WATER QUALITY
Water Quality Annual Report 2016/17
1800 454 500 I [email protected] www.gvwater.vic.gov.au Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Figures ...... 4 List of Tables ...... 5 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 7 1.1 Water Supply Systems ...... 10 1.2 Source Water Protection ...... 12 1.3 Improvements to Water Supply and Treatment ...... 14 1.4 Changes to Water Sampling Localities ...... 15 2 WATER TREATMENT AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ...... 16 2.1 Water Treatment ...... 16 2.1.1 Raw Water and Pre-Treatment ...... 16 2.1.2 Chemical Addition, Coagulation and Flocculation ...... 16 2.1.3 Clarification, Sedimentation and Flotation ...... 17 2.1.4 Filtration ...... 18 2.1.5 Disinfection ...... 18 2.1.6 Fluoridation ...... 18 2.1.7 Clear Water Storage (Storage of Treated Water) ...... 18 2.1.8 Distribution (Supply to the Customers’ Tap) ...... 19 2.2 Changes to Water Treatment Processes and Chemicals ...... 22 2.3 Issues to Note in 2016/2017 ...... 23 3 QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER ...... 24 3.1 Escherichia Coli ...... 24 3.1.1 Results ...... 25 3.1.2 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance ...... 27 3.2 Chlorine Based Disinfection By-Product Chemicals ...... 27 3.2.1 Results ...... 28 3.2.2 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance ...... 29 3.2.3 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance ...... 32 3.2.4 Actions and Preventative Measures Taken in relation to Non-Compliance ...... 34 3.2.5 Actions in Relation to Non-Compliance ...... 36 3.3 Turbidity ...... 36 3.3.1 Results ...... 37 3.3.2 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance ...... 38 3.4 Ozone Based Disinfection By-Product Chemicals ...... 38 3.5 Aluminium ...... 38
Page 2 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.5.1 Results ...... 39 3.5.2 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance ...... 42 3.6 Fluoride ...... 42 3.6.1 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance ...... 44 3.7 Other Chemicals that may pose a Risk to Public Health ...... 44 3.7.1 Results ...... 46 3.7.2 Actions in relation to non-compliance ...... 73 3.8 Aesthetics ...... 73 3.8.1 Results ...... 75 3.8.2 Actions in relation to Aesthetic Issues ...... 83 3.8.3 Missed Samples from Water Quality Monitoring Program ...... 84 3.9 Analysis of Results ...... 85 3.9.1 Water Quality Standards ...... 85 3.9.1.1 Analysis of results for E.coli and comparison with previous years ...... 85
3.9.1.2 Analysis of results for total trihalomethanes and comparison with previous years 85
3.9.1.3 Analysis of results for turbidity and comparison with previous years ...... 85
3.9.1.4 Analysis of results for other health related parameters...... 85
4 EMERGENCY AND INCIDENT MANAGEMENT ...... 87 4.1 Known or Suspected Contamination ...... 87 4.1.1 Section 22s ...... 87 4.1.1.1 Avenel Chlorine Overdose ...... 87
4.1.1.2 Barmah E.coli Detection (False Positive) ...... 88
4.1.1.3 Shepparton Blackwater (Taste & Odour) Event ...... 89
4.1.1.4 Katamatite E.coli Detection (False Positive) ...... 90
4.1.1.5 Tatura E.coli Detections (False Positive) ...... 91
4.2 Blue Green Algae Response ...... 92 5 COMPLAINTS RELATING TO WATER QUALITY ...... 96 5.1 Analysis of Water Quality Complaints...... 97 5.2 Customer Engagement around Water Quality ...... 98 6 FINDINGS OF THE MOST RECENT RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN AUDIT ...... 99 7 UNDERTAKINGS UNDER SECTION 30 OF THE ACT ...... 100 8 REGULATED WATER ...... 101 9 FURTHER INFORMATION ...... 103
Page 3 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
List of Figures
Figure 1: Goulburn Valley Water Drinking Water Quality Policy ...... 9 Figure 2: GVWs Operational Areas and Sampling Localities ...... 11 Figure 3: DAFF Jar Tests Being Undertaken ...... 17 Figure 4: New Nagambie WTP DAFF cells ...... 22 Figure 5: New Nagambie WTP Plant Building...... 22
Page 4 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
List of Tables
Table 1: GVW Raw Water Sources and Localities Serviced ...... 13 Table 2: Changes in Drinking Water Treatment Processes ...... 14 Table 3: GVW Treatment Processes ...... 20 Table 4: GVW Chemicals used in treatment ...... 21 Table 5: Escherichia coli (Distribution) ...... 25 Table 6: Escherichia coli (Clear Water Storage) ...... 26 Table 7: Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicals – Trihalomethanes ...... 28 Table 8: Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicals – Chloroacetic Acid ...... 30 Table 9: Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicals – Dichloroacetic Acid ...... 31 Table 10: Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicals – Trichloroacetic Acid ...... 33 Table 11: Health Related Parameters – Chloral hydrate in Drinking Water ...... 35 Table 12: Turbidity ...... 37 Table 13: Acid Soluble Aluminium (Distribution) ...... 39 Table 14: Acid Soluble Aluminium (Distribution) ...... 40 Table 15: Acid Soluble Aluminium (Clear Water Storage) ...... 41 Table 16: Fluoride in Drinking Water ...... 43 Table 17: Health related parameters – Arsenic in Drinking Water ...... 46 Table 18: Health related parameters – Barium in Source Water (Pre 1st April 2017) ...... 47 Table 19: Health related parameters – Barium in Drinking Water (Post 1st April 2017) ...... 48 Table 20: Health Related Parameters – Cadmium in Drinking Water...... 49 Table 21: Health related parameters – Free Chlorine in Drinking Water (Distribution) ...... 50 Table 22: Health related parameters – Free Chlorine in Drinking Water (Clear Water Storage) .. 51 Table 23: Health related parameters – Chromium in Drinking Water ...... 52 Table 24: Health related parameters – Copper in Drinking Water ...... 53 Table 25: Health related parameters – Lead in Drinking Water ...... 54 Table 26: Health Related Parameters – Manganese in Drinking Water ...... 55 Table 27: Health related parameters – Mercury in Drinking Water ...... 57 Table 28: Health Related Parameters - Molybdenum in Source Water (Pre 1st April 2017) ...... 58 Table 29: Health Related Parameters - Molybdenum in Drinking Water (Post 1st April 2017) ..... 59 Table 30: Health Related Parameters – Nickel in Drinking Water ...... 60 Table 31: Health Related Parameters – Selenium in Drinking Water ...... 61 Table 32: Health Related Parameters – Cyanide in Drinking Water ...... 62 Table 33: Health related parameters – Oxidised nitrogen (nitrate and nitrite) in Drinking Water 63 Table 34: Health related parameters – Organic compounds in Source Water (Pre 1st April 2017) ...... 64
Page 5 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 35: Health related parameters – Organic compounds in Drinking Water (Pre 1st April 2017) ...... 65 Table 36: Health related parameters – Organics (Post 1st April 2017) ...... 66 Table 37: Health related parameters – Pesticides in Source Water (Pre 1st April 2017) ...... 68 Table 38: Health related parameters – Pesticides in Source Water (continued) ...... 69 Table 39: Health related parameters – Pesticides in Drinking Water ...... 70 Table 40: Health related parameters – Pesticides (Post 1st April 2017) Part 1 ...... 71 Table 41: Health related parameters – Pesticides (Post 1st April 2017) Part 2 ...... 72 Table 42: Health related parameters – Radiological in Source Water ...... 73 Table 43: Aesthetic Related Parameters – pH in Drinking Water (Distribution) ...... 75 Table 44: Aesthetic Related Parameters – pH in Drinking Water (Clear Water Storage) ...... 76 Table 45: Aesthetic related parameters – True colour in Drinking Water ...... 77 Table 46: Aesthetic related parameters – Electrical conductivity in Drinking Water ...... 78 Table 47: Aesthetic related parameters – Hardness in Drinking Water ...... 79 Table 48: Aesthetic related parameters – Alkalinity in Drinking Water ...... 80 Table 49: Aesthetic related parameters – Iron in Drinking Water ...... 81 Table 50: Summary of Compliance with Water Quality Standards - Schedule 2 (SDWR 2015) .. 85 Table 51: Complaints Relating to Water Quality ...... 96 Table 52: Types of Complaints by Water Sampling Locality ...... 97 Table 53: Summary - audit findings and actions from 2016 Risk Management Plan Audit Report ...... 99 Table 54: Regulated Water Supplies ...... 102
Page 6 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
1 INTRODUCTION
This Water Quality Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with Section 26 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 (the Act), Regulation 16 of the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 (the Regulations) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Guidance – Water Quality Annual Report document. It provides an overview of issues relating to the quality of drinking water and regulated water supplied by Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) during the reporting period.
The report is intended to provide relevant information in the following areas;
Characterisation of supply systems; Sources of drinking water; Water treatment, including disinfection and fluoridation; Quality of drinking water; Emergency and incident management; Complaints relating to water quality; Audit outcomes; Undertakings, exemptions or variations under the Act; and Regulated (non-potable) water supply systems.
In order to provide quality assurance of the drinking water quality delivered to our customers, Goulburn Valley Water has developed a Safe Water Management System (SWMS) to encompass GVWs risk management plan (RMP). The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the legislative requirement to provide safe drinking water and sets out the requirement for water agencies to develop, implement and review their RMP. The SWMS has been established using the principles of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 - Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality (The Framework). The Corporation’s SWMS utilises all twelve elements covered within ‘the Framework’ which encompasses all aspects of risk management to apply and strengthen a preventative approach to drinking water quality safety. The structure of the framework is broken up into four sections covering a commitment to drinking water quality, system analysis and management, any supporting requirements and review and continuous improvement. The overarching section demonstrates the Corporation’s commitment to drinking water quality which is under pinned through a Corporate Drinking Water Quality Policy (Figure 1), and regular liaison with key drinking water quality stakeholders including the (DHHS) and Goulburn Murray Water (G-MW). The SWMS is audited and reviewed regularly to ensure robustness of the system as well as providing an avenue to identify opportunities for continuous improvement of the system.
