MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 1

M ELBOURNE WATER C ORPORATION E NVIRONMENT AND C OMMUNITY O BLIGATION R EPORT 1998/1999 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 2

C ONTENTS

1 Foreword

2 Corporate Objectives and The Urban Water Cycle

4 Risk Management in The Urban Water Cycle

5 Fulfil Our Community Obligations

14 Be a Leader in Environmental Management

23 Glossary

24 Keeping the Community Informed

25 Drinking Water Quality

33 Eastern Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1998/1999

37 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1998/1999

44 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results

50 Verification Statement

51 Environment Policy

52 Public Health Policy

53 Community Relations Policy

55 Feedback Form

The bird illustrated on the front cover is a White Ibis. MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 1

FOREWORD

his publication reports on the Melbourne Water has developed two corporate environment, public health and objectives that reflect its responsibilities in T community responsibilities of these areas. They are: Melbourne Water. It provides information on > To fulfil our community obligations issues and challenges faced during the year and outlines initiatives being undertaken to > To be a leader in environmental improve the Corporation’s work in delivering management essential services to the community. The 1998/1999 Environment and Community Obligation publication reports on Melbourne Melbourne Water has a central role in the Water’s performance in meeting these urban water cycle. Water is harvested from objectives. It is a companion document to the catchments, stored in major reservoirs and Corporation’s 1998/1999 Annual Report. transported to the three retail water The environmental auditor of the Snowy companies who service the community. Mountains Engineering Corporation, who is Sewage and industrial waste are collected and accredited by the Environment Protection transported from these companies for Authority, has verified environment and treatment and disposal. Melbourne Water is public health compliance data contained in also responsible for the collection, transport the report. and, when appropriate, the treatment of stormwater from drainage systems owned by Comments and suggestions on the content municipal councils and for waterways and would be welcomed. floodplain management in greater Melbourne. All parts of the urban water cycle – water collection and transport, sewage treatment and disposal, effluent recycling and stormwater management – involve significant Brian Bayley environmental and public health issues. Managing Director In undertaking its responsibilities in managing the urban water cycle, Melbourne Water is also accountable to its customers and the community.

1 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 2

C ORPORATE O BJECTIVES AND T HE U RBAN W ATER C YCLE

Melbourne Water’s role in the urban water cycle is underpinned by two key corporate objectives – to fulfil our community obligations and to be a leader in environmental management. They are supported by strategic directions that involve: Precipitation

Providing high quality, safe drinking water When rain falls it is > Working with the retail water companies to harvested in Melbourne’s maintain a reliable supply of safe drinking water protected catchments that consistently meets the requirements defined most of which are closed in their operating licences. to the public. > Continuing to undertake research on Melbourne’s water supply to determine whether there are any health effects from drinking unfiltered water. > Maintaining public confidence in the safety of Melbourne’s water supply through working with the retail water companies and the Department of Human Services to provide accurate information on drinking water quality and to ensure a coordinated response to drinking water quality issues.

Informing and educating the community > Undertaking community education programs on the sewerage, drainage and water supply systems. > Enhancing relationships with local communities and community groups. > Undertaking effective community consultation on infrastructure and research projects. > Involving the community in projects to improve Melbourne’s waterways.

Protecting Melbourne’s waterways and bays > Continuously improving the performance of the Water evaporates to form sewerage system and treatment plants. rain clouds. > Meeting all regulatory requirements. Evaporation > Minimising the impact of stormwater run-off on waterways and bays. > Undertaking research to maximise the Effluent is discharged to environmental benefit of expenditure on upgrades bays and oceans. to treatment plants. Bays and Oceans

2 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 3

Water supply to retail water companies Water collection and The retail water companies catchment management provide water and sewage Rainwater from the services to metropolitan Stormwater management catchments is stored at Melbourne. Approximately 16 major reservoirs 480,000 million litres of fresh Stormwater runs into drains around Melbourne. water is transported to homes and waterways which carry and businesses each year by it to Port Phillip Bay and the retail water companies. Western Port.

The Urban Water Cycle

Household and industrial waste is collected by the retail water companies and is transported to Melbourne Water’s treatment plants.

Recycled water is used for Sewage treatment a range of agricultural and horticultural purposes. Rainwater is released from reservoirs to maintain flows Water recycling in Melbourne’s waterways.

Waterways

3 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 4

R ISK M ANAGEMENT IN T HE U RBAN W ATER C YCLE

Melbourne Water’s risk management policy ensures that Incident level three risk is managed consistently throughout the organisation Incidents needing resolution with a significant and throughout the urban water cycle. A Risk Audit environmental or public health impact.

Procedure is based on risk focus areas, including Incident level two environment and public health. Minor incidents which relate to statutory requirements Management systems address each of the risk focus areas and/or are of longer duration. and involve: Incident level one > Identifying impacts and regulatory obligations Incidents needing resolution with a minor environmental or public health impact. > Establishing policies to guide activity In determining the level of an incident, factors taken into > Ensuring day-to-day management is satisfactory account include: > Developing improvement plans where required > The degree to which Melbourne Water contributed to > Reporting internally and externally so that information the incident is available for decision making > Whether Melbourne Water had to suspend operations > Auditing and reviewing activities to make sure they are > Whether the incident was within Melbourne Water’s meeting stated objectives. control or influence These systems ensure Melbourne Water is fully aware of its > The severity and duration of the incident. environmental and public health responsibilities, and that these responsibilities are actively managed to ensure There were no Level Three, Four or Five incidents during compliance with all relevant legislation. Where legislation the year, and Melbourne Water reduced Level Two incidents is silent, the Corporation follows the most appropriate from 27 to 8. At the same time, Level One incidents guideline. For example, some parameters have been adopted increased from 69 last year to 75 during 1998/99. from the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Details of these incidents are provided in the report. In other cases, Melbourne Water has developed its own policies on environment and community obligations. Examples include the No Sewage Spills and Community Relations policies.

Incidents Melbourne Water uses a hierarchy of seriousness for reporting incidents. This allows the Corporation to compare incident records from year to year. In the four years the hierarchy has been used, there has not been an incident at the two highest levels: five and four. Melbourne Water responds to some incidents not attributable to its operations; for example pollution of waterways by factories or other businesses. Such incidents are not assigned an incident level.

Description of incident levels

Incident level five Catastrophic incidents needing resolution which have an irreversible environmental or serious public health impact.

Incident level four Major incidents which are serious in nature and of longer duration that result in widespread community concern.

4 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 5

F ULFIL OUR C OMMUNITY O BLIGATIONS

Providing High Quality, Safe Drinking Water

Key Achievements and Issues for 1998/99 > 12 people were prosecuted for being in closed catchment areas and six cases are pending. > Melbourne Water supplied the metropolitan retail water companies with 489,700 million litres of water. > More than 40,000 tests were carried out on drinking water samples taken from some 140 sites within Melbourne Water’s system including the interface points with the retail system. > The Corporation achieved its target for 99 per cent of the water samples being free of faecal coliform bacteria. > A research project began to determine whether pathogens, such as crytosporidium & giardia, from animals in the water supply catchments, have an impact on drinking water quality. > There were 29 incidents at disinfection plants, most of them caused by power or equipment failure. Arrangements were put in place for back up generators at five plants in the Yaara Valley where power supply is more unreliable. > Melbourne Water adopted a community relations policy in December 1998. > An external reference group was established to help produce an operating charter for waterways and drainage.

About 90 per cent of Melbourne’s water comes from fully > Treat water in 69 chlorination, fluoridation, filtration protected catchments. These harvesting catchments cover and pH correction plants more than 130,000 hectares of Mountain Ash forest. > Add fluoride to the water as required by the The remaining 10 per cent of water comes from unprotected Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973 catchments. This water is fully treated. > Undertake a comprehensive water quality monitoring program. Melbourne Water is responsible for restricting human access to the catchments, limiting the potential for contamination of water supplies. The catchments are patrolled and since January 1999, 12 people have been prosecuted for being in closed catchment areas and six cases are pending. In 1998/99 Melbourne Water supplied the metropolitan retail water companies – City West Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water – with a total of 489,700 million litres. The water supplied to the retailers is required to meet these parameters: > National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Australian Water Resources Council 1987 Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality in Australia. > The Health (Quality of Drinking Water) Regulations 1991. A Memorandum of Understanding between Melbourne Water and the Department of Human Services outlines how the Corporation manages drinking water quality to maintain and improve public health. The memorandum requires Melbourne Water to: > Manage Melbourne’s water catchments and storages

5 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 6

Key drinking water research projects Melbourne Water aims to meet a target of 90 per cent of In 1998/99 Melbourne Water was involved in a number samples should contain no more than 10 coliforms per of research projects to protect drinking water quality and 100 millilitres at the interface points between the water supply. These projects included: Melbourne Water and retail water companies’ systems.

Research project Purpose Agencies involved Notifiable pathogens Reliability of water supply Water quality monitoring includes testing for pathogens Catchment hydrology, Understanding relationship Cooperative Research that may affect the health of people drinking the water. water resources between type and age of forests in Centre for Catchment and supply the catchments and water yield Hydrology The Department of Human Services has to be notified immediately by the testing laboratories if it detects these Inflow scenario and Understanding catchment yield Melbourne University headworks modelling and impact of environmental flow pathogens in water samples. diversions on the water available for distribution Target values have not been set for the organisms.

Protecting drinking water quality The Corporation takes action if any “non-zero” levels are

Water Quality Study Testing the impact on community Cooperative Research detected. Throughout 1998/99, no notifiable pathogens health of filtering Melbourne’s Centre for Water were detected in the routine monitoring program. However, water supply Quality and Treatment in August 1998, a notifiable pathogen was detected during Catchment sources Identifying whether organisms Melbourne University special monitoring for the Water Quality Study carried out of microorganisms carried by animals in catchments have the potential to impact on under the auspices of the Cooperative Research Centre for drinking water quality Water Quality and Treatment.

Optimisation of Identifying the most efficient Cooperative Research chlorine residuals in chlorine distribution to ensure Centre for Water An incident was declared following the isolation of the distribution systems optimum water quality Quality and Treatment pathogen Campylobacter from a composite water sample, which consisted of water from the Silvan-Waverley and Drinking water quality monitoring program Melbourne Water undertakes a comprehensive program of drinking water quality testing. In 1998/99, more than 40,000 tests were carried out on samples taken from some 140 sites. The samples were taken from raw water sites, entry points to the systems of the metropolitan retail water companies, transfer mains and service reservoirs. They were tested for a range of parameters including faecal coliforms, total coliforms and residual chlorine levels.

Coliform bacteria levels In 1998/99 the Corporation achieved its target for 99 per cent of the water samples being free of faecal coliform bacteria.

Sugarloaf

Yan Yean

Greenvale

Melbourne

6 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 7

Cardinia systems. No other indicator organisms were then downgraded and a specific monitoring program was detected and therefore the probability of faecal put in place in conjunction with the Department. contamination was low. A low number of Aeromonas bacteria were detected at Pathogenic Campylobacter can cause bacterial Surrey Hills Reservoir in January 1999. The pathogenicity gastrointestinal illness in humans. Provided water has low of Aeromonas and risk to human health is considered turbidity, standard disinfection procedures are sufficient to relatively low. There is no specific guideline value and control the pathogen in distribution systems. detections are not notifiable. However, in line with the Corporation’s own protocols, the detection was Melbourne Water responded to detection of the discussed with the Department of Human Services and pathogen by: Yarra Valley Water. > Resampling Additional chlorination of the reservoir was undertaken > Flushing water mains as a precaution and no Aeromonas bacteria were detected > ‘Spot dosing’ all storages within the system in follow-up sampling. > Analysing chlorinator performance over previous months > Increasing dosing levels on the Silvan-Waverley and Protozoan pathogen monitoring program Cardinia chlorinators A research project has begun to determine whether > Inspecting storages for the presence of birds or animals pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, from which could have been the source of the contamination. animals in the water supply catchments, have an impact on drinking water quality. Previous research established The Corporation liaised daily with the Department of the presence of the pathogens in source water but did Human Services throughout the incident and follow-up not identify individual species or the viability of sampling did not detect Campylobacter. The incident was the organisms.

Thomson

Upper Yarra

O’Shannassy Maroondah

oaf Silvan

Cardinia

7 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 8

Disinfection plant operation Action taken to improve disinfection plant performance Melbourne Water operates 48 chlorination, chloramination and reliability included: and ultra-violet irradiation plants to disinfect water supplies. > Installation of back-up power generators at five plants The current objective is for disinfection plants to function in the Yarra Valley where power cuts are more frequent satisfactorily for at least 99 per cent of their operating time. than in other areas During the year there were 29 incidents at disinfection > Improved maintenance programs and spare plants, most of them caused by power or equipment failures. parts inventories > A review of telemetry systems to reduce operator response times > Enhanced emergency response and recovery plans > Skills development programs for plant operators > Implementation of a new ‘permit to work’ system.

Turbidity meters During the year, on-line turbidity measuring instruments were installed at the Silvan, Cardinia and Greenvale reservoirs and on the Yarra-Silvan conduit. The meters measure the amount of suspended particles in the water. This is important because high turbidity reduces the disinfection effect of chlorine. The meters will increase Melbourne Water’s understanding of rainfall and other events on water quality.

