protozoa. CHW’s water network comprises of approximately 2,551 Forest Hill Water Treatment Plant kilometres of pipelines. For many reasons, water mains can Treated water tank cleaning was carried out by divers to burst, leak or cause dirty water. CHW monitors, records and reduce the potential for dirty water events at high flows. analyses these events. The treated water outlet turbidity meter was replaced with A program, focused on repeat problems with older pipes, is the latest optical design model to deliver the best low-level developed to replace a number of mains each year, which also precision and sensitivity while minimising variability between assists in maintaining high water quality. During 2019-20, we measurements. replaced 4.5 kilometres of water mains on this basis.

Maryborough Water Treatment Plant Tank cleaning program Treated water tank cleaning was carried out by divers to CHW maintains 47 water storage tanks and basins. Condition reduce the potential for dirty water events at high flows. assessments are conducted on tanks which determine the tank cleaning program. Tanks may also be cleaned based on The RO bypass valve was modified to minimise fluctuations in water quality results, or alternatively if tanks are taken offline water quality when initiating the RO system. or returned to service to meet operational or supply needs. A filter outlet turbidity meter was replaced with the latest optical design model to deliver the best low-level precision Treated Water Storage Improvements and sensitivity while minimising variability between During 2019-20, CHW completed investigation and planning measurements. activities on a number of our treated water storages to protect water quality. These included the: Distribution system improvements • Mount Helen Tank Mains cleaning program • Green Hill Tank • Daylesford High Level Basin CHW undertakes systematic mains cleaning through its water supply systems to improve the quality of drinking water • Wilson Street Tank supplied to customers. • Hillview Road Tank The cleaning process used varies, involving either traditional • Lincoln Basin flushing from hydrants or utilising air scouring techniques. • Enfield Basin Air scouring involves the controlled injection of filtered • Mahers Road Tank compressed air into the water mains, increasing the water flow above that of normal operation. The increased flow, Other water quality initiatives together with a controlled mix of air and water, scours the pipe and removes a build-up of sediment that can potentially • Review of specific water quality Standard contribute to dirty water, taste and odour, and microbiological Operating Procedures non-compliance. The process also conserves more water than • Regular scheduled audits are carried out on all activities traditional flushing. involving water quality

72 PART 7 WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS APPENDICES

TABLE 46 SUMMARY OF AUDIT FINDINGS

Opportunity for improvement (OFI) Actions taken in response to OFI Timeframe

1. Review the Forest Hill Process Flow Diagram and Forest Hill Process Flow Diagram reviewed, with 18 May 2020 confirm the configuration of the system and make minor modifications made to the waste line any necessary updates configuration

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report APPENDICES 73 AUDIT CERTIFICATE

Risk Management Plan Audit Certificate Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015

Certificate Number: REC-20-076 Audit period: 21 March 2018 to 9 April 2020

To: Brad Smith Coordinator Drinking Water Compliance Central Highlands Water PO Box 152 Ballarat VIC 3353

Australian Business Number (ABN): ABN 75 224 340 348

I, Karen Pither, after conducting a risk management plan audit of the water supplied by Central Highlands Water, am of the opinion that—

Central Highlands Water has complied with the obligations imposed by section 7(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 during the audit period.

9 April 2020

74 APPENDICES ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT

ADWG Australian Drinking Water Guidelines ML Megalitres (one megalitre is equal to one million litres) AWO Annual Water Outlook MoU Memorandum of Understanding AWA Australian Water Association NATA National Association of Testing Authorities BE Bulk Entitlement NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council BGA Blue-Green Algae NOM Natural Organic Matter CCP Critical Control Point NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units, a measure CHW Central Highlands Water of turbidity

CLPA Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 OFI Opportunity For Improvement

CMA Catchment Management Authority PAC Powdered Activated Carbon

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial PLC Programmable Logic Controller Research Organisation PoU Point of Use CT Chlorine Contact Time RCS Regional Catchment Strategies CWS Clear Water Storage RMP Risk Management Plan DAFF Dissolved Air Flotation and Filtration RO Reverse Osmosis DBP Disinfection By-Product RWA Rural Water Authority DC Direct Current SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition DELWP Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act 2003

DHHS Department of Health and Human Services SDWR Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015

DWMP Domestic Wastewater Management Plan TDS Total Dissolved Solids

EDR Electrodialysis Reversal THM Trihalomethanes

EDRMS Electronic Document and Records UV Ultraviolet Management System UVT Ultraviolet Transmittance EPA Environment Protection Authority Victoria UWS Urban Water Strategy ESC Essential Services Commission VCAT Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal GIS Geographic Information System WHO World Health Organisation HFA Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973 WIOA Water Industry Operators Association HU Hazen Unit, a measure of the colour of water (=Pt. Co. units) WSAA Water Services Association of Australia

< Less than WSDS Water Supply Demand Strategy mg/L Milligrams per litre WTP Water Treatment Plant

Central Highlands Water 2019-20 Water Quality Report APPENDICES 75 E T PO Box 152Ballarat Vic3353 7 LearmonthRdWendouree Vic3355 Central HighlandsWater 1800061514 [email protected] F 0353203299 chw.net.au

CHW20-08-01