The Corporation takes into consideration precautionary principles in all aspects of drinking water safety utilising the “multiple barrier approach” which takes into consideration multiple water treatment intervention processes. The correct operation of these treatment processes to ensure that raw water is treated to the required standard is a highly skilled task, the responsibility for which falls to the water treatment operator on a day-to-day basis. It is also the responsibility of these operators to adequately address any identified risks as well as detect and address any potential issues that may compromise drinking water quality and safety.
Page 7 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Operator training and competency is a key component of GVW’s Drinking Water Management Strategy. The Corporation’s water treatment operators are trained through water industry training programmes, which include competency based assessment. The Corporation’s aim is to ensure water treatment operators meet the requirements of the Water Treatment Operator Competency Framework - Best Practice Guidelines. Operator skills are further enhanced with in-house training, refresher training courses and attendance at industry workshops and conferences. A new initiative this year has been to provide detailed gap training for water treatment operators, facilitated by an industry expert, to ensure consistency and a higher understanding. To date these have included filter inspections, use and analysis of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), data and coagulation and jar testing.
Assessment, optimisation and scheduled maintenance of water treatment facilities are conducted on a regular basis by experienced water treatment specialists. Preventative maintenance and monitoring of critical process equipment assists to ensure the optimum performance of our treatment processes and facilities.
The Corporation’s approach to drinking water safety extends beyond the water treatment plant boundary and into the Distribution system ensuring unsafe water is not supplied to customers. The Corporation operates a Customer Service Centre 24 hours per day, seven days per week, which is responsible for the real-time monitoring of over 31 water treatment plants across our region; including the continuous monitoring of water quality. This role of continuous water quality monitoring and immediate response is achieved by utilising the real time monitoring of water quality instrumentation and SCADA Water Treatment Operators and the Customer Service Centre regularly monitor plant performance via SCADA and have the ability to remotely shut down treatment plant processes if required. The Customer Service Centre monitors the system outside normal business hours and regularly provides status and alarm information to on-call water treatment operators located in each operational region. In addition to this GVW has recently implemented SCADA phone, an alarm dialler package that sends critical alarms directly to the on-call Operator as well as enabling escalation if required.
SCADA is one of several essential components in our assurance system for safe drinking water. SCADA continuously monitors each water treatment facility in real-time and has the ability to immediately shut the water treatment plant down in the event that water quality exceeds strict internal parameters to prevent unsafe water being produced. Our water treatment facility operators are fully trained in the maintenance, calibration and interpretation of data generated by these instruments. The Corporation has also introduced a plant optimisation program that systematically assesses opportunities to improve overall plant performance by using a root cause analysis framework. This is also aimed at reducing the number of superfluous alarms and improving a number of asset improvements plant by plant.
Water from the Merrijig WTP was awarded Victoria’s best tasting water. The Water Industry Operators Association conducts a state evaluation program that enables entry into the National and subsequently world competitions. This is the second time in three years GVW has successfully won the State award. (Details on Front Cover)
Full details of Goulburn Valley Water’s annual revenue and asset base are available in the Corporation’s Annual Report which is available on the GVW website.
Page 8 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Figure 1: Goulburn Valley Water Drinking Water Quality Policy
Page 9 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
1.1 Water Supply Systems
In Australia, water for the purpose of drinking is principally obtained from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Treatment of water from these sources is critically important to remove colour, fine particulates, chemicals, organic compounds and most importantly, harmful micro-organisms (pathogens) that may be present from animals or human activities. Water may also be obtained from groundwater sources. Groundwater is usually free of fine particulates and organic matter, but needs to be monitored and treated for pathogens, heavy metals and salinity.
GVW’s town water supplies are principally diverted from the Goulburn and Murray Rivers, associated tributaries and irrigation channel systems managed by Goulburn-Murray Water. Other town water supplies divert water from unregulated streams such as the Seven Creeks near Euroa, Nine Mile Creek near Longwood; Mollison Creek near Pyalong; Yea River at Yea; Delatite River near Mansfield and Upper Delatite (Sawmill Settlement / Merrijig), Brewery Creek near Woods Point, The Steavenson River at Marysville and Sunday Creek near Kilmore. Groundwater from the Katunga Deep Lead Bore is utilised in Katunga.
Within the GVW region raw water is processed through a water treatment plant to ensure aesthetically pleasing safe water suitable for domestic purposes. Water treatment often involves various treatment processes, including pre-treatment, chemical dosing, coagulation, flocculation, clarification, filtration, disinfection and in some towns fluoridation. There are also a number of declared regulated water (non-drinking water) supplies which is not fit for human consumption. The definition of regulated water supplies being; any water that is not drinking water that may be supplied to the public in circumstances in which it may be mistaken as being drinking water.
Details of GVW’s area of operation and sources of raw water are contained in Figure 2 and Error! Reference source not found.
Page 10 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Figure 2: GVWs Operational Areas and Sampling Localities
Page 11 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
1.2 Source Water Protection
Raw (source) water represents the beginning of the catchment to tap cycle and is located upstream to any treatment. Majority of the raw water monitoring occurs at the inlet into the treatment plant. There are also a number of raw water monitoring sites at reservoirs and off-stream raw water storages. A comprehensive raw water monitoring program is implemented and reviewed on a regular basis. This monitoring program is described in Section 3.7 of the report.
GVW has undertaken comprehensive source water risk assessments and sanitary surveys to identify all microbial, physical and chemical risks that could pose a risk to human health and have applied suitable control measures to address these risks. The effectiveness of these control measures are validated with respect to their effectiveness. The Corporation works actively with the Catchment Management Authority and Goulburn- Murray Water to implement the Goulburn Broken Regional Water Quality Strategy to improve overall catchment health and to be more aware of issues and activities undertaken in the catchments. Information on emerging issues such as Blue-Green Algae or Black Water events is readily shared between GVW, CMA, G-MW and other water corporations to assist with the implementation of appropriate control measures.
Blackwater from Pranjip Creek Entering the Goulburn River, January 2016 (source: Goulburn-Broken Catchment Authority). The Pranjip Creek enters the Goulburn River about 14km upstream of the Shepparton Raw water offtake.
Page 12 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 1: GVW Raw Water Sources and Localities Serviced
Water Treatment Population Water Sampling Source Water Off-Stream Water Storage Plant Serviced Localities (WTP) (to nearest 10) Alexandra Goulburn River Alexandra Raw Water Storage Alexandra WTP 2590 Avenel Goulburn River Heywoods Hill Raw Water Storage Seymour WTP 990 Barmah Murray River Barmah WTP 260 Bonnie Doon Lake Eildon Bonnie Doon Raw Water Storage Bonnie Doon WTP 510 Broadford Goulburn River & Sunday Creek Reservoir Broadford No. 3 Reservoir Broadford WTP 4600 Buxton Steavenson River Aub Cuzens Reservoir Marysville WTP 500 Cobram Murray River Cobram WTP 5500 Colbinabbin Irrigation Channel (Central Goulburn Area) Colbinabbin Raw Water Storage Colbinabbin WTP 180 Dookie Irrigation Channel (Shepparton Area) Dookie Raw Water Storage Dookie WTP 320 Eildon Goulburn River Alexandra Raw Water Storage Alexandra WTP 1090 Euroa Seven Creeks & Mountain Hut Creek Abbinga Reservoir Euroa WTP 3320 Girgarre Irrigation Channel (Central Goulburn Area) Girgarre Raw Water Storage Girgarre WTP 260 Katamatite Irrigation Channel (Murray Valley Area) Katamatite Raw Water Storage Katamatite WTP 280 Katandra West Irrigation Channel (Shepparton Area) Katandra West Raw Water Storage Katandra West WTP 260 Katunga Groundwater Bores Katunga WTP 230 Kilmore Sunday Creek Reservoir & Hazels Creek Hollowback Reservoir Kilmore WTP 7580 Kyabram Irrigation Channel (Central Goulburn Area) Kyabram Raw Water Storage Kyabram WTP 6690 Longwood Nine Mile Creek Nine Mile Creek Reservoir Longwood WTP 250 Mansfield Delatite River Ritchie Reservoir Mansfield WTP 4160 Marysville Steavenson River Aub Cuzens Reservoir Marysville WTP 680 Merrigum Irrigation Channel (Central Goulburn Area) Kyabram Raw Water Storage Kyabram WTP 490 Mooroopna Goulburn River Shepparton WTP 8860 Murchison Goulburn River Murchison WTP 830 Nagambie Lake Nagambie Nagambie WTP 2050 Nathalia Broken Creek Nathalia WTP 1690 Numurkah Irrigation Channel (Murray Valley Area) Numurkah Raw Water Reservoir Numurkah WTP 4320 Picola Irrigation Channel (Murray Valley Area) Picola Raw Water Storage Picola WTP 120 Pyalong Mollison Creek Pyalong Raw Water Storage Pyalong WTP 390 Rushworth Waranga Basin outlet channel Rushworth WTP 1150 Seymour Low Level 1 Goulburn River Heywoods Hill Raw Water Storage Seymour WTP 5530 Seymour High Level Goulburn River Heywoods Hill Raw Water Storage Seymour WTP 1680 Shepparton 2 Goulburn River Shepparton WTP 42360 Stanhope Irrigation Channel (Central Goulburn Area) Stanhope Raw Water Storage Stanhope WTP 550 Strathmerton Murray River Cobram WTP 610 Tallarook Goulburn River Heywoods Hill Raw Water Storage Seymour WTP 280 Tallygaroopna Goulburn River Shepparton WTP 320 Tatura Irrigation Channel (Central Goulburn Area) Tatura Raw Water Storage Tatura WTP 4610 Thornton Goulburn River Alexandra Raw Water Storage Alexandra WTP 190 Tongala Irrigation Channel (Central Goulburn Area) Tongala Raw Water Storage Tongala WTP 1390 Toolamba Goulburn River Shepparton WTP 350 Trawool Goulburn River Heywoods Hill Raw Water Storage Seymour WTP 10 Upper Delatite Delatite River Upper Delatite WTP 640 Violet Town Seven Creeks & Mountain Hut Creek Abbinga Reservoir Euroa WTP 810 Wandong - Sunday Creek Reservoir & Hazels Creek Hollowback Reservoir Kilmore WTP 1120 Heathcote Junction Waterford Park Goulburn River & Sunday Creek Reservoir Broadford No. 3 Reservoir Broadford WTP 300 Wunghnu Irrigation Channel (Murray Valley Area) Numurkah Raw Water Reservoir Numurkah WTP 270 Yarroweyah Murray River Cobram WTP 140 Yea Yea River Yea WTP 1670
Page 13 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
1.3 Improvements to Water Supply and Treatment
GVW undertook a significant capital works program investing $25.2M in 2016/17 across the Corporation. Some of the investments made in the financial year for drinking water quality and supply included;
Completion and commissioning of new water treatment facilities at Numurkah and Nagambie
Construction of new clear water storages at Euroa and Rushworth
Refurbished filters at Mansfield and Shepparton
Construction of a fluoride plant at Cobram
Granular Activated Carbon filter installation at Katandra West as a response to algae issue and provide ongoing treatment barrier to enable adequate response to any future algae issues
Restoration of the historic Tatura water tower
Soda Ash installation at Seymour WTP and decommissioning of lime dosing
Table 2: Changes in Drinking Water Treatment Processes
Water Treatment Added sampling Treatment Process Comment Plant Substance/s locality
Conversion of membrane filtration to dissolved air flotation filtration (DAFF) from January 2017 to improve organics removal, resulting in improved chlorine demand, at the treatment plant Dissolved Air Alum and distribution system. Organic Nagambie Nagambie Flotation Filtration (NOM) stability and removal has WTP Soda ash improved since the DAFF has Chlorination Chlorine gas been in operation, reducing the likelihood of disinfection by- product formation. Changed coagulant from aluminium chlorohydrate to aluminium sulphate for better floc formation.