Vandalism In December 1998 a ventilation cover on the roof of the All such disinfection plant events are declared incidents. Quarry Hill Tank was found to have been removed after Melbourne Water responds to each incident to minimise the reports of vandalism at the site. An incident was declared chance of water reaching customers that has not been and the tank was immediately taken out of service. disinfected. The response can include dosing water with Samples of the water in the tank were tested, but the results sodium hypochlorite, scouring water and isolating did not indicate any contamination. The tank was returned downstream reservoirs. The retail companies are notified to normal operation. of incidents and incident debriefs are held.

8 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 9

Fluoridation plant reliability Drinking water quality improvements The Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973 requires Melbourne The new Yarra Glen Filtration Plant was commissioned Water to fluoridate drinking water to help prevent in November 1998 after satisfactory performance testing. tooth decay. The plant is now supplying Yarra Valley Water and its customers with filtered water. Under the Act, the calculated long-term (12 month) average fluoride concentration in the water is required to The plant was built to meet Melbourne Water be not in excess of 1 milligram per litre. The monthly commitments in its Bulk Water Supply Agreement with fluoride concentration levels are required to be between Yarra Valley Water. 0.7 and 1.2 milligrams per litre. New disinfection plants at Somerton and Cowies Hill in These targets were achieved throughout 1998/99. Werribee were successfully commissioned and placed in service in August 1998. Disinfection plants were upgraded Drinking water quality risk assessment During the year Melbourne Water commissioned an at Garfield, Bunyip, Mornington, Western Port, independent risk assessment of the Corporation’s drinking Somers/Flinders, Tynong, Koo-Wee-Rup and Yan Yean. water quality management system. Recommissioning of Yan Yean water treatment plant The Yan Yean Reservoir and Treatment Plant were Egis Consulting Australia undertook the assessment and recommissioned in July 1998. They had been taken out found that Melbourne Water’s Risk Management of service in February that year because of persistent taste Framework is at the forefront of the water industry. and odour problems. Egis recommended further improvements to the Historically the introduction of water from Yan Yean after system including: a period off-line has resulted in customer complaints about > A formal plan to address longer-term water quality issues taste and odour. This time the water was progressively > A more comprehensive set of water quality management introduced over three days in a cooperative exercise programs and improvement plans for the various involving Melbourne Water, Yarra Valley Water and catchments and supply systems. Yan Yean Water. A taste test panel checked samples of the water from the plant and distribution system for taste Melbourne Water is considering the recommendations in and odour. There were no complaints from Yarra Valley conjunction with the metropolitan retail water companies. Water customers. Protocols for major drinking water quality incidents The three-day introduction of Yan Yean water was used Melbourne Water has agreed to three protocols for major again successfully in November 1998 after a six-week water quality incidents with the Department of Premier and shutdown to refill the reservoir with Silvan water. Cabinet and the Minister for Health. The protocols were developed in consultation with the Department of Natural Blue-green algae Resources and Environment, the Water Reform Unit and In March 1999, growth of blue-green algae in Yan Yean the metropolitan retail water companies. Reservoir reached a level where taste and odour in the treated water were noticeable. The protocol for Detection of Pathogens in Water Supply outlines procedures to be followed when pathogens are An incident was declared and the reservoir and treatment detected in the water supply. The protocol for Public plant removed from service. The algae were left to die Report of Illness Attributed to Water Supply outlines naturally, but the bloom unexpectedly heightened. procedures to be followed when a member of the public Despite this, the algae did not produce any toxins. claims illness due to drinking water. The third protocol There were no adverse effects on water supplied from on industry accountabilities clarifies the separate Silvan Reservoir. responsibilities for managing major water quality incidents in general. The protocols complement Melbourne Water’s Standard Operating Procedures for managing water quality contaminants with the Department of Human Services.

9 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 10

C ASE S TUDY

Protecting water supplies from Cryptosporidium

Melbourne Water was well represented at a major international conference on Cryptosporidium held in Melbourne in early October 1998. Cryptosporidium was one of the pathogens found in Sydney’s water supply in 1998. The conference brought together leaders in Cryptosporidium research from around the world in the areas of epidemiology, parasitology and risk assessment. Researchers at the conference concluded that it is not possible at present to determine safe limits for Cryptosporidium in drinking water. Internationally, the preferred approach to minimising the risk of contamination by Cryptosporidium is the ‘multiple barrier approach’ operating from catchment to tap. Melbourne Water’s drinking water strategy is based on this approach. A national working group has been established to review the sections on Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the 1996 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Melbourne Water is the only water utility represented on the group, which also includes specialists in medical research and health regulation. During the year, the Department of Human Services issued a draft discussion paper on how water companies should respond to detection of Cryptosporidium or Giardia in the water supply. The paper proposed a lower trigger level for resampling if the pathogens were detected. Melbourne Water’s protocol with the Department on Cryptosporidium and Giardia has been amended to include the lower trigger level – 0.1 oocysts/L.

10 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 11

F ULFIL OUR C OMMUNITY O BLIGATIONS

Maintaining Positive Community Relations

Introduction Melbourne Water also involved the community in planning Maintaining public confidence in Melbourne Water’s improved flood protection for land surrounding the management of the urban water cycle is crucial to Bunyip Main Drain. Local people were consulted on a fully the Corporation’s success in achieving its objectives, independent review of the issues and technical documents. and community consultation is integrated into Melbourne The independent review identified rehabilitation of the Water’s business. Bunyip Main Drain as the highest priority action. Melbourne Water adopted a Community Relations Policy A 10 year program of rehabilitation work is planned to in December 1998 to ensure the Corporation actively seeks begin in late 1999 with a high level of community support. community input at an early stage in its decision As the manager of Melbourne’s waterways, Melbourne making processes. Water is also responsible for administering irrigation and All technical project managers have taken part in training stock water diversions from the Maribyrnong and Yarra to ensure community consultation requirements are assessed Rivers. Recent changes to the system for licensing these at the start of planning for major capital, maintenance and diversions, in addition to water restrictions due to a research projects. long-running period of low rainfall, required Melbourne

Community consultation Water to consult extensively with the more than 1,500 Melbourne Water designs and implements capital works licensed diverters along the two rivers. projects to minimise their impact on the community and An intensive period of consultation with Maribyrnong ensure the involvement of residents, community groups diverters resulted in the successful renegotiation of a number and other organisations. of irrigation permits to better reflect historical water use On some projects, consultative committees and existing and existing agricultural investment in the Keilor valley. community organisations played an important role in Melbourne Water also facilitated trading of irrigation helping Melbourne Water plan major projects. permits for the first time to allow the best use of scarce During 1998/99 community liaison committees were resources while protecting the environmental values of formed at the Eastern and Western Treatment Plants. the rivers. These committees play an important role in advising on the development and implementation of strategies to improve the environmental performance of the plants. Consultation over the Effluent Management Strategy for the Eastern Treatment Plant culminated in two very successful workshops with key community stakeholders. An external reference group was also established to help produce an Operating Charter which outlines Melbourne Water’s goals and responsibilities for waterways and drainage. The reference group included representatives from environment groups, local government, research organisations and the development industry.

11 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 12

F ULFIL OUR C OMMUNITY O BLIGATIONS

Future Priorities

The following initiatives are key community priorities for Melbourne Water: > Continue to undertake flood protection works and work with councils to include building overlays for flood-prone areas in council planning schemes. > Carry out research and development on drinking water quality, waterway enhancement, wetland design and conservation management. > Work with the metropolitan retail water companies and the Department of Human Services to maintain confidence in the safety of Melbourne’s water supply. > Manage risk particularly in relation to community obligations for drinking water quality, asset management, and coordinated emergency response. > Pursue ISO 9000 accreditation for Melbourne Water’s Drinking Water Quality Management System. > Enhance relationships with community groups and local communities. > Prepare an Improvement Plan that describes the medium-term advancements Melbourne Water will make in meeting community obligations.

12 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 13

C ASE S TUDY

Community consultation makes a difference at Woodlands

Melbourne Water was surprised to find 12 local environment groups in the Mordialloc-Braeside area when it began community consultation on the Woodlands Industrial Estate wetlands development. A vastly superior wetland system will result from the relationships built with these groups and their input into each stage of the development. The wetlands are being built to treat stormwater from the nearby Dunlop’s Drain, to improve the water quality of Mordialloc Creek and also provide an attractive wildlife habitat. Community consultation included public meetings, site visits, regular newsletters and public participation in the design of the lake currently being built as part of the development’s first phase. At the first meeting with Melbourne Water, local groups were concerned that a significant stand of redgums next to the site could be adversely affected by the development of the industrial estate and wetlands. As a result, the local organisations were involved in a Technical Working Group which helped analyse and modify the design of the first lake and its surrounds. A key element of the second phase of the wetlands is the construction of two further lakes. Before they can be built, Melbourne Water has to backfill a large pit created from excavated earth. This pit is 200 metres long, 100 metres wide and 12 metres deep. It will ultimately become the foundation of one of the two lakes, but is currently too deep. Clay or other backfill material is very expensive and hard to find in large quantities. Melbourne Water is considering the use of biosolids from the nearby Eastern Treatment Plant as an alternative. Before seeking Environment Protection Authority (EPA) approval for such a move, however, the Corporation contacted all the local environment groups to again ask for their input. Their response endorsed Melbourne Water’s use of the waste material. Representatives of the environmental groups will now be involved in gaining EPA approval and in designing the lakes and their surrounds.

13 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 14

B E A L EADER IN E NVIRONMENTAL M ANAGEMENT

Sewage treatment, transfer and disposal

Key Achievements and Issues for 1998/99 > The Western Treatment Plant achieved 100 per cent EPA Licence compliance for effluent discharge and the Eastern Treatment Plant achieved 99.6 per cent overall licence compliance. > Melbourne Water reduced Level Two incidents from 27 to 8. At the same time, Level One incidents increased from 69 last year to 75 during 1998/99. > In 1998/99 there were 39 odour incidents, compared with 18 in 1997/98 and 43 in 1996/97. > There were three sewer spills during the year. The total volume of sewage spilled to the environment was 1.2 megalitres or 0.00037 per cent of all sewage handled in the sewerage system. > The North Western Sewer was completed which has eliminated spills into Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek. > The CSIRO released its findings on the Effluent Management Study > Work started on a $120 million upgrade to the Western Treatment Plant to improve effluent quality, reduce odour and green house gas emissions and increase effluent recycling > The monitoring program for the decommissioned Dandenong Treatment Plant was expanded and work commenced on a detailed site risk assessment. > Work started on a $1 million study to investigate the impact of urbanisation on the Yarra River. > Melbourne Water responded to 20 pollution spills to waterways. > A $2.5 million drainage survey enabled Melbourne Water to provide property owners and developers with greatly improved data on drainage and flood risks.

Introduction Treatment plant licence compliance Melbourne Water removes sewage from the three retail The EPA issues operating licences for both the Western water companies in greater Melbourne – City West Water, Treatment Plant and the Eastern Treatment Plant. South East Water and Yarra Valley Water. A total of Discharges from the plants are tested against the limits set 317,200 million litres of sewage was removed in 1998/99. by the EPA. The Corporation operates more than 380 kilometres In 1998/99 the Western Treatment Plant achieved 100 per of sewers, which transfer sewage to the Western Treatment cent compliance with its EPA licence for effluent discharge Plant at Werribee and the Eastern Treatment Plant quality. The Eastern Treatment Plant achieved an overall at Carrum. compliance level of 99.6 per cent. The plants treated about 93 per cent of Melbourne’s sewage The Eastern Treatment Plant figure reflected elevated in 1998/99. The rest was treated at local treatment plants concentrations of mercury found in the effluent on three operated by the retail water companies. occasions. Routine and follow-up sampling and analyses of raw sewage, sludge and process streams failed to detect The Western and Eastern Treatment Plants operate and mercury at other than normal levels. Possible sources discharge treated effluent into Port Phillip Bay and Bass of mercury being discharged to the sewerage system were Strait respectively under the terms of licences issued by investigated and the EPA was informed. the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). There is also a Memorandum of Understanding between Melbourne People who use the effluent for agriculture were informed Water and the EPA. of the results and advised when samples returned to normal.

14 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 15

C ASE S TUDY

A new sewer improves water quality in waterways

The $225 million North Western Sewer, which was completed during the year, was designed to replace older sewers that can no longer cope with the loads imposed by population increases. The sewer has eliminated spills into the Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek from two main sewers that were previously overloaded during extreme wet weather. This has helped improve water quality in those waterways as well as Port Phillip Bay. The new sewer was completed on schedule and $28 million under budget after eight years of construction. It runs under roads, shops, creeks and houses from Moonee Ponds to Brooklyn and is 40 metres below the surface at its lowest point. The 12 kilometre sewer is designed to take pressure off inner city sewers and meet the needs of future generations. It currently services about 150,000 households in the northern and western suburbs and provides capacity to service 200,000 additional households in the future. The complex and challenging project was the second largest addition to Melbourne’s sewerage system in 100 years. It involved tunnelling through a range of earth types and building a sewer ‘siphon’. Shaped like a large ‘s-bend’, the siphon was built under the Maribyrnong River and links the north and south sections of the sewer.

15 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 16

Waste management at Western Treatment Plant Reducing spills The EPA has endorsed the Western Treatment Plant waste Spills of sewage from the sewerage system are a risk to management plan. The plan includes toxicant reductions public health and the environment. Melbourne Water has in the mixing zones, and nitrogen reduction in effluent, a policy of No Sewage Spills to the environment. effluent and sludge recycling and a waste minimisation The Corporation endeavours at all times to prevent sewage program. The plant’s operating licence required a mixing spills due to operational failure – equipment breakdown zone compliance monitoring program to be undertaken. or human error. It aims to progressively eliminate spills due This was conducted from January 1998 to January 1999. to hydraulic deficiency – insufficient pipe or pump capacity to meet the agreed flow containment standard. The monitoring program showed that the Western Treatment Plant does not always meet these parameters at During 1998/99, the number of sewage spills reduced the mixing zone perimeter even though all water quality considerably due to the impact of the newly commissioned parameters in the licence are met at the discharge points. North Western Sewer, improved sewer maintenance and A number of options to resolve the mixing zone issues are dry weather. being developed. There were three sewage spills during the year. Two spills Odour complaints were classified as significant due to the volume of sewage Melbourne Water investigates all public complaints of spilt. These were due to hydraulic deficiency at the odours from the sewerage system, including from the Fanny Street pumping station resulting in spills to the Eastern Treatment Plant and the Western Treatment Plant. Moonee Ponds Creek. This situation has been rectified In 1998/99, there were 39 “odour incidents”, compared with the commissioning of the North Western Sewer in with 18 in 1997/98 and 43 in 1996/97. August 1998. The Corporation takes action if complaints lead to the The other spill was due to a cracked flange on a rising identification of maintenance or other problems. main during bypass pumping at the Epsom Road Main For example, an odour in the Montgomery Park area in Sewer rehabilitation site. Clean-up and disinfection of the April 1999 led to the discovery of faulty fans in a shaft on spill was completed on the day it was detected. the North Western Sewer. The fans were repaired. There were no spills due to extreme rainfall. Melbourne Water’s aim is to contain any persistent The total volume of sewage spilled to the environment objectionable odours within the boundaries of its property. during the financial year was 1.2 megalitres or 0.00037 Blue-green algae per cent of all the sewage handled in the sewerage system. Blue-green algae, including the potentially toxic genus Key treatment plant research projects Microcystis, were found in some lagoons at the Western In 1998/99 Melbourne Water was involved in a number of Treatment Plant during the summer of 1998/99. Alert level research projects to improve the environmental performance 3 (more than 15,000 cells/mL) was exceeded at the 115E of its treatment plants. These projects included: Lagoon and 15E Outlet. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Improving environmental Agencies were notified and public notices were displayed within the performance Purpose involved

plant and along the foreshore at affected outlets. Effluent Management Understanding and developing ways CSIRO, Study at Eastern to reduce the long-term impact Monash University Waste minimisation – increasing the use of biosolids Treatment Plant of effluent on the Boags Rocks and effluent recycling environment through increased recycling, treatment plant improvements and Maximising effluent and sludge recycling is an EPA licence possible use of an extended outfall requirement for both Eastern and Western Treatment Aeration process Evaluating treatment options to Kinhill Pty Ltd Plants. Melbourne Water approved a strategy document study at Eastern improve energy efficiency and for effluent recycling in October 1998. Recycling targets Treatment Plant effluent quality of 40 per cent at Western Treatment Plant and 10 per cent Effluent Toxicity Understanding the impact of AWT Victoria, Testing components of effluent on animal Marine and Fresh Water at Eastern Treatment Plant by the year 2009 were agreed. and plant life near outfall Resources Institute

Some 32 businesses already use recycled effluent from the Mixing zone studies Determining the appropriate test Marine and Fresh Water Eastern Treatment Plant, predominantly in agriculture and in Port Phillip Bay species and toxicity testing techniques Resources Institute to assess the ecological impact of horticulture and for recreational reserves. effluent discharges Melbourne Water began developing a sludge management strategy during the year to cover the Eastern and Western Treatment Plants. This strategy is expected to be completed in December 1999 and will assess available sludge management technologies, including recycling, and options for implementation at both plants.

16 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 17

Management of the decommissioned Dandenong Treatment Plant Dandenong Treatment Plant has not been used since February 1996 when all flows were diverted to Eastern Treatment Plant. The site is subject to an EPA Pollution Abatement Notice. The key site concerns are related to contaminated soil and sludge, site maintenance and groundwater contamination. During the year, the requirements of the Pollution Abatement Notice were met. The site monitoring program had earlier recorded extremely low levels of dioxins/furans in groundwater. One sample exceeded the United States Environment Protection Agency criteria for aquatic ecosystem protection. An expanded monitoring program was implemented during the year and results from this program showed significant reductions in the levels of dioxins/furans, with all test bores showing results less than the US EPA aquatic ecosystem protection level. During the year discussions between Melbourne Water and the EPA resulted in agreement that a detailed site risk assessment should be conducted. Consultants have been selected and the assessment will be completed by the end of 1999.

Effluent Management Study The CSIRO completed its two-year effluent management study at the Eastern Treatment Plant. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of effluent discharged from the South East Outfall at Boags Rocks, Cape Schanck, on the marine environment in Bass Strait. The CSIRO found that there had been ecological changes on the rocky platform of Boags Rocks. Testing showed that the treated effluent with its high ammonia concentration and freshwater nature was toxic to some marine organisms in the area. However, any effect diminished rapidly with distance from the outfall. This was because the effluent was mildly toxic and mixed quickly with seawater. The CSIRO also found that the outfall posed no threat to fish or humans consuming seafood harvested in the vicinity. The main ecological impact was the disappearance of the Hormosira banksii (Neptune’s necklace) and Durvilleae potatorum (Bull kelp). Several opportunistic green algae and Boccardia proboscidea a worm has partially occupied the void, which had been replaced by a species of green algae. The CSIRO report concluded that while extending the outfall into deeper water would allow the Boags Rocks ecosystem to recover, it may not reduce the ecological effects further afield, nor would it lessen the risk of algal blooms. The report recommended that a strategy be adopted to reduce the amount of ammonia in effluent and increase the volume of effluent used for recycling.

17 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 18

C ASE S TUDY

Involving experts to shape future path for treatment plant

Melbourne Water brought together 20 international and Australian experts on lagoon treatment and nitrogen removal technologies to help plan process improvements at the Western Treatment Plant. The experts attended a six-day workshop in February 1999. The workshop played a significant role in finalising the $120 million upgrade to the Western Treatment Plant, a key component of which is the reduction of nitrogen inputs into Port Phillip Bay in accordance with EPA licence requirements. The workshop aimed to identify a preferred process concept to take the Western Treatment Plant into the next millennium, improving its business and environmental performance, reducing discharges and fulfilling operating licence requirements. Experts at the workshop, who came from Australia, the United States and South Africa, identified and developed three lagoon upgrade process options for reducing nitrogen loads from the Werribee plant. The workshop led to a decision to add activated sludge technology to the lagoon systems. In the activated sludge process, conditions are created that encourage nitrogen- removing bacteria to multiply. These bacteria are captured in the activated sludge system and mixed continuously with sewage to increase the rate of nitrogen removal. The decision to use the activated sludge concept was based on a range of factors, including overall costs, reliability in fulfilling EPA licence requirements and other environmental factors such as minimising odour and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Representatives from the EPA, the metropolitan retail water companies and Melbourne Water management attended review sessions during the workshop.

18 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 19

B E A L EADER IN E NVIRONMENTAL M ANAGEMENT

Protecting Melbourne’s Waterways

Introduction Throughout 1998/99, the required flows were maintained Melbourne Water manages regional drainage from with the exception of one incident on the Thomson River catchments in and around Melbourne. In most areas, below the Thomson Dam. An electrical storm caused an local councils manage local drainage. The Corporation is interruption of the power supply, shutting down the hydro also responsible for managing the environmental condition station. Flows to the river also stopped and The Narrows of waterways and for floodplain management. flow dropped to 53 megalitres per day, less than the Melbourne Water works with local councils to help develop required flow of 80 ML/d. local stormwater management plans. The Corporation plays Meeting State Environment Protection Policy targets an important role in the planning process, providing advice Melbourne Water monitors water quality in creeks and to councils on development proposals. A $2.5 million rivers and measures the findings against the targets outlined drainage survey has enabled Melbourne Water to provide in the State Environment Protection Policy. property owners and developers with greatly improved data During 1998/99 waterways within greater Melbourne on drainage and flood risks. generally had lower dissolved oxygen concentrations The survey provided data on how Melbourne’s underground compared with 1997/98, good to fair water clarity, drains would cope with a one-in-100 year storm event – acceptable pH, and elevated nutrients and E.coli. that is, a storm the severity of which is expected to occur The dissolved oxygen measurements probably reflect lower once every 100 years. The data is now being incorporated flows and warmer water temperatures. into local planning schemes as Special Building Overlays. Wet weather in late February, early March, late April and The State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) late May seemed to be responsible for poorer E.coli results establishes objectives for the management of waterways in and, to some extent, water clarity in the Maribyrnong, Greater Melbourne. Waterways are classified into eight Werribee and Yarra Rural catchments. E.coli results in the SEPP segments: Western Port and Yarra Urban catchments exceeded SEPP > Yarra Mainstream and Estuary objectives. This is not unusual for those waterways because > Western Port Waterways East the SEPP objectives are more stringent. > Waters of the Dandenong Valley Elevated nutrients are typical for waterways within greater > Urban Tributaries Melbourne as a result of urban and agricultural pressures > Rural East and West such as overuse of fertilisers, unsewered areas with septic > Other Western Waterways tanks, and stock waste. For detailed information on testing > Mornington Peninsula against SEPP objectives, see page 45. > Maribyrnong River and Tributaries. During the year, water from a total of 81 sites was tested. Melbourne Water monitors waterways for dissolved oxygen, Of these, 28 (35 per cent) had a geometric mean above their turbidity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, E.coli, lead and SEPP objective. zinc. It reports the findings against targets established in the SEPP. Measurements of some indicators are forwarded to Reporting alert levels the EPA if they are higher than agreed ‘alert’ levels. Melbourne Water and the EPA agreed water quality alert levels in 1994. Alert levels are set well above water quality The Corporation has long-term strategies to improve the objectives in the SEPP, and are intended to draw attention quality of water in Melbourne’s creeks and rivers. to abnormally poor water quality. It undertakes works designed to protect and improve environmental values along the waterways. These works During the year, there were a total of 462 alert level include rehabilitating waterways, restoring riparian zones ‘exceedances’ reported – about 2.5 per cent of the total along private waterway frontages, controlling weeds, number of water quality measurements. Since January 1998, revegetation projects and installing silt and litter traps. the top six exceeding sites were on Brushy Creek, Watsons Creek, Stony Creek, Yallock Outfall, Elster Creek and Environmental flows Olinda Creek. The State Environment Protection Policy requires Melbourne Water to maintain a minimum daily flow of 245 megalitres in the Yarra River at Warrandyte. Melbourne Water has also agreed to maintain passing flows at a further 19 sites.

19 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 20

Key waterway research projects These spills, while not the responsibility of Melbourne In 1998/99 Melbourne Water was involved in a number Water, have the potential to cause damage to waterways and of research projects to enhance the health of waterways. require prompt response. A pollution response protocol is in These projects included: place to manage such spills.

Studies related Blue-green algal blooms to enhancing Agencies waterway health Purpose involved Melbourne Water monitored a network of waterway locations

Urban water management Understanding the impact of Cooperative Research for algal blooms from the beginning of November 1998 to including Yarra River urbanisation on ecology of streams Centre for the end of March 1999. There were three significant blooms Urbanisation Study and and the effectiveness of wetlands Freshwater Ecology the performance of in improving stormwater quality – at the Monbulk Creek Retarding Basin, Berwick Springs stormwater wetlands Lake and Lake Carramar (Patterson Lakes). Platypus biology Identifying the location of platypus Australian Platypus and distribution populations and what factors Conservancy A bloom was detected in the Monbulk Creek Retarding Basin affect their prevalence in Belgrave Heights in the first round of summer testing. Sources of faecal Developing techniques that CSIRO Very high levels – 88,400 cells per ml – of the potentially contamination in identify the causes of specific toxic blue-green alga Anabaena circinalis were found. This is waterways localised impacts well above the recreational alert level of 20,000 cells per ml. Catchment Understanding how litter gets Cooperative Research management and into waterways and assessing Centre for Catchment Warning signs were immediately erected and the litter control performance of litter traps Hydrology and other devices Department of Natural Resources and Environment,

Catchment modelling Understanding where contaminants Melbourne University Department of Human Services, the EPA and Yarra Ranges are generated in catchments and Government agencies Shire Council were informed. Melbourne Water is developing developing ways of improving the quality of stormwater run-off a plan to reduce the incidence of blue-green algae outbreaks at this site.