Coagulation/ flocculation Alum Changed pH correction chemical from lime to soda ash from July Seymour Clarification Seymour Soda ash 2016 to improve operational WTP Filtration Fluorosilisic efficiency and water quality (less Chlorination acid solid particulates formation) Fluoridation
Page 14 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
1.4 Changes to Water Sampling Localities
No changes to water sampling localities were made in the 2016/17 reporting period.
Page 15 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
2 WATER TREATMENT AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
2.1 Water Treatment
Raw water from rivers, streams, reservoirs and aquifers need to be processed through a water treatment plant to produce water that is aesthetically pleasing and safe to drink. Water treatment may involve several different treatment processes, including pre- treatment, chemical addition, coagulation, flocculation, clarification, sedimentation, floatation, filtration, disinfection and fluoridation.
GVW has been working to implement the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) Health Based Targets to quantify the microbial risk in the source water and the extent that the treatment process removes or reduces pathogenic microorganisms from the water; part of this includes the development of an automated reporting system to show real time reporting of WTP performance.
2.1.1 Raw Water and Pre-Treatment
Raw water may be pre-treated prior to the main processes within the water treatment plant. Examples of pre-treatment are raw water detention in reservoirs, algae control, and treatment to remove metals such as manganese and iron.
Raw water is stored in reservoirs primarily to provide for periods when other water sources are in short supply. However, this can also greatly improve the quality of the water prior to entering the treatment plant. In addition to allowing much sediment to settle out, many pathogens will naturally die-off in water storages over a period of time. Conversely, raw water detention also provides an opportunity for recontamination by birds, wave action, or algal blooms however, overall, the detention of raw water is considered to be beneficial.
Raw water reservoirs are sometimes prone to blooms of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) or other types of algae, particularly during the warmer months of the year. Algal blooms can cause unpleasant tastes and odours in the water. Some species of blue-green algae can also produce toxins that may be harmful if consumed. Activated carbon is commonly used as part of the treatment process to remove algal toxins and unpleasant tastes and odours from the water. Algal blooms may also be addressed within the reservoir by addition of floating covers, or by aeration and de-stratification of the water body.
High levels of manganese and/or iron in the water can cause an unpleasant taste or staining of plumbing fixtures. To reduce the levels of manganese or iron, the raw water reservoir may be aerated or the raw water may be treated with an oxidising agent such as potassium permanganate prior to entering the usual treatment process for the affected supply.
2.1.2 Chemical Addition, Coagulation and Flocculation
Surface waters from rivers and irrigation systems contain varying amounts of silt, clay and organic matter. These suspended particles usually cannot be removed by natural processes, as they are very small and have electrostatic charges that keep them stable in the water. In order to remove the suspended particles, it is necessary to neutralise the electrostatic charges by a process known as ‘coagulation’, and aggregate the small particles into larger particles by a process known as ‘flocculation’.
Page 16 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Coagulation invariably requires addition of a chemical with a strong positive charge, such as aluminium sulphate (alum), to neutralise the negative electrostatic charges that allow particles to remain suspended in the raw water. Coagulation involves turbulent mixing of the coagulant chemical with the raw water. The appropriate Coagulant dose is determined by undertaking a jar test (Figure 3).
Flocculation involves gentle mixing of the coagulated water to allow the small particles to come together to form larger particles. Flocculation may occur naturally to some extent following coagulation, or may be encouraged by the addition of a chemical, called a flocculent aid.
Figure 3: DAFF Jar Tests Being Undertaken 2.1.3 Clarification, Sedimentation and Flotation Following coagulation and flocculation, clarification is commonly employed to remove most of the particles from the water. This may be achieved either by allowing the solids to settle to the bottom (known as ‘sedimentation’), or by floating the solids to the top of the water (known as ‘flotation’).
Sedimentation can most simply be performed by allowing the solids to settle to the bottom of a dam over a period of time. A more sophisticated and efficient method of sedimentation uses an ‘upflow clarifier’. Within a conical or cylindrical vessel, a slow upflow of water allows the solid particles to sink and be periodically removed from the bottom of the vessel, whilst clean water overflows at the top.
Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) involves the introduction of some water that has been pressurised and saturated with dissolved air. As the pressure is reduced, the dissolved
Page 17 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17 air is released from the water as micro bubbles which attach to the particles and float them to the surface, leaving clean water underneath. DAF is also an effective means of removing colour.
2.1.4 Filtration
Some small particles can remain in the water after the clarification process. To ensure adequate clarity is achieved, the water can be polished by passing it through filters. Filtration is also effective in removing harmful pathogenic micro-organisms, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
In most cases, granular media such as sand and anthracite coal are used for filtration. At regular intervals, each filter is ‘backwashed’ to remove the trapped particles. Alternatively, membrane filters are used to produce a high quality filtered water.
2.1.5 Disinfection
One of the most important aspects of water treatment involves the removal of harmful pathogenic micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria and protozoa) that have the potential to cause disease. Effective and continuous disinfection is necessary for killing pathogens to ensure that the water is safe to drink. Prior to leaving each of the Corporation’s water treatment plants, drinking water is disinfected.
The most commonly-used type of disinfection is chlorination, which involves the use of either chlorine gas or sodium hypochlorite. Generally, only a very low level of a chlorine- based chemical (less than 1 part per million of residual chlorine) is required to provide effective disinfection.
Alternative forms of disinfection that may be employed in certain circumstances include chlorine dioxide, chloramination, ozonation and UV irradiation. These alternative disinfection methods are currently not used at any of GVWs treatment facilities.
2.1.6 Fluoridation
Fluoridation is the practice of adding a fluoride-based chemical to the drinking water with the purpose of preventing tooth decay for the whole community receiving fluoridated water. Fluoridation occurs in accordance with the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973 and plants are designed and operated in compliance with the Code of practice for fluoridation of water supplies.
Goulburn Valley Water fluoridate water at the Shepparton, Tongala, Kyabram, Kilmore and Seymour water treatment plants, supplying the communities of Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tallygaroopna, Toolamba, Tongala, Kyabram, Kilmore, Wandong-Heathcote Junction, Merrigum, Seymour, Trawool, Avenel and Tallarook with fluoridated water. The fluoride plant construction and commissioning is near completion at the Cobram water treatment plant. This new fluoride plant will supply Cobram, Yarroweyah and Strathmerton residents with fluoridated water. .
2.1.7 Clear Water Storage (Storage of Treated Water)
Treated water is usually held in storage tanks and reservoirs to ensure adequate supply and pressure is available during peak-usage periods. Elevated water tanks and booster pumps are used to maintain adequate water pressure throughout the distribution
Page 18 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17 systems. Re-chlorination plants are often utilised to maintain chlorine residual at sites in remote locations from the treatment plant.
2.1.8 Distribution (Supply to the Customers’ Tap)
GVW manages approximately 1,800 kilometres of water pipelines. To provide adequate storage capacity to meet peak water demand periods, GVW maintains over 120 treated water storage tanks, basins and reservoirs.
Re-chlorination facilities are incorporated into major treated water storages to ensure a disinfection residual is maintained in the distribution network. Having a disinfection residual in the distribution network is desirable as it assists in the inhibition of microbial growth and assists with optimising preventative maintenance programs. GVW undertakes regular preventative maintenance on all water networks consisting of flushing, air scouring and swabbing. Treated water storage tanks are also inspected as part of a documented maintenance schedule and cleaned on an as needs basis.
Details of GVW’s treatment processes and treatment chemicals are contained in Table 3 and Error! Reference source not found.4.