Understanding urban impacts on the Yarra A blue-green algal bloom was detected in Berwick Springs During the year, Melbourne Water began a $1 million Lake (Greaves Road Retarding Basin) in January 1999. study to investigate the changes brought about by Sampling at three locations measured the potentially toxic urbanisation on the Yarra River. alga Microcystis at maximum concentrations exceeding 1,000,000 cells/mL. This is, again, well in excess of the The study is examining the river’s plant and animal life, recreational alert level of 20,000 cells/mL. water health and ecological processes in its rural and urban environments. Field work will include water quality Warning signs were immediately erected and the Department analysis and microbiological work. of Natural Resources and Environment, the Department of Human Services, the EPA and the City of Casey were The results of the two-year study, which is being undertaken informed. In addition, regular advice was provided to the in conjunction with the Cooperative Research Centre for developers of the Berwick Springs estate and monitoring of Freshwater Ecology, will help Melbourne Water manage the the lake continued until the bloom cleared in March. river in a way that best ensures its long-term health.

Platypus survey An outbreak of blue-green algae occurred in Lake Carramar Melbourne Water again funded the Australian Platypus at Patterson Lakes in late February 1999. The bloom consisted Conservancy to conduct surveys of platypus. The results of the potentially toxic alga Oscillatoria. This alga grows on of the survey were pleasing, with 12 platypus found in the bottom of waterways and it is likely that rough conditions Olinda Creek in one week, and the presence of platypus dislodged algal mats that caused scums in some parts of the confirmed in several previously unsurveyed areas, including lake. Warning signs were posted and the bloom was closely Steels Creek, Running Creek and waterways in the monitored until it abated in late March. State government Woori Yallock subcatchment. agencies and the City of Kingston were notified. During the year, further evidence emerged of platypus Hedgeley Dene Main Drain, East Malvern A water testing program continued during the year in the recolonising Mullum Mullum Creek as far upstream as Hedgeley Dene Main Drain in East Malvern following reports North Mitcham. This was particularly pleasing because of suspected human faecal contamination at the outfall Melbourne Water has been working on a rehabilitation adjacent to the Dorothy Laver Reserve. The contamination has project on this creek in recent years. now been confirmed. Melbourne Water and Yarra Valley Responding to spills to waterways Water are working together to determine the source of the During the year, Melbourne Water responded to 20 spills contamination and set priorities for future works. to waterways. Among these spills, which were attended by the EPA and Melbourne Water contractors, were those in the Greens Road Drain in Dandenong (dye), Mile Creek in Springvale (oil) and Summerhill Road Drain in Footscray (transmission oil in one instance and petrol in another).

20 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 21

C ASE S TUDY

Protecting Port Phillip Bay – reducing faecal contamination

Melbourne Water is responsible for managing the water quality in Melbourne’s rivers and creeks. More than $12 million is spent annually on improvement projects, research and monitoring the condition of the waterways. One of the issues in managing waterway water quality is to minimise the impact of E.coli through tracking the source of the contamination. An intensive testing program in 15 bayside drains between Mordialloc and Port Melbourne has confirmed that the technology used by Melbourne Water is the most effective in determining the origin of faecal contamination. Using technology developed by the CSIRO, Melbourne Water is now able to identify sterols – natural molecules found in faeces – in contaminated water. The presence of a sterol called coprostanol is a sign of human faecal contamination. Other sterols confirm the presence of animal and bird faeces. The ability to pinpoint the nature of contamination is critical to managing it. If the contamination is of human origin, there may be a leak from old, cracked sewers or an illegal connection of sewerage pipes into the stormwater system. Preventing contamination is particularly important if the water is flowing into Port Phillip Bay near beaches used for swimming. Since completing the initial study, Melbourne Water has examined a further 20 drains running into Port Phillip Bay. All major drains will progressively be tested.

21 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:02 AM Page 22

B E A L EADER IN E NVIRONMENTAL M ANAGEMENT

Future Priorities

The following initiatives are key environmental priorities for Melbourne Water: > Certify Melbourne Water Environmental Management Systems to ISO 14001. > Prepare an Improvement Plan that describes the medium-term advancements Melbourne Water will make in environmental management. > Achieve reductions in effluent discharged to Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait by introducing recycled water schemes. > Construct 200 hectares of wetlands in the south-east growth corridor in a project funded by the Natural Heritage Trust and Melbourne Water. > Finalise the Stormwater Management Agreement with local councils and the EPA and prepare a further six municipal stormwater management plans. > Generate savings and environmental benefits through participation in appropriate greenhouse gas emission credit schemes.

22 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 23

G LOSSARY

Aeromonas Environmental Flow A bacterium that is a normal inhabitant of fresh water. The minimum designated flow in a stream or river needed Algae to satisfy specified ecological requirements. Large group of non-flowering plants, many microscopic, Escherichia coli (E.coli) generally containing chlorophyll. Most algae are aquatic. A common bacterium from the intestines of warm-blooded Algal bloom animals including humans. Used as an indicator of Microalgae occurring in dense numbers in a water body, faecal contamination. as a result of favourable conditions (ie. nutrient enrichment). Faecal Coliforms Bacteria Thermotolerant coliform organisms mainly indicating faecal Single celled microscopic organisms. pollution of a water supply. Biosolids Fluoridation Treated and stabilised sewage sludge; may be in semi-liquid The addition of fluoride to the water supply for the purpose or dried form. of protecting teeth against dental caries. Blue green algae Giardia Refer to cyanobacteria. A parasitic protozoan pathogen that can cause gastrointestinal illness. BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand. A measure of the amount Mixing Zone of oxygen required by bacteria and other microorganisms The area adjacent to an EPA licensed discharge point engaged in breaking down organic matter. where the receiving water quality objectives otherwise applicable under the appropriate State Environment Campylobacter Protection Policy do not apply for certain indicators A pathogenic bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illness. specified in the licence. Chlorination Notifiable Pathogens The addition of chlorine to water for the purpose Designated pathogens whose detection in drinking of purification. water samples must be notified to the Department of Chloramination Human Services. The addition of chlorine and ammonia to water to form Pathogens chloramines for the purpose of purification. Chloramination Disease causing organisms including bacteria, viruses is more persistent than chlorination in long water and protozoa. distribution systems. pH Chlorophyll The negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration; Green pigments of plants, which capture and use the energy an index of acidity or alkalinity. from the sun to drive the photosynthesis process. Protozoa Coliforms Small single celled animals. Bacterial organisms that predominantly inhabit the intestine of humans and animals. They are used as Sewage indicators of faecal contamination. Strictly speaking household waste but loosely applied to any waste sent to a treatment plant. Coprostanol The most common faecal sterol produced in the digestive Sewage sludge tract of humans by microbial hydrogenation of cholesterol. Solid material separated from sewage during processing; remains as a semi-liquid product until further Cryptosporidium dewatering/drying is undertaken. A parasitic protozoan pathogen that can cause gastrointestinal illness and is resistant to common Sterols disinfection processes. A general term for a group of natural products that can be used as biomarkers to determine the sources of Cyanobacteria faecal contamination. Bacteria with a typical bacterial intercellular structure except for extensive membranes containing the enzymes Suspended solids and pigments associated with photosynthesis. They occur Particles suspended in water. as cells, filaments or colonies. They are often referred to Turbidity as blue green algae. A measure of the light scattering property of water due to Detection limit the presence of fine suspended matter. Minimum level of quantification for a particular Ultra-violet irradiation analytical method. Ultra-violet light used for the disinfection of water. Dioxins, furans Toxic compounds, which are byproducts of the manufacturing process of herbicides and disinfectants, but also derived from other industrial processes.

23 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 24

K EEPING THE C OMMUNITY I NFORMED

Melbourne Water produces a range of publications, brochures and fact sheets. Melbourne Water’s Internet site is updated regularly with information. Contact (03) 9235 7100 or go to www.melbwater.com.au.

Multimedia School education materials Melbourne Water has an interactive CD-ROM titled > Drains to the Bay Primary Schools kit The Bay. It is an ecological management game where > Platypus information kit participants must protect the ecology of the Bay against threats and leave it healthier than when they started. > Port Phillip Bay Environmental Study Primary School kit Publications released during 1998/99 > 1997/98 Annual Report > Port Phillip Bay Environmental Study Secondary School kit > 1997/98 Annual Environment and Public Health Report > Rain and Drain Chemistry 1996, > Western Treatment Plant, A Vision for the Future VCE Chemistry kit > Western Treatment Plant Bird Checklist Melbourne Water tours > Catchment to Coast, Making the Connections in the Earth Encounters runs educational tours for primary, Urban Water Cycle secondary and tertiary groups at Eastern Treatment Plant in Carrum and Western Treatment Plant in Werribee. > The Source Issue 1 and 2 For further details and tour charges please phone > Mainstream Vol 11 and 12 (03) 9574 8444. Educational tours of Winneke Water > Year 2000 will be Business as Usual Treatment Plant are provided by Eco-Adventure Tours. For further details and tour charges phone (03) 5962 5115 > Effluent Management Study Newsletter No. 3, 4 and 5 or fax (03) 5962 5150. > Environmental Impact Assessment and Review of Effluent Disposal Options for Eastern Treatment Plant – CSIRO The Findings

24 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 25

D RINKING WATER Q UALITY

The results of water quality tests are reported against recommended levels in either the joint National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Australian Water Resources Council 1987 Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality in Australia or the World Health Organisation 1993 Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. The Australian guidelines also recommend sampling frequencies for microbiological parameters related to the size of the population served by a particular zone.

Water Quality – Parameters and Reporting Levels Parameter Guideline Basis Units Reporting Level

Microbiological – routine Faecal coliforms NHMRC 1987 organisms/100mL 1 Total coliforms NHMRC 1987 organisms/100mL 20 Plate counts MWC Corporate Colony forming units/100mL 1000

Physical – routine Colour NHMRC 1987 True colour units (TCU) 15 Turbidity NHMRC 1987 Nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) 5 pH NHMRC 1987 pH units 6.5 to 8.5

Chemical – routine Aluminium NHMRC 1987 milligrams/litre – mg/L 0.2 Iron NHMRC 1987 mg/L 0.3 Manganese NHMRC 1987 mg/L 0.1 Fluoride Health Act mg/L 0.7 – 1.2

Chemical – routine less frequent Arsenic WHO 1993 milligrams/litre – mg/L 0.01 Cadmium WHO 1993 mg/L 0.002 Chromium WHO 1993 mg/L 0.05 Copper WHO 1993 mg/L 1 Cyanide WHO 1993 mg/L 0.07 Lead WHO 1993 mg/L 0.01 Mercury WHO 1993 mg/L 0.001 Selenium WHO 1993 mg/L 0.01 Zinc WHO 1993 mg/L 3 Chloride WHO 1993 mg/L 250 Hardness WHO 1993 mg/L 200 Nitrate WHO 1993 mg/L 50 Sodium WHO 1993 mg/L 180 Sulphate WHO 1993 mg/L 250 Total alkalinity * mg/L * Calcium * mg/L * Magnesium * mg/L * Silica * mg/L * Total organic carbon * mg/L * Total phosphorus * mg/L * Total solids * mg/L *

* Items marked with an asterisk have not had a reporting level set but are monitored for operational purposes.

25 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 26

WATER Q UALITY – P ARAMETERS AND R EPORTING L EVELS

Water Quality – Parameters and Reporting Levels Parameter Guideline Basis Units Reporting Level

Radiological Radioactivity – alpha WHO 1993 Becquerel/litre 0.1 Radioactivity – beta WHO 1993 Becquerel/litre 1

Pesticides Aldrin WHO 1993 micrograms/litre – µg/L/L 0.03 Dieldrin WHO 1993 µg/L 0.03 Chlordane WHO 1993 µg/L 0.3 DDT WHO 1993 µg/L 2 Heptachlor WHO 1993 µg/L 0.03 Heptachlor epoxide WHO 1993 µg/L 0.03 Lindane WHO 1993 µg/L 2 2,4-D WHO 1993 µg/L 30

Industrial chemicals Carbon tetrachloride WHO 1993 micrograms/litre – µg/L 2 Tetra chloroethane WHO 1993 µg/L 40 Trichloroethane WHO 1993 µg/L 70 1,1 Dichloroethane WHO 1993 µg/L 30 1,2-Dichloroethane WHO 1993 µg/L 50 Benzene WHO 1993 µg/L 10

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) Benzo-a-pyrene WHO 1993 micrograms/litre – µg/L 0.7

Byproducts of disinfection Pentachlorophenol WHO 1993 micrograms/litre – µg/L 9 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol WHO 1993 µg/L 200

Trihalomethanes (THM’s) Bromoform WHO 1993 micrograms/litre – µg/L 100 Dibromochloromethane WHO 1993 µg/L 100 Bromodichloromethane WHO 1993 µg/L 60 Chloroform WHO 1993 µg/L 200

Chloroacetic acids Chloroacetic acid WHO 1993 micrograms/litre – µg/L N/A Dichloroacetic acid WHO 1993 µg/L 50 Trichloroacetic acid WHO 1993 µg/L 100

Notes: • NHMRC 1987 – National Health and Medical Research Council/Australian Water Resources Council 1987: Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality in Australia • WHO – World Health Organisation 1993: Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality • milligrams/litre = mg/L or parts per million • micrograms/litre = µg/L or parts per thousand million (billion)

26 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 27

D RINKING WATER Q UALITY R ESULTS

Microbiological parameters The reporting levels for faecal and total coliforms are based on the NHMRC 1987 guidelines. There is no corresponding guideline for plate counts so the reporting level for that parameter is a corporate target adopted to reflect the conditions of protected catchments and generally unfiltered supplies which exist for Melbourne. Sampling results are based on monitoring at the interface points of supply to the retail water companies. The coliform and plate count numbers should not exceed the reporting level.

Parameter/Retail Reporting Total no. Total no. Total No. of tests exceeding Reporting Level (%) in water supply zones Companies Level of zones of tests Exceedence serving different population size groupings (%) Pop. <10K Pop. 10K to 100K Pop.>100K No.of Tests Exceedence No.of Tests Exceedence No.of Tests Exceedence

Faecal coliforms All 1 65 4548 6 (0.2) 1413 3 (0.2) 3096 4 (0.1) 1248 0 (0) YVW 1 35 2564 5 (0.1) 862 3 (0.4) 1572 3 (0.2) 475 0 (0) CWW 1 11 1421 2 (0.2) – – 927 2 (0.3) 494 0 (0) SEW 1 30 1869 0 (0) 551 0 (0.0) 987 0 (0.0) 553 0 (0)

Total coliforms All 10 65 4548 24 (0.5) 1413 7 (0.5) 3096 20 (0.6) 1248 4 (0.3) YVW 10 35 2564 20 (0.8) 862 5 (0.6) 1572 16 (1.0) 475 3 (0.6) CWW 10 11 1421 2 (0.1) – – 927 3 (0.3) 494 3 (0.6) SEW 10 30 1869 7 (0.4) 551 2 (0.4) 987 5 (0.5) 553 2 (0.4)

Plate count All 1000 65 4548 2 (0.05) 1413 1 (0.1) 3096 2 (0.1) 1248 0 (0.0) YVW 1000 35 2564 2 (0.1) 862 1 (0.1) 1572 2 (0.1) 475 0 (0.0) CWW 1000 11 1421 1 (0.1) – – 927 1 (0.1) 494 0 (0.0) SEW 1000 30 1869 0 (0) 551 0 (0.0) 987 0 (0.0) 553 0 (0.0)

Note: Some monitoring locations cover multiple zones, different population groups or more than one retail company; hence numbers may not be additive.

27 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 28

D RINKING WATER Q UALITY R ESULTS

Routine physical parameters The reporting levels are based on the NHMRC/AWRC 1987 guidelines. Sampling results are based on monitoring at the interface points of supply to the retail water companies. Target levels are at equal to or less than the reporting level or, in the cases of pH, within the range shown. The physical reporting levels are based on aesthetic rather than health considerations. Values that would be a concern for health lie well beyond the reporting levels. The testing for colour is done as “apparent colour” rather than “true colour”; the latter test involves filtered sample and would not be representative of Melbourne’s water supply. “Apparent colour” gives a higher number than would be obtained for “true colour” for the same sample.

Parameter/Retail Reporting Total no. Total no. Total No. of tests exceeding Reporting Level (%) in water supply zones Companies Level of zones of tests Exceedence serving different population size groupings (%) Pop. <10K Pop. 10K to 100K Pop.>100K No.of Tests Exceedence No.of Tests Exceedence No.of Tests Exceedence

Colour All 15 65 2233 28 (1.3) 732 15 (2.0) 1524 19 (1.2) 569 8 (1.4) YVW 15 35 1289 27 (2.1) 358 12 (3.4) 874 16 (1.8) 256 7 (2.7) CWW 15 11 663 8 (1.2) – – 448 5 (1.1) 215 3 (1.4) SEW 15 30 998 7 (0.7) 374 3 (0.8) 483 4 (0.8) 252 2 (0.8)

Turbidity All 5 65 2197 2 (0.1) 654 2 (0.3) 1566 0 (0) 568 0 (0) YVW 5 35 1211 2 (0.2) 280 2 (0.7) 874 0 (0) 256 0 (0) CWW 5 11 706 0 (0.0) – – 491 0 (0) 215 0 (0) SEW 5 30 997 0 (0.0) 374 0 (0.0) 482 0 (0) 252 0 (0)

pH All 6.5-8.5 65 1865 6 (0.3) 512 4 (0.8) 1430 2 (0.1) 488 1 (0.2) YVW 6.5-8.5 35 990 0 (0.0) 216 0 (0.0) 795 0 (0.0) 178 0 (0.0) CWW 6.5-8.5 11 598 0 (0.0) – – 436 0 (0.0) 162 0 (0.0) SEW 6.5-8.5 30 864 6 (0.7) 296 4 (1.4) 428 2 (0.5) 251 1 (0.4)

Note: Some monitoring locations cover multiple zones, different population groups or more than one retail company; hence numbers may not be additive.

28 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 29

D RINKING WATER Q UALITY R ESULTS

Routine inorganic chemical parameters The reporting levels for iron, aluminium and manganese are based on the NHMRC/AWRC 1987 guidelines. That for fluoride is based on the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973. Target levels are equal to or less than the reporting level or, in the cases of fluoride, within the range shown. The reporting levels for iron, aluminium and manganese have been established on aesthetic grounds rather than health considerations. The range for fluoride is that recommended for the control of dental caries. The guideline/reporting level for aluminium is for acid soluble form. Sampling results are based on monitoring at the interface points of supply to the retail water companies. In Melbourne’s water supply, aluminium occurs naturally as a result of clay minerals and leaching from soil and rock and has reduced bioavailability. Fluoride concentrations at the points of introduction into the system comply with the calculated annual and short-term averages required under the Standards for Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies. Values outside the reporting range tend to be low rather than high and zones where fluoride is not added or is incidentally reduced by further treatment influence results.

Parameter/Retail Reporting Total no. Total no. Total No. of tests exceeding Reporting Level (%) in water supply zones Companies Level of zones of tests Exceedence serving different population size groupings (%) Pop. <10K Pop. 10K to 100K Pop.>100K No.of Tests Exceedence No.of Tests Exceedence No.of Tests Exceedence

Iron All 0.3 65 2102 1 (0.0) 654 1 (0.2) 1523 0 (0) 516 0 (0) YVW 0.3 35 1159 0 (0.0) 280 0 (0.0) 874 0 (0) 204 0 (0) CWW 0.3 11 610 0 (0.0) –0 (0.0) 447 0 (0) 163 0 (0) SEW 0.3 30 998 1 (0.1) 374 1 (0.3) 483 0 (0) 252 0 (0)

Aluminium All 0.2 65 327 3 (0.9) 171 3 (1.8) 168 0 (0) 53 0 (0) YVW 0.2 35 241 1(0.4) 120 1 (0.8) 121 0 (0) 24 0 (0) CWW 0.2 11 71 0 (0.0) – – 34 0 (0) 37 0 (0) SEW 0.2 30 115 2 (1.7) 51 2 (3.9) 51 0 (0) 25 0 (0)

Manganese All 0.1 65 1013 0 (0) 254 0 (0) 724 0 (0) 306 0 (0) YVW 0.1 35 630 0 (0) 166 0 (0) 422 0 (0) 141 0 (0) CWW 0.1 11 388 0 (0) – – 249 0 (0) 139 0 (0) SEW 0.1 30 354 0 (0) 88 0 (0) 179 0 (0) 131 0 (0)

Fluoride All 0.7-1.2 65 876 38 (4.3) 175 22 (12.6) 821 18 (2.2) 332 5 (1.5) YVW 0.7-1.2 35 564 13 (2.3) 47 0 (0.0) 564 13 (2.3) 152 3 (2.0) CWW 0.7-1.2 11 303 4 (1.3) – – 151 0 (0.0) 152 4 (2.6) SEW 0.7-1.2 30 464 32 (6.9) 128 22 (17.2) 232 8 (3.4) 154 4 (2.6)

Note: Some monitoring locations cover multiple zones, different population groups or more than one retail company; hence numbers may not be additive.

29 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 30

D RINKING WATER Q UALITY R ESULTS

Chemical and radiological parameters The reporting levels are based on World Health Organisation 1993: Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. Results should not exceed the reporting levels. Items marked with an asterisk have not had a reporting level set but are monitored for operational purposes. Sampling is conducted at Headworks Reservoirs.

Parameter Reporting Level Total number Exceed Reporting of Analyses Level No (%) Arsenic 0.01 40 0 (0) Cadmium 0.002 40 0 (0) Chromium 0.05 40 0 (0) Copper 1 40 0 (0) Cyanide 0.07 40 0 (0) Lead 0.01 40 0 (0) Mercury 0.001 40 0 (0) Selenium 0.01 40 0 (0) Zinc 3 40 0 (0) Chloride 250 40 0 (0) Hardness 200 40 0 (0) Nitrate (as N) 50 40 0 (0) Sodium 180 40 0 (0) Sulphate 250 40 0 (0) Total Alkalinity * 40 Calcium * 40 Magnesium * 40 Silica * 40 Total Organic Carbon * 40 Total Phosphorus * 40 Total Solids * 40 Radioactivity – alpha 0.1 10 0 (0) Radioactivity – beta 1 12 0 (0)

30 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 31

D RINKING WATER Q UALITY R ESULTS

Organic Chemicals The reporting levels are based on World Health Organisation 1993: Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. Results should not exceed the reporting levels. Sampling is conducted at Headworks Reservoirs. Parameter Reporting Level Total number Exceed Reporting of Analyses Level No (%)

Pesticides Aldrin 0.03 20 0 (0) Dieldrin 0.03 20 0 (0) Chlordane 0.3 20 0 (0) DDT 2 20 0 (0) Heptachlor 0.03 20 0 (0) Heptachlor epoxide 0.03 20 0 (0) Lindane 2 20 0 (0) 2,4-D 30 20 0 (0)

Industrial Chemicals Carbon tetrachloride 2 20 0 (0) Tetra chloroethene 40 10 0 (0) Trichloroethene 70 20 0 (0) 1,1-Dichloroethene 30 20 0 (0) 1,2-Dichloroethane 50 20 0 (0) Benzene 10 20 0 (0)

Poly Nuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH’s) Benzo-a-pyrene 0.7 16 0 (0)

Byproducts of Disinfection Pentachlorophenol 9 20 0 (0) 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 200 20 0 (0)

Trihalomethanes (THM’s) Bromoform 100 40 0 (0) Dibromochloromethane 100 40 0 (0) Bromodichloromethane 60 40 0 (0) Chloroform 200 40 1 (2.5)

Chloroacetic Acids Chloroacetic acid N/A 40 Dichloroacetic acid 50 35 0 (0) Trichloroacetic acid 100 35 0 (0)

N/A – not applicable

31 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 32

D RINKING WATER Q UALITY R ESULTS

Routine Pathogen Monitoring Routine monitoring is conducted at major service reservoirs. The NHMRC 1987 Guidelines do not contain recommendations for microbiological quality other than for coliforms. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 1996 place exotic micro-organisms into two general categories; those that should not be detected and those for which guidelines have not been set due to lack of sufficient data. The micro-organism of most recent industry interest is Cryptosporidium. Melbourne Water is participating in major epidemiological studies on this matter.

Parameter Reporting Level Total number Exceed Reporting of Analyses Level No (%)

Should not be detected Klebsiella spp Detected (per 100mL) 23 0 (0) Yersinia spp Detected (per 2 litres) 25 0 (0) Salmonella spp Detected (per 2 litres) 33 0 (0) Campylobacter spp Detected (per 2 litres) 49 0 (0) Vibrio spp Detected (per 2 litres) 19 0 (0) Shigella spp Detected (per 2 litres) 20 0 (0) Enteroviruses by PCR Detected (per 20 litres) – adenovirus 26 0 (0) – rotavirus 26 0 (0) – hepatitis A 26 0 (0) – norwalk virus G1 26 0 (0) – norwalk virus G2 26 0 (0)

No Guideline set Faecal Streptococci Detected (per 100mL) 21 0 (0) Legionella Detected (per 2 litres) 24 0 (0) Cryptosporidium Detected (per 1 litre) 26 0 (0.0) Giardia Detected (per 1 litre) 26 0 (0.0) Clostridium Detected (per 100mL) 43 0 (0) Pseudomonas aeruginosa Detected (per 100mL) 20 0 (0) Aeromonas Detected (per 100mL) 27 4 (14.8)

Notes: Operating practices have been modified and additional disinfection plants installed at selected locations to address the occurrence of aeromonas in the supply system.

32 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 33

E ASTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

The Eastern Treatment Plant at Carrum treated some 40 per cent of Melbourne’s sewage in 1998/99. The plant has a licence from the EPA to discharge treated effluent to Bass Strait at Boags Rocks. Melbourne Water tests effluent from the plant to measure its performance against the licence conditions. The limits in the following tables are the required performance set in the discharge licence. The results show how the plant actually performed. It is Melbourne Water’s aim to achieve 100 per cent compliance with its licence.

Discharge to water The following results represent samples taken from the final effluent sample point and flow measurements at the Outfall Pumping Station at Eastern Treatment Plant from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999.