Page 19 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 3: GVW Treatment Processes12
Pre-treatment Clarification Filtration
Water Treatment Plant
(WTP) Filtration
Fluoridation
Carbon
Filtration
Powder Activated Powder Activated
Upflow Upflow Clarification
Slow Sand
Oxidation / Aeration Oxidation Dam Sedimentation
Membrane Filtration
Raw Water DetentionRaw Water Coagulation & Flocculation
Rapid Granular Media Media GranularRapid
Dissolved Air Dissolved Flotation Air
Adsorption Clarification Adsorption
Chlorination / Hypochlorination
Granular Activated Carbon Granular Activated Alexandra WTP ● ● ● ● ● Barmah WTP ● ● ● ● Bonnie Doon WTP ● ● ● ● ● Broadford WTP ● ● ● ●
Cobram WTP ● ● ● ● Colbinabbin WTP ● ● ● Dookie WTP ● ● ● Euroa WTP ● ● ● ● ● Girgarre WTP ● ● ● Katamatite WTP ● ● ● Katandra West WTP ● ● ● ● Katunga WTP ●
Kilmore WTP ● ● ● ● ● ●
Kyabram WTP ● ● ● ● ● ● Longwood WTP ● ● ● ● ● ● Mansfield WTP ● ● ● ● ●
Marysville WTP ● ● ● ●
Murchison WTP ● ● ● ●
Nagambie WTP ● ● Nathalia WTP ● ● ● ● Numurkah WTP ● ● ● ● ● Picola WTP ● ● ● ● ● Pyalong WTP ● ● ● ● Rushworth WTP ● ● ● ● Seymour WTP ● ● ● ● ● ●
Shepparton WTP ● ● ● ● ● ●
Stanhope WTP ● ● ● Tatura WTP ● ● ● ● ●
Tongala WTP ● ● ● ● ● ● Upper Delatite WTP ● ● Yea WTP ● ● ● ●
1 ● Process applied consistently during 2016/ 2017 2 Process applied periodically during 2016/ 2017
Page 20 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 4: GVW Chemicals used in treatment34
Coagulants Polymers Alkalis Acids Disinfectants Fluoridants Cleaning Contingency
Water Sampling Localities
Aluminium Sulphate (Alum) Aluminium Chlorohydrate (ACH) Coagulant Polymer Flocculant / Filter Aid Polymer Calcium Hydroxide (Hydrated Lime) Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) Carbon Dioxide Hydrochloric Acid Chlorine Gas Sodium Hypochlorite (Hypo) Chlorine Dioxide (Sodium Chlorite + Hydrochloric Fluorosilicic Acid Sodium Fluoride Citric Acid Phosphoric Acid Potassium Permanganate Activated Carbon Alexandra ● ● ● ● * Avenel ● ● ● ● ● Barmah ● ● ● ● * * Bonnie Doon * ● * ● ● ● * Broadford ● ● ● ● * Buxton ● ● * ● * Cobram ● ● ● ● * ● Colbinabbin * * * ● ● * * Dookie * * * ● ● * * Eildon ● ● ● ● * Euroa ● ● ● ● * Girgarre * ● ● * Katamatite ● ● * ● * * Katandra West * ● * ● * * Katunga ● Kilmore ● ● ● ● ● Kyabram ● ● ● ● ● Longwood ● ● ● ● * * Mansfield ● ● * ● Marysville ● ● * ● * Merrigum ● ● ● ● ● Mooroopna ● ● ● ● ● ● Murchison ● ● ● Nagambie * ● ● ● * * * Nathalia ● ● ● ● * * Numurkah ● ● ● * * ● Picola ● ● ● * Pyalong * ● ● Rushworth ● * ● ● Seymour Low Level ● ● ● ● ● Seymour High Level ● ● ● ● ● Shepparton ● ● ● ● ● ● Stanhope * * * * ● * * Strathmerton ● ● ● ● * ● Tallarook ● ● ● ● ● Tallygaroopna ● ● ● ● ● ● Tatura ● * ● ● ● Thornton ● ● ● ● * Tongala * ● ● ● ● ● Toolamba ● ● ● ● ● ● Trawool ● ● ● ● ● Upper Delatite * ● ● * Violet Town ● ● ● ● * Wandong - Heathcote Junction ● ● ● ● ● Waterford Park ● ● ● ● * Wunghnu ● ● ● * * ● Yarroweyah ● ● ● ● * ● Yea ● ● ● ●
● Chemical used regularly * Chemical used periodically
3 ● Process applied consistently during 2016/ 2017 4 Process applied periodically during 2016/ 2017
Page 21 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
2.2 Changes to Water Treatment Processes and Chemicals
During the 2016/17 period the new Nagambie WTP was fully commissioned and the dissolved air flotation filtration (DAFF) plant is now fully operational. The membrane filtration treatment system in Nagambie has been decommissioned.
Figure 4: New Nagambie WTP DAFF cells
Figure 5: New Nagambie WTP Plant Building
Page 22 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
2.3 Issues to Note in 2016/2017
A significant hypoxic black water event in the Goulburn River impacted on the business late 2016, early 2017. Blackwater is a natural phenomenon that can occur in the river after heavy rainfall when organic material such as leaves from floodplains is washed into waterways. It is characterised by high levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) which exerts an oxygen demand in its metabolism. This leads to oxygen depletion in the waterway and as a result, fish-kills. The water also becomes blackish in appearance and has a strong unpleasant odour. As a result of the high organic carbon content, water treatment capability can also be compromised, where larger amount of chemicals have to be added for organics removal. Shepparton water supply and localities were impacted with taste and odour complaints received. Further details can be found in Section 4.1.1.3
GVW continues to experience intermittent and chronic blue green algae issues in the source waters and off-stream storages at a number of treatment plant. Toxins have not been detected in samples collected and analysed in response to algal blooms in GVW’s source waters. GVW monitors for algae in source waters and takes appropriate action when it is required. Further details can be found in Section 4.1.2
A precautionary boiled water notices were issued at Tatura following low count E.coli detection in the clear water storage and distribution site. All process systems were found to be operating as expected and no obvious cause for the detections was found. Further details can be found in Section 4.1.1.5.
Page 23 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3 QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER
GVW collected and analysed water samples for the parameters and frequencies documented in GVW’s water sampling program for all water sampling localities in 2016/17. Refer to the ‘Microbiological Indicators’ section of this report.
Section 18 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 requires water agencies to notify the DHHS (Department Health and Human Services) when it realises their supplied water is unlikely to meet compliance standards.
The sample results have been assessed against the water quality standards specified in schedule 2 of the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015. Sample results for parameters not listed in Schedule 2 of the Regulations are compared with the relevant health and or aesthetic guideline values described in the Australian Drinking Water Guideline 2011 (ADWG). A summary of compliance with the water quality standards for 2016/17, both in terms of population served and the number of water sampling localities, is presented in Section 3.9. A comparison of compliance with water quality standards for this reporting period against the 2015/16 and 2014/15 reporting periods is included. Where samples were not collected as per the water sampling program, a brief description of the cause and any actions taken to reduce this reoccurrence are in Section 3.9.3.
The water sample results presented in this report are those issued by a NATA accredited, independent laboratory for GVW’s documented water sampling program. The tables do not include sample results from investigations, confirmatory testing or re-sampling following incidents or non-compliances.
3.1 Escherichia Coli
Escherichia coli (E.coli) is the name of a specific bacterial species belonging to the coliforms group. E.coli is found naturally only in the digestive tracts of warm-blooded animals. The presence of E.coli in drinking water is an indicator of faecal contamination.
Page 24 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.1.1 Results Table 5: Escherichia coli (Distribution)
Water Quality Parameter : Escherichia coli (E.coli) Water Quality Standard: No E.coli per 100 mL of drinking water, with the exception of any false positive sample
Number of Number of Number of Non- Maximum Detections and Sampling Number of Samples where Water Sampling Locality Complying Result Investigations Frequency Samples standard was not Samples (orgs/100mL) Conducted met (S18) (s.22)
Drinking Water Alexandra Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Avenel Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Barmah Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Bonnie Doon Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Broadford Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Buxton Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Cobram Weekly 64 0 <1 0 0 Colbinabbin Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Dookie Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Eildon Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Euroa Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Girgarre Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Katamatite Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Katandra West Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Katunga Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Kilmore Weekly 64 0 <1 0 0 Kyabram Weekly 64 0 <1 0 0 Longwood Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Mansfield Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Marysville Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Merrigum Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Mooroopna Weekly 64 0 <1 0 0 Murchison Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Nagambie Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Nathalia Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Numurkah Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Picola Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Pyalong Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Rushworth Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Seymour High Level Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Seymour Low Level Weekly 64 0 <1 0 0 Shepparton Weekly 167 0 <1 0 0 Stanhope Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Strathmerton Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Tallarook Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Tallygaroopna Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Tatura Weekly 52 1 3 1 0 Thornton Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Tongala Weekly 53 0 <1 0 0 Toolamba Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Trawool Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Upper Delatite Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Violet Town Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Wandong - Heathcote Jn Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Waterford Park Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Wunghnu Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Yarraweyah Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Yea Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0
Due to population sizes, Cobram, Kilmore , Kyabram, Mooroopna, and Seymour (Low Level) have an extra sample taken per month. Shepparton has three samples taken per week due to its population size.
Page 25 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 6: Escherichia coli (Clear Water Storage)
Water Quality Parameter : Escherichia coli (E.coli) (CWS Outlet) Water Quality Standard: No E.coli per 100 mL of drinking water, with the exception of any false positive sample
Number of Number of Number of Non- Maximum Detections and Sampling Number of Samples where Water Sampling Locality Complying Result Investigations Frequency Samples standard was not Samples (orgs/100mL) Conducted met (S18) (s.22)
Drinking Water Alexandra Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Avenel Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Barmah Weekly 52 1 1 1 0 Bonnie Doon Weekly 104 0 <1 0 0 Broadford Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Buxton Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Cobram Weekly 156 0 <1 0 0 Colbinabbin Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Dookie Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Eildon Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Euroa Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Girgarre Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Katamatite Weekly 52 1 1 1 0 Katandra West Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Katunga Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Kilmore Weekly 143 0 <1 0 0 Kyabram Weekly 104 0 <1 0 0 Longwood Weekly 104 0 <1 0 0 Mansfield Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Marysville Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Merrigum Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Mooroopna Weekly 65 0 <1 0 0 Murchison Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Nagambie Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Nathalia Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Numurkah Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Picola Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Pyalong Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Rushworth Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Seymour High Level Weekly 104 0 <1 0 0 Seymour Low Level Weekly 104 0 <1 0 0 Shepparton Weekly 104 0 <1 0 0 Stanhope Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Strathmerton Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Tallarook Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Tallygaroopna Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Tatura Weekly 52 1 5 1 0 Thornton Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Tongala Weekly 104 0 <1 0 0 Toolamba Weekly 48 0 <1 0 0 Trawool Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Upper Delatite Weekly 53 0 <1 0 0 Violet Town Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Wandong - Heathcote Jn Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Waterford Park Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Wunghnu Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Yarraweyah Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 Yea Weekly 52 0 <1 0 0 52 samples are tested per storage(s) in each locality Four samples were not collected or analysed at Toolamba CWS due to scheduling error
Page 26 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.1.2 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance
E.coli was detected in routine samples taken from Tatura Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Clear Water Storage (CWS) and in the distribution system in May 2017, Barmah tower outlet in November 2016 and in the outlet sample of the Katamatite CWS in March 2017. All detections of E.coli in drinking water are required to be reported to the Department of Health & Human Services under section 22 of the Act. The E.coli water quality standard requires that all detections are thoroughly investigated; refer to section 4.1.1.5 for further information and action taken in response to the E.coli detections. During the 2016/17 all localities were compliant with the E.coli water quality standard.