Table 2.1 Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result BOD5 (mg/L) 20 13 40 26 40 CBOD5 (mg/L) 61122 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 30 12 60 20 44 pH (pH units) 7.5 7.6 6 – 9 7.0 – 7.7 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 30 23 29.6 40 37 Total Combined Nitrogen (mg/L) 34 41 48 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 7.6 15 8.92 12 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.8 0.7 Cadmium (mg/L) <0.0002 0.005 0.0004 0.01 0.0028 Chromium (mg/L) 0.008 0.075 0.0106 0.15 0.013 Copper (mg/L) 0.016 0.05 0.0254 0.1 0.054 Lead (mg/L) 0.003 0.05 0.0006 0.1 0.013 Mercury (mg/L) <0.0001 0.0005 <0.0005 0.001 0.023 (3 exceedences of Max limit) Phenol (µg/L) <5 <10 100 <10 Toluene (µg/L) <5 <10 50 25 Benzene (µg/L) <5 <10 25 <10 PAH’s total (µg/L) 15 <8* Flow (ML/day) 540 371 770 611

* Total PAHs are calculated using the sum of the following PAHs: (acenapthylene, anthracene, 1,2-benzanthracene, 3,4-benzofluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, 1,12-benzoperylene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, dibenzo(a.h)anthracene, fluorene and indeno (1.2.3-cd) pyrene. All results were less than the detection limit and were calculated at half the given value, i.e. <2 = 1).

33 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 34

E ASTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

The following results represent samples taken from the Truemans Road sample point from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999.

Table 2.2 Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result Total Residual Chlorine (mg/L) 0.22 0.33 1.0 0.5 E.coli (org/100mL) 200 18 1000 492 10,000 pH (pH units) 7.3 7.4 * 6.7 – 7.6 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.6 7.5 * 4.5 – 8.5

* to be negotiated with the EPA During June 1998, samples of raw sewage and final effluent were collected and analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD’s) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF’s). The total international toxic equivalent (I-TEQ) result for the sum of the congeners analysed in the final effluent sample, including half the level of detection (LOD) values, was 2.62 picogram per litre. For comparison, the (I-TEQ), including half LOD values analysed in the raw sewage sample was 4.20 picogram per litre.

Discharges to land The following results detail the quality of effluent discharged to land in 1998/99 as sampled at Eastern Treatment Plant.

Table 2.3 Parameter Units Unit Median 90th Percentile Limit Result Limit Result E.coli org/100mL * 14 1000 130 BOD5 mg/L 20 13 40 26 CBOD5 mg/L * 6 * 11 Electrical Conductivity µS/cm * 945 * 1000

* Not Specified in the licence # The E.coli result is based on samples taken at the re-use sampling point and the others are based on samples from the effluent sampling point.

34 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 35

E ASTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

Bacteriological monitoring – beach samples Samples of the receiving waters were taken throughout the year at six locations along the Gunnamatta and St Andrews beaches and analysed for E.coli. Eastern Treatment Plant is required to report to the EPA any time the 42 day geometric mean exceeds 200 org/100mL or if the 80th percentile exceeds 400 org/mL. Sample points 5 and 6 are north west from the outlet along St Andrews Beach and sample points 1, 2, 3 and 4 are south east from the outlet along Gunnamatta Beach. Sample points 1 and 5 are adjacent to the outlet.

Table 2.4 42-day Period ends: Geometric (Log) Mean (org/100mL) * SEPP (Waters of Victoria) Objective: 200 org/100mL No.1 No.2 No.3 No.4 No.5 No.6 11 August 1998 2.2 1.1 1.4 1.1 2.8 1.8 22 September 1998 1.8 1.2 1.2 1.0 2.2 1.3 3 November 1998 3.9 1.4 1.2 1.7 4.8 1.4 15 December 1998 1.4 1.7 1.1 1.1 10.2 1.4 26 January 1999 2.6 1.0 1.0 2.7 1.3 14.0 9 March 1999 12.4 1.8 1.6 1.3 3.4 3.6 20 April 1999 5.5 1.9 1.7 2.0 3.6 1.2 1 June 1999 13.0 7.2 6.0 6.2 27.5 1.6 30 June 1999 18.7 1.3 8.7 22.4 26.6 1.0

* Samples that resulted in 0 E.coli were assumed to have a level of 1.0 to determine the geometric mean. 42-day Period ends: 80th Percentile (org/100mL) SEPP (Waters of Victoria) Objective: 400 org/100mL Beach Beach Beach Beach Beach Beach No.1 No.2 No.3 No.4 No.5 No.6 11 August 1998 4.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 4.0 4.0 22 September 1998 3.6 1.2 1.2 1.0 4.0 1.2 3 November 1998 20.4 2.0 1.6 2.0 7.2 2.0 15 December 1998 1.8 2.0 1.0 1.0 62.8 1.8 26 January 1999 4.8 1.0 28.4 1.6 28 10 9 March 1999 32.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 10.0 14.0 20 April 1999 8.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 12.0 1.0 1 June 1999 9.2 2.0 2.0 2.0 13.2 3.0 30 June 1999 60 1.6 288.4 252.2 157.6 1.0

Note: SEPP is State environment protection policy

35 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 36

E ASTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

Raw sewage monitoring The sewage coming into the plant is monitored to ensure that plant processes are managed to treat sewage in the best possible manner. The following table shows the quality of sewage as it flows into the plant.

Table 2.6 Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum BOD5 (mg/L) 330 450 540 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 340 520 780 pH (pH units) 7 7.1 6.5 – 7.3 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 37 40 45 Total Combined Nitrogen (mg/L) 60 83.6 120 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 13 16.2 27 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 5 6.46 7.6 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.0015 0.003 0.007 Chromium (mg/L) 0.035 0.052 0.091 Copper (mg/L) 0.11 0.152 0.21 Lead (mg/L) 0.026 0.089 0.06 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0002 0.0003 0.0043 Phenol (µg/L) <5 <10 15 Toluene (µg/L) 6 <10 14 Benzene (µg/L) <5 <10 <10 PAH’s total (µg/L) <8* * Total PAHs are calculated using the sum of the following PAHs: (acenapthylene, anthracene, 1,2-benzanthracene, 3,4-benzofluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, 1,12-benzoperylene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, dibenzo(a.h)anthracene, fluorene and indeno (1.2.3-cd) pyrene. All results were less than the detection limit and were calculated at half the given value, i.e. <2 = 1). The total volume of sewage received at Eastern Treatment Plant in 1998/99 was 129,991 megalitres.

36 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 37

WESTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

The Western Treatment Plant located at Werribee treated about 53 per cent of Melbourne’s sewage. The Plant has a licence from the EPA to discharge treated effluent to Port Phillip Bay from four discharge points between the Werribee River and Point Wilson. In March 1997 EPA changed Western Treatment Plant’s discharge licence. Further variations to the licence were made in October 1997. These relate to the use of CBOD instead of BOD and deletion of the 90th percentile concentration for nitrogen. The EPA has indicated that in computing licence compliance for 1997/98 the later variations should be adopted. It is Melbourne Water’s aim to achieve 100 per cent compliance with its licence. The tables show compliance performance of Western Treatment Plant over the 1998/99 year against the parameter limits detailed in the October 1997 amended licence. In the tables the limit is the required performance as stated in the licence and the result is how Western Treatment Plant performed. The licence has plant wide limits for CBOD and suspended solids based on a weighted average calculated using the following formula: ∑ flow from each discharge point multiplied by the units of the indicator)/sum of all flows of treated wastewater from all discharge points. There is a plant wide limit on flow of a combined daily average of 700 megalitres per day over any one year. The licence also has an annual limit of 4300 tonnes total nitrogen load, averaged over three consecutive years. This limit is to be reduced to 3500 tonnes by 2001. For other parameters the performance limits apply individually to the four outlets. Table 3.1 shows the discharges from each of the outlets during 1997/98 and Table 3.2 shows compliance with total nitrogen load and the flow weighted parameters of CBOD, BOD and Suspended Solids. Final effluents at the four discharge points were sampled and analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins and furans (PCDD/F), as toxic equivalents of 2,3,7,8 tetrachloro-dibenzo-p- dioxin. The sampling for PCDD/F is carried out once at each outlet in a specified month each year. Results are shown in Table 3.3.

Table 3.1 Annual and Average Daily Discharges. Outlet Annual Discharge Average Daily Discharge Megalitres Megalitres 15 East 80 878 222 145 West 22 516 62 Lake Borrie 18 533 51 Murtcaim 19 09252 Total 141 019 387

Table 3.2 Flow Weighted Parameters and Total Nitrogen Load Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result CBOD mg/L 25 8 * 14 * * BOD5 mg/L * 17 * 48 * * Suspended Solids mg/L 100 33 130 44 * * Total Annual Nitrogen Load tonnes * * * * 4 300 3 710

* Not Specified in the licence

37 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 38

WESTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

Table 3.3 Outlet PCDD/F as Total Toxic Equivalents of 2,3,7,8 TCDD. Date October 98 January 99 April 99 Site Murtcaim 15E 145W I-TEQ – Excluding LOD Values 2.73 0 3.79 I-TEQ – Including Half LOD Values 7.94 1.33 5.93 I-TEQ = international total toxic equivalent. LOD = limit of detection. All results in picograms per litre. The following tables show the level of performance and required compliance for each outlet.

15 East Outlet The 15E outlet drains the 115E, 55E and the 25W lagoons and land filtration areas.

Table 3.4 Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result CBOD (mg/L) 51531 BOD5 (mg/L) 17 100 150 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 20 31 63 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 25 1.2 29 40 33 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 24 40 71 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 10 15 11 11 Colour (Pt/Co units) 100 600 130 150 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.5 0.2 0.2 1.0 0.2 Silicate (mg/L) 9.9 13 14 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 2380 2540 2840 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.0002* 0.002 0.01 0.002 Chromium (mg/L) 0.05 0.006 0.007 0.15 0.01 Copper (mg/L) 0.05 0.007 0.010 0.1 0.014 Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.003 0.005 0.1 0.005 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0005 0.0001* 0.0001* 0.001 0.0001* Nickel (mg/L) 0.05 0.017 0.021 0.15 0.023 Zinc (mg/L) 0.1 0.011 0.017 0.25 0.019 pH (pH units) – range 6 – 9 7.0 – 8.1 Benzene (mg/L) 0.01 0.09 0.16 Toluene (mg/L) 0.01 0.03 0.1 Phenol (mg/L) 0.1 0.3 0.3 Total PAHs (mg/L) 0.008 0.008 0.1 E.coli (org/100mL) 70 1620 47000 Acute Toxicity 75% 100%** (Microtox EC 50)

* Limit of detection ** Should not be less than 75%

38 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 39

WESTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

145 West Drain Outlet The 145 W outlet is located adjacent to the estuary of the Little River. It drains the 85W, 145 West and Walsh’s lagoons and land filtration areas via ground water.

Table 3.5 Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result CBOD (mg/L) 14 24 38 BOD5 (mg/L) 21 44 80 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 58 110 240 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 25 12 26 40 30 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 24 40 71 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 10 15 11 11 Colour (Pt/Co units) 105 600 150 300 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.5 0.2 0.2 1.0 0.2 Silicate (mg/L) 14 17 19 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 3400 5200 11000 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.0005 0.002 0.01 0.002 Chromium (mg/L) 0.05 0.014 0.027 0.15 0.052 Copper (mg/L) 0.05 0.012 0.020 0.1 0.044 Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.006 0.011 0.1 0.019 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0005 0.0001* 0.0002 0.001 0.0003 Nickel (mg/L) 0.05 0.017 0.020 0.15 0.023 Zinc (mg/L) 0.1 0.022 0.045 0.25 0.064 pH (pH units) – range 6 – 9 7.6 – 8.4 Benzene (mg/L) 0.01 0.09 0.16 Toluene (mg/L) 0.01 0.1 0.18 Phenol (mg/L) 0.1 0.1 0.1 Total PAHs (mg/L) 0.008 0.008 0.1 E.coli (org/100mL) 220 1260 43000 Acute Toxicity 75% 100%** (Microtox EC 50)

* Limit of detection ** Should not be less than 75%

39 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 40

WESTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

Lake Borrie Outlet The Lake Borrie outlet drains Lake Borrie and provides series treatment for some land and grass filtration effluents.

Table 3.6 Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result CBOD (mg/L) 81422 BOD5 (mg/L) 11 25 44 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 43 79 190 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 25 19 24 40 25 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 25 33 40 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 12 15 15 17 Colour (Pt/Co units) 190 600 295 310 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.5 0.2 0.3 1.0 0.3 Silicate (mg/L) 16 22 26 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 2500 2800 3720 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.0007 0.0020 0.01 0.0027 Chromium (mg/L) 0.05 0.016 0.034 0.15 0.081 Copper (mg/L) 0.05 0.016 0.029 0.1 0.068 Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.008 0.016 0.1 0.044 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0005 0.0001* 0.0003 0.001 0.0005 Nickel (mg/L) 0.05 0.022 0.026 0.15 0.041 Zinc (mg/L) 0.1 0.026 0.072 0.25 0.130 pH (pH units) 6 – 9 7.6 – 8.6 Benzene (mg/L) 0.01 0.019 0.10 Toluene (mg/L) 0.01 0.09 0.36 Phenol (mg/L) 0.1 0.1 0.2 Total PAHs (mg/L) 0.008 0.008 0.1 E.coli (org/100mL) 30 500 2180 Acute Toxicity 75% 97%** (Microtox EC 50)

* Limit of detection ** Should not be less than 75%

40 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 41

WESTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

Murtcaim Main Drain Outlet The Murtcaim outlet drains the Western and T section lagoons (land filtration effluent is pumped into Western lagoon) and is the main outlet for grass filtration areas which operate in the cooler months.