All detections were reported to DHHS under section 22 of the act and each of the investigations undertaken in response to these detections concluded that the results were false positives.
No of investigations No of investigations No. of confirmed false Locality where standard not conducted (s.22) positives met (s.18) Barmah 1 1 0 Tatura 1 2 0 Katamatite 1 1 0
3.2 Chlorine Based Disinfection By-Product Chemicals
Chlorine based disinfection by-products (DBP) may be produced from reactions between chlorine and organic matter in water. Excessive levels of disinfection by-products are not desirable in drinking water as long-term exposure may pose a health risk. Although there are potentially numerous DBP formed, those of most significance are haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes. Trihalomethanes are a group of compounds that include chloroform, dibromochloromethane, bromodichloromethane and bromoform. Haloacetic acids are a group of compounds that includes chloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid.
Page 27 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.2.1 Results Table 7: Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicals – Trihalomethanes
Water Quality Parameter : Trihalomethanes, total Water Quality Standard: For drinking water supplies treated with chlorine-based chemicals, no results to exceed 0.25 mg/L.
Number of Non- Sampling Maximum Result Compliant with Water Sampling Locality Number of Samples complying Frequency (mg/L) Regulations Samples Drinking Water Alexandra Monthly 12 0 0.03 Yes
Avenel Monthly 12 0 0.05 Yes Barmah Monthly 12 0 0.07 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 12 0 0.07 Yes Broadford Monthly 12 0 0.13 Yes Buxton Monthly 12 0 0.10 Yes Cobram Monthly 12 0 0.04 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 12 0 0.08 Yes Dookie Monthly 12 0 0.09 Yes Eildon Monthly 12 0 0.05 Yes Euroa Monthly 12 0 0.10 Yes Girgarre Monthly 12 0 0.12 Yes Katamatite Monthly 12 0 0.07 Yes Katandra West Monthly 12 0 0.04 Yes Katunga Monthly 12 0 0.00 Yes Kilmore Monthly 12 0 0.09 Yes Kyabram Monthly 12 0 0.06 Yes Longwood Monthly 12 0 0.13 Yes Mansfield Monthly 12 0 0.03 Yes Marysville Monthly 12 0 0.07 Yes Merrigum Monthly 12 0 0.09 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 12 0 0.07 Yes Murchison Monthly 12 0 0.09 Yes Nagambie Monthly 25 1 0.31 No Nathalia Monthly 12 0 0.10 Yes Numurkah Monthly 12 0 0.06 Yes Picola Monthly 12 0 0.08 Yes Pyalong Monthly 41 0 0.20 Yes Rushworth Monthly 12 0 0.06 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 12 0 0.06 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 12 0 0.05 Yes Shepparton Monthly 12 0 0.09 Yes Stanhope Monthly 12 0 0.18 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 12 0 0.05 Yes Tallarook Monthly 12 0 0.06 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 12 0 0.10 Yes Tatura Monthly 12 0 0.10 Yes Thornton Monthly 12 0 0.08 Yes Tongala Monthly 12 0 0.06 Yes Toolamba Monthly 12 0 0.10 Yes Trawool Monthly 12 0 0.04 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 12 0 0.04 Yes Violet Town Monthly 12 0 0.10 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 12 0 0.08 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 12 0 0.10 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 12 0 0.05 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 12 0 0.04 Yes Yea Monthly 12 0 0.06 Yes Note: Additional samples taken at Pyalong due to historical elevated levels in trihalomethanes. Additional samples taken at Nagambie due to trichloroacetic acid (TCA) exceedance. TCA is also a disinfection by product.
Page 28 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.2.2 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance
Organic matter levels increased at the Nagambie source water supply following persistent rainfall events. This resulted in disinfection by product (DBP) formation with an exceedance of trichloroacetic acid water quality standard detected in July 2016. Sampling frequency was increased in response to a non-compliance with trichloroacetic acid water quality standard in July 2016 to monitor the risk of disinfection by-product formation. A sample collected on 26 September was non-compliant with the total trihalomethanes (THM) water quality standard at Nagambie. Water samples collected the following week in Nagambie demonstrated that the Total THM levels had significantly dropped and met the Total THM water quality standard which was attributable to an improvement in raw water quality. Refer to 3.2.4 of this report for further information and action taken in response to the THM exceedance.
All other drinking water sampling localities complied with the total trihalomethane water quality standard.
A verbal notification of the THM exceedance was made to DHHS to advise of the exceedance and that sample was part of investigatory samples in response to the initial TCA notification in July 2016 and continued poor quality source water. This potential formation of DBP’s has been significantly improved through the construction of the new DAFF plant which is better equipped at removing organics than the treatment processes being used at the time of the exceedance. Subsequent results have indicated as expected a vast improvement.
Page 29 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 8: Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicals – Chloroacetic Acid
Water Quality Parameter : Chloroacetic Acid Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.15 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Result Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Avenel Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Barmah Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Broadford Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Buxton Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Cobram Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Dookie Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Eildon Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Euroa Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Girgarre Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Katamatite Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Katandra West Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Katunga Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Kilmore Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Kyabram Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Longwood Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Mansfield Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Marysville Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Merrigum Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Murchison Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Nagambie Monthly 22 0 0.014 Yes Nathalia Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Numurkah Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Picola Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Pyalong Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Rushworth Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Shepparton Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Stanhope Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Tallarook Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Tatura Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Thornton Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Tongala Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Toolamba Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Trawool Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Violet Town Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Yea Monthly 9 0 <0.01 Yes Note: Monitoring frequency for chloroacetic acid reduced from monthly to annually from the 1st April 2017 based on low historical values. Increased sampling frequency at Nagambie to monitor risk of DBP formation due to poor raw water quality.
Page 30 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 9: Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicals – Dichloroacetic Acid
Water Quality Parameter : Dichloroacetic Acid Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.1 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Result Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Monthly 9 0 0.011 Yes Avenel Monthly 9 0 0.009 Yes Barmah Monthly 9 0 0.045 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 9 0 0.025 Yes Broadford Monthly 9 0 0.022 Yes Buxton Monthly 12 0 0.036 Yes Cobram Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 12 1 0.140 No Dookie Monthly 9 0 0.031 Yes Eildon Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Euroa Monthly 9 0 0.026 Yes Girgarre Monthly 9 0 0.044 Yes Katamatite Monthly 9 0 0.026 Yes Katandra West Monthly 9 0 0.016 Yes Katunga Monthly 9 0 <0.005 Yes Kilmore Monthly 9 0 0.015 Yes Kyabram Monthly 9 0 0.010 Yes Longwood Monthly 9 0 0.039 Yes Mansfield Monthly 9 0 0.012 Yes Marysville Monthly 9 0 0.028 Yes Merrigum Monthly 9 0 0.009 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 9 0 0.038 Yes Murchison Monthly 9 0 0.020 Yes Nagambie Monthly 25 0 0.084 Yes Nathalia Monthly 9 0 0.038 Yes Numurkah Monthly 9 0 0.016 Yes Picola Monthly 9 0 0.043 Yes Pyalong Monthly 9 0 0.035 Yes Rushworth Monthly 9 0 0.013 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 9 0 0.012 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 9 0 0.016 Yes Shepparton Monthly 9 0 0.023 Yes Stanhope Monthly 9 0 0.040 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 9 0 <0.005 Yes Tallarook Monthly 9 0 0.032 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 9 0 <0.005 Yes Tatura Monthly 9 0 0.008 Yes Thornton Monthly 9 0 0.018 Yes Tongala Monthly 9 0 0.007 Yes Toolamba Monthly 9 0 0.014 Yes Trawool Monthly 9 0 0.008 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 9 0 0.026 Yes Violet Town Monthly 9 0 0.022 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 9 0 0.021 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 9 0 <0.005 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 9 0 0.013 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Yea Monthly 9 0 0.012 Yes Note: Monitoring frequency for dichloroacetic acid reduced from monthly to annually from the 1st April 2017 based on low historical values with the exception of Buxton, Colbinabbin and Nagambie which are considered high risk sites for DBP formation
Page 31 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.2.3 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance The increased organic carbon levels in Colbinabbin raw water coincided with the increase in disinfection by products (DBPs) formation in the treated drinking water. The presence of blue green algae (BGA) in the source water channel, required the chlorine dose rate to be increased. The combination of the two has compounded the formation of disinfection by products (chloral hydrate and dichloroacetic acid). The exceedance of these parameters against the water quality standards for these DBPs was reported under Section 18 of the Act to the DHHS. It is noted that the total trihalomethane was not observed to have followed the same trend and was still below the water quality standard.