Table 3.7 Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result CBOD (mg/L) 11 20 23 BOD5 (mg/L) 12 23 28 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 44 120 240 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 25 20 31 40 37 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 28 37 45 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 10 15 12 14 Colour (Pt/Co units) 225 600 345 650 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.5 0.2 0.2 1.0 0.3 Silicate (mg/L) 16 19 20 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 2600 3500 10900 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.0002 0.002 0.01 0.002 Chromium (mg/L) 0.05 0.008 0.013 0.15 0.014 Copper (mg/L) 0.05 0.008 0.014 0.1 0.025 Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.003 0.006 0.1 0.007 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0005 0.0001* 0.0001* 0.001 0.0001* Nickel (mg/L) 0.05 0.018 0.023 0.15 0.023 Zinc (mg/L) 0.1 0.021 0.050 0.25 0.058 pH (pH units) – range 6 – 9 7.3 – 8.6 Benzene (mg/L) 0.01 0.07 0.1 Toluene (mg/L) 0.01 0.09 0.1 Phenol (mg/L) 0.1 0.1 0.2 Total PAHs (mg/L) 0.008 0.008 0.1 E.coli (org/100mL) 3450 24190 41000 Acute Toxicity 75% 96%** (Microtox EC 50)

* Limit of detection ** Should not be less than 75%

41 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 42

WESTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

Bacteriological Monitoring Every seven days a sample of seawater is collected in 60 centimetre depth of water off-shore from Beach Road and 160 South Road and analysed to determine the concentration of Escherichia coli in the sample. These two points are public access points to Port Phillip Bay within Western Treatment Plant and outside of the designated mixing zones for E.coli. Melbourne Water must report to the EPA if the 42 day geometric mean exceeds 1000 E.coli organisms per 100 millilitres and/or if more than twenty percent of samples (80th Percentile) in any 42 day period exceed 2000 E.coli organisms per 100 millilitres. These results are shown in Table 3.7:

E.coli – 42 Day Geometric Means and 80th Percentiles (All results orgs/100 millilitres)

Table 3.8 42 Day Period Ends Geometric Mean 80th Percentile 160 South Rd Beach Rd 160 South Rd Beach Rd 15 August 1998 4 3 10 2 26 September 1998 16 7 20 10 7 November 1998 68 6 300 18 19 December 1998 31 13 200 100 6 February 1999 15 16 20 40 20 March 1999 367 189 987 1000 1 May 1999 107 73 250 171 12 June 1999 29 19 52 20

42 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 43

WESTERN T REATMENT P LANT L ICENCE C OMPLIANCE 1998/1999

Raw Sewage Monitoring Western Treatment Plant monitors the sewage coming into the plant to ensure that plant processes are managed to treat sewage in the best possible manner. Table 3.9 shows the quality of sewage as it flows into the plant.

Table 3.9 Parameter Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum Flow (ML/day) 507 556 632 BOD5 (mg/L) 470 517 555 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 367 387 408 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 30 33 39 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 59 64 75 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 12 13 15 Colour (Pt/Co units) 150 160 180 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 4.0 4.8 6.1 Silicate (mg/L) 13.5 14 17 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 1970 2160 2380 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.0007 0.002 0.002 Chromium (mg/L) 0.042 0.061 0.087 Copper (mg/L) 0.13 0.16 0.16 Lead (mg/L) 0.018 0.037 0.056 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0004 0.00069 0.0007 Nickel (mg/L) 0.028 0.042 0.1 Zinc (mg/L) 0.20 0.24 0.26 pH (pH units) 7 7.2 7.4 Benzene (mg/L) 0.01 0.097 0.10 Toluene (mg/L) 0.01 0.097 0.29 Phenol (mg/L) 1.4 2.29 3.0 Total PAHs (mg/L) 0.012 0.066 0.1

The total volume of sewage received at Western Treatment Plant in 1998/99 was 187,840 ML.

43 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 44

WATERWAY WATER Q UALITY M ONITORING R ESULTS

Summary of the Level of Compliance with State Environment Protection Policy The following tables refer to monitoring sites located on waterways depicted in the following map. A review of the monitoring program has led to some changes to the sites being monitored. Relevant compliance levels are detailed in the table on page 45. Monitoring data is from the 1998/99 year and is more fully reported in Melbourne Water’s Stream Health Monitoring Reports.

State Environment Protection Policy Segments

44 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 45

WATERWAY WATER Q UALITY M ONITORING R ESULTS

State Environment Protection Policy Objectives for Greater Melbourne’s Waterways Catchment DO Turb SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L org/100mL mg/L mg/L min Median Median Max max Geomean max max

Waters of the Yarra Catchment Rural Eastern Waterways >6.0 <15 <20 <0.60 <0.05 <200 <0.002 <0.005 Rural Western Waterways >6.0 <25 <25 <0.60 <0.05 <200 <0.002 <0.005 Yarra Tributaries – Southern >6.0 <25 <25 <1.00 <0.10 <1000 <0.002 <0.005 Yarra Tributaries – Northern >6.0 <25 <25 <1.00 <0.10 <1000 <0.002 <0.005 Urban Waterways – Yarra mainstream >6.0 <25c/30d <25c/50d <0.90 <0.08 <200 <0.002 <0.005

Waters of the Dandenong Valley Dandenong Creek & Major Tributaries >4.5 <25 <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.05 <0.25 Mordialloc & Kananook Creeks >4.0 <20 <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.02 <0.04 Mordialloc & Kananook Creek Tributaries >4.5 <20* <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.05 <0.25

Waters of Western Port Bay & Catchment Western Port Waterways – Peninsula >6.0 <25* <25* <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.01 <0.005 Western Port Waterways – Eastern >6.5 <25* <25* <0.75 <0.1 <200 <0.01 <0.005

Waters of Victoria Balcombe Creek >5.0 <25* <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.01 <0.02 Maribyrnong River & Tributaries >5.0 <25* <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.025 <0.05 Maribyrnong River - Estuarine >5.0 <25* <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.01 <0.02

Note: (c) Yarra mainstream u/s of Diamond Creek confluence (d) Yarra mainstream d/s of Diamond Creek confluence. * SEPPs do not stipulate an objective, therefore this report has assumed a commonly accepted figure for the catchment. SEPPs for the South Eastern and Western waterways do not stipulate an objective for T-N or T-P. Therefore the ANZECC figures have been used (<0.75 mg/L and <0.1 mg/L respectively).

45 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 46

WATERWAY WATER Q UALITY M ONITORING R ESULTS

All results in the following tables are annual medians, except for E.coli, which is an annual geometric mean. Site Description DO Turb SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn mg/L NTU mg/L mg/L mg/L org/100mL mg/L mg/L

Yarra Catchment – Rural Eastern and Western Waterways 16. Arthurs Creek at Burkes bridge, Hurstbridge 8.1 19 7 0.53 0.04 188 0.001 0.006 10. Cockatoo Creek at Tschampions Rd, Macclesfield 9.2 23 22 1.39 0.05 93 0.001 0.005 17. Diamond Creek at Cottles Bridge-Strathewen Rd, Cottles Bridge 8.2 30 5 1.27 0.06 81 0.002 0.009 7. Little Yarra River at Corduroy Rd, Yarra Junction 9.4 17 15 0.63 0.03 328 0.001 0.004 13. Steels Creek at Yarra Glen-Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen 8.7 31 10 0.60 0.04 146 0.001 0.007 14. Stringybark Creek at Melba Hwy, Yerring 7.0 34 12 1.53 0.06 250 0.001 0.007 11. Wandin Yallock Creek at Killara Rd, Gruyere 9.1 25 15 1.99 0.15 308 0.001 0.007 15. Watsons Creek at Henley Rd, Kangaroo Ground 9.1 4 4 0.51 0.02 92 0.001 0.003 12. Watts River at Healesville-Kinglake Rd, Healesville 8.7 11 7 0.78 0.03 488 0.001 0.007 9. Woori Yallock Creek at Macclesfield Rd, Yellingbo 8.8 27 19 1.21 0.04 109 0.001 0.005 8. Woori Yallock Creek at Warburton Hwy, Woori Yallock 8.9 25 13 1.07 0.04 133 0.001 0.005 19. Merri Creek at Summerhill Rd, Craigieburn 6.2 14 10 1.00 0.07 88 0.001 0.006 18. Plenty River at Kurrak Rd, South Morang 6.7 4 4 0.95 0.08 150 0.001 0.004

Yarra Catchment – Southern Urban Tributaries 23. Andersons Creek at Everard Drv, Warrandyte 9.0 37 15 2.74 0.25 605 0.004 0.021 21. Brushy Creek at Lower Homestead Rd, Wonga Park 5.9 19 10 8.89 0.34 452 0.002 0.054 26. Gardiners Creek at Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn 8.1 39 17 1.81 0.10 2141 0.008 0.115 22. Jumping Creek at Jumping Creek Rd, Wonga Park 9.7 18 7 1.43 0.08 271 0.001 0.012 25. Koonung Creek at Bulleen Rd, Bulleen 8.8 33 16 1.31 0.13 1426 0.006 0.075 24. Mullum Mullum Creek at Deep Creek Reserve, Warrandyte 8.9 41 12 2.84 0.29 480 0.004 0.029 20. Olinda Creek at Macintyre Ln, Coldstream 7.3 28 14 1.62 0.15 395 0.002 0.008

46 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 47

WATERWAY WATER Q UALITY M ONITORING R ESULTS

Site Description DO Turb SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn mg/L NTU mg/L mg/L mg/L org/100mL mg/L mg/L

Yarra Catchment – Northern Urban Tributaries 27. Darebin Creek at Clark Rd, Ivanhoe 8.5 11 4 1.55 0.09 1921 0.003 0.098 30. Diamond Creek at Main Rd, Eltham 8.3 52 16 1.05 0.10 580 0.005 0.027 31. Merri Creek at Roseneath St, Clifton Hill 7.7 16 7 1.32 0.13 649 0.004 0.077 28. Moonee Ponds Creek at Racecourse Rd, Flemington 9.3 24 14 2.31 0.14 1863 0.008 0.074 16. Plenty River at Henty Rd, Lower Plenty 6.7 30 18 1.12 0.10 680 0.005 0.030

Yarra Catchment – Yarra Mainstream & Estuary 5. Yarra River at Chandler Hwy, Kew 7.7 40 29 1.24 0.08 319 0.005 0.023 2. Yarra River at Everard Park, Healesville 9.0 20 15 0.78 0.03 283 0.001 0.005 1. Yarra River at McKenzie-King Drv, Millgrove 10.2 6 5 0.50 0.02 148 0.001 0.004 6. Yarra River at Princes Bridge, Melbourne 6.6 25 19 1.20 0.09 577 0.004 0.028 3. Yarra River at Spadonis Reserve, Coldstream 7.5 28 19 0.89 0.05 441 0.001 0.008 4. Yarra River at Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte 9.8 18 13 0.93 0.06 162 0.001 0.006

Waters of Dandenong Valley 36. Corhanwarrabul Creek at Wellington Rd, Rowville 8.9 28 10 1.22 0.09 678 0.004 0.036 33. Dandenong Creek at Boronia Rd, Wantirna 8.1 32 11 1.66 0.12 1167 0.005 0.135 35. Dandenong Creek at Pillars Crossing, Dandenong Sth 9.0 36 23 1.62 0.11 1027 0.009 0.100 32. Dandenong Creek at Sheffield Rd, Doongalla Forest 10.1 14 9 1.02 0.03 180 0.001 0.005 34. Dandenong Creek at Stud Rd, Dandenong 8.5 35 17 1.57 0.09 594 0.006 0.078 43. Elster Creek at Cochrane St, Elwood 11.2 20 13 2.30 0.16 576 0.006 0.140 40. Eumemmerring Creek at Worsley Rd, Bangholme 8.2 41 23 2.21 0.23 840 0.004 0.044 39. Hallam Main Drain at Sth Gippsland Hwy, Hampton Park 7.6 44 20 1.56 0.09 611 0.004 0.023 37. Mile Creek at Cheltenham Rd, Dandenong 7.8 12 4 1.34 0.09 1042 0.005 0.220 38. Patterson River at National Water Sports Centre, Bangholme 8.5 68 32 1.80 0.18 121 0.008 0.072

47 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 48

WATERWAY WATER Q UALITY M ONITORING R ESULTS

Site Description DO Turb SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn mg/L NTU mg/L mg/L mg/L org/100mL mg/L mg/L