Corrective actions taken in response to the elevated DBPs included investigative and continuous monitoring as well as assessment of BGA control effectiveness in the source water confirmed via NATA accredited cell counts. Treatment of the source water with alum followed by raw water storage sedimentation greatly reduced the organics and BGA and reduced the DPB formation during the treatment plant and storage processes. All other water sampling localities complied (or met) the dichloroacetic acid water quality standard. Further details of the BGA event can be found in Section 4.1.2
Page 32 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 10: Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicals – Trichloroacetic Acid
Water Quality Parameter : Trichloroacetic Acid Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.1 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Monthly 9 0 0.012 Yes Avenel Monthly 9 0 0.027 Yes Barmah Monthly 9 0 0.067 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Broadford Monthly 9 0 0.033 Yes Buxton Monthly 12 0 0.073 Yes Cobram Monthly 9 0 0.021 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 12 0 0.059 Yes Dookie Monthly 9 0 0.050 Yes Eildon Monthly 9 0 0.025 Yes Euroa Monthly 9 0 0.039 Yes Girgarre Monthly 9 0 0.064 Yes Katamatite Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Katandra West Monthly 9 0 0.018 Yes Katunga Monthly 9 0 <0.005 Yes Kilmore Monthly 9 0 0.025 Yes Kyabram Monthly 9 0 0.012 Yes Longwood Monthly 9 0 0.061 Yes Mansfield Monthly 9 0 0.019 Yes Marysville Monthly 9 0 0.039 Yes Merrigum Monthly 9 0 0.012 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 9 0 0.052 Yes Murchison Monthly 9 0 0.032 Yes Nagambie Monthly 25 6 0.180 No Nathalia Monthly 9 0 0.070 Yes Numurkah Monthly 9 0 0.019 Yes Picola Monthly 9 0 0.045 Yes Pyalong Monthly 9 0 0.046 Yes Rushworth Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 9 0 0.021 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Shepparton Monthly 9 0 0.032 Yes Stanhope Monthly 9 0 0.056 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 9 0 0.034 Yes Tallarook Monthly 9 0 0.030 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 9 0 0.037 Yes Tatura Monthly 9 0 0.015 Yes Thornton Monthly 9 0 0.023 Yes Tongala Monthly 9 0 0.010 Yes Toolamba Monthly 9 0 0.049 Yes Trawool Monthly 9 0 0.009 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 9 0 0.026 Yes Violet Town Monthly 9 0 0.044 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 9 0 0.024 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 9 0 0.021 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 9 0 0.023 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 9 0 0.025 Yes Yea Monthly 9 0 0.025 Yes Note: Monitoring frequency for trichloroacetic acid reduced from monthly to annually from the 1st April 2017 based on low historical values with the exception of Buxton, Colbinabbin and Nagambie which are considered high risk sites for DBP formation
Page 33 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.2.4 Actions and Preventative Measures Taken in relation to Non-Compliance Organic matter levels increased at the Nagambie source water supply following persistent rainfall events. This resulted in disinfection by product (DBP) formation with an exceedance of trichloroacetic acid water quality standard detected in July 2016. Sampling frequency was increased in response to a non-compliance with trichloroacetic acid water quality standard in July 2016 to monitor the risk of disinfection by-product formation. Two further section 18’s were submitted under the Act relating to the same issue in August 2016 and October 2016. Corrective actions taken in response included optimisation of coagulation dose rate, increased frequency of sampling/monitoring, and maintaining clear water storage at a lower level to reduce water age. It is expected that the newly constructed DAFF plant will provide better organics removal performance in comparison to the decommissioned membrane filtration system.
All other sampling localities complied with the water quality standards in the period.
Page 34 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 11: Health Related Parameters – Chloral hydrate in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Trichloroacetaldehyde (Chloral Hydrate)
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.1 mg/L
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Result Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Avenel Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Barmah Monthly 9 0 0.030 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Broadford Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Buxton Monthly 12 0 <0.02 Yes Cobram Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 12 1 0.140 No Dookie Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Eildon Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Euroa Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Girgarre Monthly 9 0 0.038 Yes Katamatite Monthly 9 0 0.029 Yes Katandra West Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Katunga Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Kilmore Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Kyabram Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Longwood Monthly 9 0 0.049 Yes Mansfield Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Marysville Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Merrigum Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Murchison Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Nagambie Monthly 25 0 0.049 Yes Nathalia Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Numurkah Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Picola Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Pyalong Monthly 9 0 0.020 Yes Rushworth Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Shepparton Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Stanhope Monthly 9 0 0.025 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Tallarook Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Tatura Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Thornton Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Tongala Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Toolamba Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Trawool Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Violet Town Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes Yea Monthly 9 0 <0.02 Yes
Note: Monitoring frequency for chloral hydrate reduced from monthly to annually from the 1st April 2017 based on low historical values with the exception of Buxton, Colbinabbin and Nagambie which are considered high risk sites
Page 35 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.2.5 Actions in Relation to Non-Compliance A sample collected at Colbinabbin did not meet the Chloral hydrate water quality standard. This occurred at the same time when dichloroacetic acid water quality standard was also not met. Poor raw water quality directly related to the Blue-Green Algae bloom was the root cause. To address the algal risks, chlorine dose rates were increased as the chlorine demand increased to ensure sufficient free chlorine residuals were maintained within the system. To reduce the algal issue in the raw water aluminium sulphate was dosed as a pre-treatment to manage the risk. Notification to the Department was made under section 18 of the Act.
3.3 Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of the ‘cloudiness’ of water, caused by the presence of fine suspended particles. The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 specifies the water quality standard that the 95th percentile of results for samples in any 12 month period must be less than or equal to 5⋅0 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).
Page 36 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.3.1 Results Table 12: Turbidity
Water Quality Parameter : Turbidity Water Quality Standard: For drinking water supplies, the 95th percentile of results for samples in any 12 month period must be ≤ 5.0NTU
Sampling Number of Maximum Result Compliant with Water Water Sampling Locality 95th percentile Frequency Samples (NTU) Quality Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Weekly 52 0.7 0.5 Yes
Avenel Weekly 52 0.6 0.4 Yes Barmah Weekly 52 0.9 0.8 Yes Bonnie Doon Weekly 52 0.8 0.6 Yes Broadford Weekly 52 3.3 1.1 Yes Buxton Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Cobram Weekly 52 0.5 0.4 Yes Colbinabbin Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Dookie Weekly 52 0.6 0.3 Yes Eildon Weekly 52 0.4 0.4 Yes Euroa Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Girgarre Weekly 52 0.5 0.3 Yes Katamatite Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Katandra West Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Katunga Weekly 52 1.4 0.8 Yes Kilmore Weekly 52 4.0 0.9 Yes Kyabram Weekly 52 0.5 0.4 Yes Longwood Weekly 52 1.3 0.3 Yes Mansfield Weekly 52 1.1 0.3 Yes Marysville Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Merrigum Weekly 52 1.3 0.5 Yes Mooroopna Weekly 52 2.3 1.0 Yes Murchison Weekly 52 0.8 0.4 Yes Nagambie Weekly 52 0.8 0.6 Yes Nathalia Weekly 52 0.5 0.3 Yes Numurkah Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Picola Weekly 52 0.5 0.4 Yes Pyalong Weekly 52 0.9 0.8 Yes Rushworth Weekly 52 0.7 0.4 Yes Seymour High Level Weekly 52 0.6 0.4 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 52 0.5 0.3 Yes Shepparton Weekly 53 1.3 0.9 Yes Stanhope Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Strathmerton Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Tallarook Weekly 52 1.0 0.8 Yes Tallygaroopna Weekly 52 0.5 0.4 Yes Tatura Weekly 52 0.5 0.4 Yes Thornton Weekly 52 1.3 0.5 Yes Tongala Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes Toolamba Weekly 52 1.3 0.5 Yes Trawool Weekly 52 1.1 0.8 Yes Upper Delatite Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Violet Town Weekly 52 0.7 0.6 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Weekly 52 0.4 0.4 Yes Waterford Park Weekly 52 0.5 0.4 Yes Wunghnu Weekly 52 0.3 0.3 Yes Yarraweyah Weekly 52 0.6 0.4 Yes Yea Weekly 52 0.4 0.3 Yes
Page 37 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.3.2 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance All drinking water sampling localities complied with the turbidity water quality standard.
3.4 Ozone Based Disinfection By-Product Chemicals
Formaldehyde and bromate are potentially formed where ozone is used for disinfection. GVW does not use ozone based disinfection at any of its water treatment plants and therefore do not monitor for these disinfection by-products.
3.5 Aluminium
Aluminium may be present at low levels in natural waters, and is introduced into water supplies through the use of aluminium-based coagulants used in the treatment process. When water treatment plants are operating effectively, residual levels of aluminium are mostly negligible Residual levels of aluminium post treatment are an indication that coagulation processes may not be optimised and if present at high levels, the water has a metallic taste, and ‘post-flocculation’ of the aluminium may result in dirty water.
Page 38 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.5.1 Results Table 13: Acid Soluble Aluminium (Distribution)
Water Quality Parameter : Aluminium, acid-soluble (Pre 1st April 2017)
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 0.2 mg/L.
Number of Non- Sampling Number of Maximum Result Met Aesthetic Water Sampling Locality complying Frequency Samples (mg/L) Guideline Value Samples Drinking Water
Alexandra Monthly 9 0 0.008 Yes Avenel Monthly 9 0 0.033 Yes Barmah Monthly 9 0 0.027 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 9 0 0.027 Yes Broadford Monthly 9 0 0.022 Yes Buxton Quarterly 3 0 0.051 Yes Cobram Monthly 9 0 0.120 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 9 0 0.029 Yes Dookie Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Eildon Monthly 9 0 0.024 Yes Euroa Monthly 9 0 0.023 Yes Girgarre Monthly 9 0 0.015 Yes Katamatite Monthly 10 0 0.053 Yes Katandra West Monthly 9 0 0.027 Yes Katunga Quarterly 3 0 <0.005 Yes Kilmore Monthly 9 0 0.025 Yes Kyabram Monthly 9 0 0.045 Yes Longwood Monthly 9 0 0.015 Yes Mansfield Monthly 9 0 0.034 Yes Marysville Quarterly 3 0 0.040 Yes Merrigum Monthly 9 0 0.048 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 9 0 0.200 No Murchison Monthly 9 0 0.085 Yes Nagambie Monthly 9 0 0.068 Yes Nathalia Monthly 9 0 <0.005 Yes Numurkah Monthly 9 0 0.016 Yes Picola Monthly 9 0 0.036 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 3 0 0.007 Yes Rushworth Monthly 9 1 0.460 No Seymour High Level Monthly 9 0 0.028 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 9 0 0.032 Yes Shepparton Monthly 9 1 0.210 No Stanhope Monthly 9 0 0.005 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 9 0 0.082 Yes Tallarook Monthly 9 0 0.021 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 9 1 0.220 No Tatura Monthly 9 0 0.074 Yes Thornton Monthly 9 0 0.034 Yes Tongala Monthly 9 0 0.043 Yes Toolamba Monthly 9 2 0.380 No Trawool Monthly 9 0 0.018 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 9 0 0.007 Yes Violet Town Monthly 9 0 0.012 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 9 0 0.031 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 9 0 0.017 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 9 0 0.033 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 9 0 0.110 Yes Yea Monthly 9 0 0.067 Yes
Page 39 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 14: Acid Soluble Aluminium (Distribution) Water Quality Parameter : Aluminium, acid-soluble (Post 1st April 2017)
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 0.2 mg/L.
Number of Non- Sampling Number of Maximum Result Met Aesthetic Water Sampling Locality complying Frequency Samples (mg/L) Guideline Value Samples Drinking Water
Alexandra Monthly 3 0 0.013 Yes Avenel Monthly 3 0 0.009 Yes Barmah Monthly 3 0 0.021 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 3 0 0.056 Yes Broadford Monthly 3 0 0.040 Yes Buxton Monthly 3 0 0.057 Yes Cobram Monthly 3 0 0.017 Yes Colbinabbin - - - - - Dookie - - - - - Eildon Monthly 3 0 0.009 Yes Euroa Monthly 3 0 0.018 Yes Girgarre - - - - - Katamatite - - - - - Katandra West - - - - - Katunga - - - - - Kilmore Monthly 3 0 0.016 Yes Kyabram Monthly 3 0 0.066 Yes Longwood Monthly 3 0 0.110 Yes Mansfield Monthly 3 0 0.021 Yes Marysville Monthly 3 0 0.046 Yes Merrigum Monthly 3 0 0.056 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 3 0 0.023 Yes Murchison Monthly 3 0 0.024 Yes Nagambie Monthly 3 0 0.014 Yes Nathalia Monthly 3 0 0.009 Yes Numurkah Monthly 3 0 0.042 Yes Picola Monthly 3 0 0.016 Yes Pyalong - - - - - Rushworth Monthly 3 0 0.047 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 3 0 0.014 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 3 0 0.013 Yes Shepparton Monthly 3 0 0.028 Yes Stanhope - - - - - Strathmerton Monthly 3 0 0.021 Yes Tallarook Monthly 3 0 0.013 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 3 0 0.028 Yes Tatura Monthly 3 0 0.028 Yes Thornton Monthly 3 0 0.019 Yes Tongala Monthly 3 0 0.025 Yes Toolamba Monthly 3 0 0.110 Yes Trawool Monthly 3 0 0.006 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 3 0 0.047 Yes Violet Town Monthly 3 0 0.087 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 3 0 0.020 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 3 0 0.025 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 3 0 0.027 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 3 0 0.015 Yes Yea Monthly 3 0 0.013 Yes
Note: From the 1st April 2017, aluminium acid soluble is no longer tested for sites with no coagulation process
Page 40 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 15: Acid Soluble Aluminium (Clear Water Storage)
Water Quality Parameter : Aluminium, acid-soluble (CWS)
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline :Should not exceed 0.2 mg/L.
Number of Samples Maximum Result Met Aesthetic Water Sampling Locality Sampling Frequency Number of Samples that Did Not Meet (mg/L) Guideline Value Aesthetic Guideline
Drinking Water Alexandra Weekly 52 0 0.018 Yes Avenel - - - Barmah Weekly 52 0 0.054 Yes Bonnie Doon Weekly 91 0 0.140 Yes Broadford Weekly 52 7 0.490 No Buxton - - - Cobram Weekly 64 0 0.170 Yes Colbinabbin Weekly 39 0 0.044 Yes Dookie Weekly 39 0 0.039 Yes Eildon Weekly 39 0 0.016 Yes Euroa Weekly 52 1 0.210 No Girgarre Weekly 39 0 0.016 Yes Katamatite - - - Katandra West Weekly 39 0 0.031 Yes Katunga - - Kilmore Weekly 52 0 0.071 Yes Kyabram Weekly 65 0 0.110 Yes Longwood Weekly 65 0 0.120 Yes Mansfield Weekly 52 0 0.100 Yes Marysville Weekly 13 0 0.046 Yes Merrigum - - - - Mooroopna - - - - Murchison Weekly 52 0 0.170 Yes Nagambie Weekly 52 0 0.099 Yes Nathalia Weekly 52 0 0.093 Yes Numurkah Weekly 52 0 0.064 Yes Picola Weekly 52 0 0.036 Yes Pyalong - - - - Rushworth Weekly 52 2 0.270 No Seymour High Level Weekly 52 0 0.079 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 52 0 0.079 Yes Shepparton Weekly 52 5 0.450 No Stanhope Weekly 39 0 0.014 Yes Strathmerton - - - - Tallarook - - - - Tallygaroopna - - - - Tatura Weekly 52 0 0.190 Yes Thornton Weekly 39 0 0.014 Yes Tongala Weekly 65 0 0.079 Yes Toolamba - - - - Trawool - - - - Upper Delatite Weekly 53 0 0.076 Yes Violet Town - - - - Wandong - Heathcote Jn - - - - Waterford Park - - - - Wunghnu - - - - Yarraweyah - - - - Yea Weekly 52 0 0.160 Yes
Note: From the 1st April 2017, aluminium acid soluble is no longer tested for sites with no coagulation process (i.e. Katunga and Pyalong).
Page 41 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.5.2 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance
All localities met the Acid Soluble Aluminium ADWG aesthetic guideline value with the exception of Broadford, Rushworth, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tallygaroopna and Toolamba. The Shepparton WTP supplies the townships of Toolamba, Tallygaroopna and Mooroopna. The elevated aluminium levels in water supplied from the Shepparton WTP CWS were investigated and the root cause for the elevated results was likely related to a change in coagulant dosing associated with changing raw water in the catchment. The likely caused is that there was a change in the coagulation conditions at the water treatment plant. The elevated aluminium result at Rushworth was caused by poor source water quality that required a higher coagulation dose rate to effectively treat the water. Controlling pH is essential to effectively managing aluminium residual levels.
3.6 Fluoride
Water fluoridation is an important and effective public health initiative that benefits the oral health of the community. Fluoride is added to drinking water as directed by the Secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services under the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973. The Code of practice for fluoridation of drinking water supplies specifies the requirements for the safe design and effective operation of a fluoridation plant. The ADWG health guideline value for fluoride is 1.5mg/L. GVW’s operating target for fluoridated water is an annual average concentration of 0.8mg/L.
Page 42 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Results
Table 16: Fluoride in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Fluoride ADWG Health Guideline : Should not exceed 1.5 mg/L. ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Not applicable. Code of Practise for Fluoridation: Rolling annual average should not exceed 1.0mg/L
Number of Non- Sampling Number of Minimum Average Result Maximum Compliant with Water Sampling Locality complying Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) (mg/L) Result (mg/L) Guidelines Samples
Fluoridated Drinking Water
Avenel Weekly 52 0 <0.1 0.6 0.9 Yes Kilmore Weekly 61 0 <0.1 0.6 1.0 Yes Kyabram Weekly 61 0 <0.1 0.7 1.0 Yes Merrigum Weekly 52 0 <0.1 0.7 1.0 Yes Mooroopna Weekly 61 0 0.1 0.8 1.0 Yes Seymour High Level Weekly 52 0 <0.1 0.6 0.9 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 61 0 <0.1 0.5 0.9 Yes Shepparton Weekly 139 0 <0.1 0.8 1.0 Yes Tallarook Weekly 52 0 <0.1 0.5 0.9 Yes Tallygaroopna Weekly 52 0 0.4 0.8 1.0 Yes Tongala Weekly 52 0 0.1 0.8 1.1 Yes Toolamba Weekly 52 0 0.3 0.8 0.9 Yes Trawool Weekly 52 0 <0.1 0.5 0.9 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Weekly 52 0 <0.1 0.7 1.0 Yes Non-Fluoridated Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Barmah Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Bonnie Doon Quarterly 3 0 0.1 N/A Broadford Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Buxton Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Cobram Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Colbinabbin Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Dookie Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Eildon Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Euroa Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Girgarre Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Katamatite Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Katandra West Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Katunga Quarterly 3 0 0.5 N/A Longwood Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Mansfield Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Marysville Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Murchison Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Nagambie Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Nathalia Quarterly 3 0 0.1 N/A Numurkah Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Picola Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 0.3 N/A Rushworth Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Stanhope Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Strathmerton Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Tatura Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Thornton Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Upper Delatite Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Violet Town Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Waterford Park Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Yarraweyah Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A Yea Quarterly 3 0 <0.1 N/A
Notes: Monitoring frequency for non-fluoridated site reduced from quarterly to annually from the 1st April 2017 due to low variabiliity in levels from long term historical data. Quarterly sampling maintained at Pyalong due to historical significant levels of detection
Page 43 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.6.1 Actions in relation to Non-Compliance
During the 2016/2017 reporting period all water sampling localities results were within the fluoride code of practice upper action process limit as per the fluoride Code of Practice and the ADWG health-based guideline value for fluoride.
Each plant has its own optimum fluoride dose. If the annual average dropped below 0.6mg/L it is not providing the desired oral health benefits. This applied to 3 communities: Seymour (Low Level), Tallarook, and Trawool. The low annual average levels were a result of extended period of fluoride system offline. The main causes of failure were instrument failures. GVW aims to continue to address issues in these systems as they arise and try to get the fluoride plants back on line ASAP when there has been issue.
3.7 Other Chemicals that may pose a Risk to Public Health
GVW’s verification monitoring program for these parameters has been designed to provide confidence that water supplied to customers has met water quality standards. GVW uses the ADWG health guideline values to determine compliance of these parameters with water quality standards. This monitoring forms part of the sampling program set out in GVW’s risk management plan. Verification data is also used to identify that there are potential issues with the treatment processes and as a trigger for corrective actions to improve water quality.
Selection of parameters to be monitored has generally been based on hazards identified in risk assessments for each drinking water supply based on historical knowledge of the drinking water catchments. Activities that contribute to the hazards in GVW’s source water catchment include agriculture grazing, dairy, cropping, orchards, mining, recreational activities, and septic tanks. Monitoring frequencies for each selected parameter are determined utilising a risk based approach.
Other parameters monitored by GVW that may pose a risk to health include heavy metals, cyanide, nitrate, nitrite, pesticides, organic compounds, radioactive materials and algal toxins.
Heavy metals monitored by GVW include antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel and selenium. Monitoring frequencies are higher for Katunga with source water from bore due to the elevated risk of metal presence in comparison with surface water. In 2017 antimony was removed from the existing monitoring program following a review. Antimony is considered to be of negligible risk in the GVW catchment.
Cyanide may be present in natural source waters as a result of industrial waste discharge or through the natural decomposition of some plants.
Nitrate may be present in natural waters from fertilisers, industrial waste discharge, the degradation of organic wastes, and even lightning strikes through air. At relatively high concentrations, nitrate can be toxic to humans. Nitrite is relatively unstable and is rapidly oxidised to nitrate in well oxygenated or chlorinated supplies. Nitrite and nitrate are monitored at a higher frequency at Katunga due to the vulnerability of its bore water to contamination.