Mordialloc & Kananook Creeks & Mornington Peninsula Waterways 46. Chinamans Creek at Eastborne Rd, Rosebud West 4.0 4 4 1.59 0.05 198 0.001 0.020 45. Dunns Creek at Marine Drv, Safety Beach 6.5 5 4 0.62 0.03 333 0.001 0.009 42. Kananook Creek at Wells St, Frankston 6.2 5 20 0.97 0.10 290 0.003 0.053 47. Main Creek at Boneo Rd, Cape Schanck 9.6 7 6 0.67 0.03 268 0.001 0.004 49. Merricks Creek at Bridge St, Merricks 7.5 19 9 1.05 0.12 602 0.001 0.006 41. Mordialloc Creek at Wells Rd, Mordialloc 7.8 36 23 2.09 0.19 813 0.007 0.086 50. Warrangine Creek at Frankston-Flinders Rd, Hastings 6.6 18 6 1.05 0.06 371 0.001 0.015 48. Watsons Creek at Dandenong-Hastings Rd, Somerville 7.4 22 10 19.10 0.32 542 0.002 0.018

Western Port Waterways 59. Bunyip Main Drain at Iona 9.5 16 11 0.60 0.05 217 0.001 0.005 60. Bunyip River at Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd, Koo Wee Rup 9.6 19 15 0.68 0.05 202 0.001 0.006 57. Bunyip River at Nth Labertouche Rd, Labertouche 9.3 11 10 0.55 0.02 33 0.001 0.003 58. Bunyip River d/s Cannibal Creek, Longwarry Nth 9.5 16 8 0.57 0.03 203 0.001 0.004 52. Cardinia Creek at Ballarto Rd, Cardinia 8.6 14 4 0.52 0.05 153 0.001 0.005 51. Cardinia Creek at Chadwick Rd, Upper Beaconsfield 8.4 10 5 0.47 0.03 131 0.001 0.003 55. Deep Creek at Ballarto Rd, Rythdale 7.2 79 38 1.76 0.36 336 0.004 0.017 63. Lang Lang River at Drouin-Poowong Rd, Athlone 7.4 16 7 1.19 0.10 285 0.001 0.004 62. Lang-Lang River at South Gippsland Hwy, Lang Lang 8.4 19 11 1.49 0.10 163 0.001 0.005 56. Tarago River at Morrisons Rd, Labertouche 8.6 14 8 0.60 0.05 285 0.001 0.004 54. Toomuc Creek at Ballarto Rd, Rythdale 7.9 45 24 0.84 0.06 295 0.002 0.007 53. Toomuc Creek at Princes Hwy, Pakenham 9.4 13 4 0.71 0.03 147 0.001 0.006 61. Yallock Outfall at Sth Gippsland Hwy, Monomeith 7.5 88 66 4.17 0.60 143 0.002 0.008

48 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 49

WATERWAY WATER Q UALITY M ONITORING R ESULTS

Site Description DO Turb SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn mg/L NTU mg/L mg/L mg/L org/100mL mg/L mg/L

Maribyrnong River & Tributaries 64. Maribyrnong River at Brimbank Park Ford, Keilor 6.6 13 10 1.03 0.05 97 0.001 0.008 65. Maribyrnong River at Canning St, Avondale Heights 6.2 22 18 1.17 0.20 268 0.002 0.013 66. Steele Creek at Rose Av, Niddrie 8.9 22 7 0.80 0.09 722 0.005 0.105

Other Western Waterways 68. Kororoit Creek at Millbank Drv, Deer Park 6.4 30 15 0.82 0.08 427 0.004 0.016 69. Kororoit Creek at Racecourse Rd, Altona 7.8 24 26 1.80 0.18 282 0.007 0.023 70. Skeleton Creek at Ayr St, Laverton 5.8 9 6 0.68 0.19 221 0.001 0.015 67. Stony Creek at Bena St, Yarraville 10.6 16 13 2.30 0.35 1339 0.005 0.094

49 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 50

V ERIFICATION S TATEMENT

Melbourne Water (MW) commissioned Snowy Mountains > Each of the data trails selected was easily identifiable and Engineering Corporation (SMEC) to independently verify traceable. The personnel responsible for the data collection the data and content within this Annual Environment and and reporting processes reliably demonstrated the origins Community Obligation Report 1998/1999. This was and aggregation and transcription trails of data. Melbourne Water’s sixth public reporting cycle but the first Aspects and Impacts Review time that the Annual Environment and Community The review process consisted of a desktop review of MW’s Obligation Report was released in conjunction with MW’s current aspects and impacts register for each of the business Annual Report. This coordination of reporting mechanisms units and an assessment of the level of reporting on those reflects Melbourne Water’s commitment to fully integrated issues that MW considers to be significant. management of its operations. > Overall, most of the significant environmental impacts Verification Scope have been covered within the Annual Environment and SMEC was commissioned to: Community Obligation Report 1998/1999. However, some > review the report for any major anomalies; aspects may need more coverage within the report to ensure > verify randomly selected data streams to determine the complete demonstration of MW’s performance. accuracy in the collection, transcription and aggregation > The report lacks a clear definition of what MW considers processes. This included conducting interviews with are its significant environmental impacts or a well-defined appropriate MW staff members and a broad desktop review correlation with the information that is reported. of the data management processes; and General Findings and Recommendations > conduct a desktop review of MW’s environmental aspects The statements and data presented within the Annual and impacts register to ensure that the Environment and Environment and Community Obligation Report Community Obligation Report addresses the significant 1998/1999 are a fair and accurate representation of aspects of MW’s operations. MW’s environmental and social performance. The modified data review process employed in this The following recommendations are made as a result reporting cycle reflects the high level of confidence in of the verification process: MW’s data processes, achieved as a result of the thorough > The continuous involvement of operations personnel data analysis by SMEC in last year’s verification. This has throughout the reporting process would be beneficial to allowed MW to expand the scope of the verification ensure that the transcription and interpretation of program to include a desktop review of MW’s reporting information in the report is accurate. performance against its identified significant aspects and > A clear listing of the significant impacts would benefit impacts. The broader verification scope reflects MW’s the report user by providing assurance that MW is commitment to reviewing its reporting mechanisms as well reporting on the appropriate and significant issues. as completeness in its reporting. > MW may wish to consider including in its next report appropriate targets, including time-lines, to demonstrate Data Verification performance against the environmental and social objectives The data verification process involved assessing the set by MW’s Strategic Directions. accuracy of the data contained within the Environment and Community Obligation Report through a broad review Terence Jeyaretnam of randomly selected data sets, focussing on data collection, EPA Accredited Environmental Auditor transcription and aggregation processes. Manager – Environment, SMEC Victoria The data verification process has identified the following: 10 September 1999 > The verification process found a high level of accuracy in data presented within the report. However, there were a small number of anomalies identified that were attributable to human transcription errors or misinterpretation of data in the report writing process.

50 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 51

E NVIRONMENT P OLICY

Melbourne Water exists to add value for its customers, Melbourne Water will fulfil this policy by: and the community by operating a successful commercial Conducting regular environmental audits and assessments business which supplies safe water, treats sewage and of the corporation’s compliance with statutory and corporate removes stormwater at an acceptable cost and in an requirements and periodically providing appropriate environmentally sensitive manner. information to the Board, shareholders, employees and the public; Accordingly, Melbourne Water will: Work towards achieving a sustainable balance between Undertaking research and development and contributing environmental protection and economic development that is to the transfer of environmentally sound technology and in the interests of future generations. management methods throughout the water industry; Implement environmental policies and procedures within Identifying and implementing waste minimisation the framework of environmental management systems strategies (including the recycling and reuse of products) consistent with the Australian water industry to minimise risk and add value to the business; and environmental management guidelines. Minimising the environmental impacts of Comply with statutory and corporate requirements and, Melbourne Water through: through a continual improvement process, develop strategies > using a risk management approach appropriate to the to meet expected medium to long term regulatory trends. potential for environmental damage; Minimise the environmental impact of the organisation’s > carefully evaluating decisions to avoid, wherever activities and ensure that management, employees and practicable, serious and irreversible environmental damage; contractors: > identifying and critically assessing options for proposed > are equipped to anticipate and manage the environmental projects and strategies; risks and responsibilities in their day-to-day work; and > sound environmental management of the > take all reasonable care to address the environmental construction phase; aspects of business activities. > developing and implementing environment improvement plans for current operations; Involve customers, stakeholders and the community in > developing emergency preparedness plans where potential current activities, new projects and strategies through hazards exist. appropriate consultation and education programs. November 1995 Integrate environmental management with business planning, decision making and economic evaluation processes.

51 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 52

P UBLIC H EALTH P OLICY

Melbourne Water Public Health Policy Improving performance and optimising public health Melbourne Water exists to add value for its customers, outcomes through: and the community by operating a successful commercial > remaining abreast of relevant international trends in business which supplies safe water, treats sewage and public health policy, epidemiology studies, removes stormwater at an acceptable cost and in an > treatment technology and system management and environmentally sensitive manner. operation; and > undertaking research on the relationship between water Melbourne Water will: quality and public health. Provide a low cost, reliable supply of safe, high quality drinking water that consistently meets 1987 National Developing an understanding of the public health impacts Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) health and implications of the business through: requirements as defined in retail water company > regular monitoring of the quality of drinking water, operating licences. treated sewage effluent, stormwater and receiving water; and Transfer and treat sewage, and ensure appropriate disposal > assessing performance against corporate commitments or storage of byproducts in a way that safeguards the health and stakeholder expectations. of the community. Establishing a good working relationship with public Minimise the impacts of stormwater on receiving waters health agencies to ensure Melbourne Water contributes to and thereby contribute to the improvement of waterway and influences the debate on the setting of statutory water quality and safe recreational opportunities for requirements, industry standards and guidelines, and other the community. standards relevant to public health and the water cycle. Ensure that the benefits of achieving high drinking water Ensuring that management and employees are equipped quality, treated effluent quality and waterway water quality, to anticipate and manage public health risks and relative to the costs, can be demonstrated. responsibilities in their day to day work through Melbourne Water will fulfil this policy by: appropriate contingency planning and incident Restricting public access to catchments and thereby response capability. minimising the potential for contamination and the Providing relevant and timely information to customers, necessity for treatment of water supplies. stakeholders and the community about public health issues. Ensuring reliable water and wastewater treatment using April 1996 processes tailored to Melbourne’s unique conditions. Managing the re-use of treated sewage effluent and sludge to minimise public health risks and to conform with statutory requirements while optimising business opportunities. Providing safe and efficient stormwater services including: > flood warning and mitigation; > emergency response to pollutant spills to waterways; and > monitoring for blue-green algae in water bodies used for recreation.

52 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 53

C OMMUNITY R ELATIONS P OLICY

Purpose Effective community relations is essential to the efficient This policy outlines Melbourne Water’s commitment to management of any construction, major maintenance or maintaining positive relations with the community. research project and is a necessary component of all

Objectives budgeting, planning and implementation processes. To maintain the positive public perception of Melbourne Melbourne Water Corporate and Community Relations is to Water and gain community acceptance for major capital, be involved in major projects to ensure that appropriate maintenance and research projects to allow effective community relations or consultation programs are in place. project management. A Community Relations Guide has been developed to Policy Statement provide employees with detailed information on effective Melbourne Water is committed to promoting good community relations. community relations by: December 1998 1. Providing the public with factual and readily accessible information on issues of community interest. 2. Managing incidents to minimise impact on the community. 3. Requiring that Melbourne Water employees and contractors are considerate and courteous in dealing with members of the public. 4. Actively seeking community input early in the decision making process to ensure that major decisions are based on an informed view of community opinion by: > Establishing local consultative committees where this will assist in the efficient management of major operational assets (eg Eastern and Western Treatment Plants) or where a high level of community interest exists (eg waterways and wetlands). > Involving local residents, government, industry groups, and community and environment groups in major research or construction projects where appropriate. > Assessing community expectations of Melbourne Water’s performance through regular research with the general public, local communities, government, consultative committees and community representatives.

53 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 54 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 55

F EEDBACK F ORM

1998/99 Environment and Community Obligation Report Please fill in the following form and fax it to (03) 9235 7177 or mail it to: Corporate and Community Relations, Melbourne Water, PO Box 4342, Melbourne Victoria 3001

Your details (optional) Name

Address

Organisation (if any)

Position

Report content The report had: Too much detail The right amount of detail Not enough detail

The report covered Melbourne Water’s performance on it environmental and community obligations in a way that was: Easy to follow Hard to follow

The design of the report made it: Easy to read Hard to read

Suggestions Is there anything missing from the report? Yes No

If you answered yes, please explain what additional information you would like to see in next year’s report:

Melbourne Water could improve its reporting on its environmental and community obligations by:

Thank you for your time in completing this form.

55 MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 56 MW EnvComObAR1999forPDF5/11/9910:03AMPage57

CRUISEDESIGNPARTNERSHIP MW EnvComObAR1999 for PDF 5/11/99 10:03 AM Page 58

607 Bourke Street Melbourne PO Box 4342 Melbourne Victoria 3001 Telephone 03 9235 7100 Facsimile 03 9235 7200 ISSN 1324-7905 www.melbwater.com.au