Page 44 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Pesticides are agricultural chemicals that include insecticides and herbicides. Contamination of raw water supplies by pesticides is generally negligible, but may occur as a result of accidental spills or misuse.
Organic compounds that may impact on the health of consumers are rarely present in drinking water supplies, but could potentially be present in raw water sources as a result of accidental spills or misuse. Low risks organics testing are precluded from Marysville and Katunga due to low likelihood of organics detection in the source water.
Radioactive materials may occur in some environments, either naturally or from industrial sources. GVW’s laboratory testing program includes annual routine screening for gross alpha and beta activity in all raw water supplies to our treatment plants.
Algal toxins are harmful compounds produced by certain species of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). They can only be present if there is a bloom or large numbers of a toxin producing species of blue-green algae. Regular monitoring for the presence of blue-green algae is conducted by GVW’s field technicians. A contingency plan has been developed in response to BGA, including the implementation of laboratory testing for algae and toxins, if significant blooms do occur.
Page 45 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.7.1 Results
Table 17: Health related parameters – Arsenic in Drinking Water Water Quality Parameter : Arsenic, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.01 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Katunga Monthly 10 0 <0.001 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 0.003 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Arsenic monitored quarterly at all localities post 1st April 2017. Hence, only 10 samples were taken at Katunga. One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error.
Page 46 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 18: Health related parameters – Barium in Source Water (Pre 1st April 2017)
Water Quality Parameter : Barium, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 2 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Source Water Sampling Sampling Number of Maximum complying Water Quality Locality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Quarterly 3 0 0.026 Yes Barmah Quarterly 3 0 0.023 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 3 0 0.038 Yes Broadford Quarterly 3 0 0.024 Yes Cobram Quarterly 3 0 0.022 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 3 0 0.033 Yes Dookie Quarterly 3 0 0.022 Yes Euroa Quarterly 3 0 0.035 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 3 0 0.032 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 3 0 0.045 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 3 0 0.021 Yes Katunga Quarterly 3 0 0.038 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 6 0 0.028 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 3 0 0.046 Yes Longwood Quarterly 3 0 0.026 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 3 0 0.019 Yes Marysville Quarterly 3 0 0.019 Yes Murchison Quarterly 3 0 0.035 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 3 0 0.034 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 3 0 0.100 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 3 0 0.040 Yes Picola Quarterly 3 0 0.100 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 3 0 0.210 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 3 0 0.035 Yes Seymour Quarterly 3 0 0.024 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 3 0 0.040 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 3 0 0.073 Yes Tatura Quarterly 3 0 0.062 Yes Tongala Quarterly 3 0 0.065 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 3 0 0.008 Yes Yea Quarterly 3 0 0.068 Yes
1 Kilmore WTP has 6 samples taken due to that fact that it sources its raw water from both Sunday Creek Reservoir and Hollowback Reservoir.
Page 47 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 19: Health related parameters – Barium in Drinking Water (Post 1st April 2017)
Water Quality Parameter : Barium, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 2 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Quarterly 1 0 0.013 Yes Avenel Quarterly 1 0 0.012 Yes Barmah Quarterly 1 0 0.014 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 1 0 0.012 Yes Broadford Quarterly 1 0 0.014 Yes Buxton Quarterly 1 0 0.017 Yes Cobram Quarterly 1 0 0.011 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 1 0 0.032 Yes Dookie Quarterly 1 0 0.021 Yes Eildon Quarterly 1 0 0.014 Yes Euroa Quarterly 1 0 0.021 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 1 0 0.025 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 1 0 0.016 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 1 0 0.013 Yes Katunga Monthly 1 0 0.034 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 1 0 0.029 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 1 0 0.041 Yes Longwood Quarterly 1 0 0.022 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 1 0 0.013 Yes Marysville Quarterly 1 0 0.018 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 1 0 0.038 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 1 0 0.021 Yes Murchison Quarterly 1 0 0.022 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 1 0 0.019 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 1 0 0.023 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 1 0 0.012 Yes Picola Quarterly 1 0 0.067 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 1 0 0.150 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 1 0 0.030 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 1 0 0.014 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 1 0 0.014 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 1 0 0.023 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 1 0 0.037 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 1 0 0.011 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 1 0 0.013 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 1 0 0.020 Yes Tatura Quarterly 1 0 0.024 Yes Thornton Quarterly 1 0 0.015 Yes Tongala Quarterly 1 0 0.034 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 1 0 0.022 Yes Trawool Quarterly 1 0 0.010 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 1 0 0.008 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 1 0 0.021 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 1 0 0.026 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 1 0 0.013 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 1 0 0.014 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 1 0 0.011 Yes Yea Quarterly 1 0 0.027 Yes
Page 48 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 20: Health Related Parameters – Cadmium in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Cadmium, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.002 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Katunga Monthly 10 0 <0.0001 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.0001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes
Cadmium monitored quarterly at all localities post 1st April 2017. Hence, only 10 samples were taken at Katunga. One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error.
Page 49 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 21: Health related parameters – Free Chlorine in Drinking Water (Distribution)
Water Quality Parameter : Chlorine, Free
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 5 mg/L
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Minimum Average Result Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) (mg/L) Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.61 1.01 Yes Avenel Weekly 52 0 0.19 0.57 0.96 Yes Barmah Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.74 1.40 Yes Bonnie Doon Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.49 1.17 Yes Broadford Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.42 0.96 Yes Buxton Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.48 0.89 Yes Cobram Weekly 64 0 0.46 0.79 1.07 Yes Colbinabbin Weekly 52 0 0.24 0.57 1.00 Yes Dookie Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.64 1.11 Yes Eildon Weekly 52 0 <0.02 0.53 0.94 Yes Euroa Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.33 0.89 Yes Girgarre Weekly 52 0 0.12 0.54 1.01 Yes Katamatite Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.49 0.94 Yes Katandra West Weekly 52 0 0.45 0.68 1.07 Yes Katunga Weekly 52 0 0.38 0.79 1.19 Yes Kilmore Weekly 64 0 0.05 0.50 1.05 Yes Kyabram Weekly 64 0 0.14 0.59 0.87 Yes Longwood Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.67 1.76 Yes Mansfield Weekly 52 0 <0.02 0.60 1.03 Yes Marysville Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.44 0.92 Yes Merrigum Weekly 52 0 0.12 0.41 0.75 Yes Mooroopna Weekly 64 0 0.05 0.32 0.91 Yes Murchison Weekly 52 0 0.14 0.40 0.81 Yes Nagambie Weekly 53 0 0.05 0.32 1.16 Yes Nathalia Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.58 1.14 Yes Numurkah Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.69 1.31 Yes Picola Weekly 52 0 0.04 0.44 0.97 Yes Pyalong Weekly 52 0 0.02 0.11 0.49 Yes Rushworth Weekly 52 0 <0.02 0.41 0.78 Yes Seymour High Level Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.29 0.79 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 64 0 0.05 0.51 0.85 Yes Shepparton Weekly 168 0 0.05 0.43 0.82 Yes Stanhope Weekly 52 0 0.39 0.71 1.54 Yes Strathmerton Weekly 52 0 0.27 0.56 0.88 Yes Tallarook Weekly 52 0 0.12 0.63 1.05 Yes Tallygaroopna Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.38 0.76 Yes Tatura Weekly 52 0 0.13 0.64 1.11 Yes Thornton Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.48 0.87 Yes Tongala Weekly 53 0 0.05 0.44 0.88 Yes Toolamba Weekly 52 0 0.30 0.61 0.96 Yes Trawool Weekly 52 0 0.02 0.07 0.30 Yes Upper Delatite Weekly 50 0 0.04 0.57 1.08 Yes Violet Town Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.32 0.72 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.30 0.89 Yes Waterford Park Weekly 52 0 0.05 0.39 0.64 Yes Wunghnu Weekly 52 0 0.15 0.70 1.26 Yes Yarraweyah Weekly 52 0 0.29 0.58 0.93 Yes Yea Weekly 52 0 0.04 0.45 0.91 Yes
Water sampler failed to record two separate field results in Upper Delatite sampling locality
Page 50 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 22: Health related parameters – Free Chlorine in Drinking Water (Clear Water Storage)
Water Quality Parameter : Chlorine, Free (CWS Outlet)
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 5 mg/L
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Minimum Average Result Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) (mg/L) Result (mg/L) Samples Standards Drinking Water Alexandra Weekly 104 0 0.52 0.80 1.10 Yes Avenel Weekly 105 0 0.25 0.71 1.20 Yes Barmah Weekly 102 0 0.41 0.95 1.82 Yes Bonnie Doon Weekly 208 0 0.21 0.76 2.20 Yes Broadford Weekly 104 0 0.54 0.85 1.26 Yes Buxton Weekly 106 0 0.36 0.72 1.33 Yes Cobram Weekly 154 0 0.51 0.86 1.17 Yes Colbinabbin Weekly 105 0 0.32 0.67 1.08 Yes Dookie Weekly 104 0 0.38 0.75 1.13 Yes Eildon Weekly 104 0 0.36 0.70 1.15 Yes Euroa Weekly 105 0 0.30 0.82 1.31 Yes Girgarre Weekly 156 0 0.30 0.99 2.60 Yes Katamatite Weekly 61 0 0.37 1.06 1.64 Yes Katandra West Weekly 105 0 0.46 0.75 1.24 Yes Katunga Weekly 100 0 0.49 0.93 1.38 Yes Kilmore Weekly 196 0 0.48 1.06 1.83 Yes Kyabram Weekly 208 0 0.43 0.71 1.02 Yes Longwood Weekly 209 0 0.13 1.36 3.10 Yes Mansfield Weekly 105 0 0.45 0.78 1.28 Yes Marysville Weekly 103 0 0.49 0.85 1.52 Yes Merrigum Weekly 104 0 0.35 0.57 0.90 Yes Mooroopna Weekly 117 0 0.27 0.62 1.04 Yes Murchison Weekly 104 0 0.42 0.75 1.15 Yes Nagambie Weekly 106 0 0.10 0.79 1.49 Yes Nathalia Weekly 101 0 0.12 1.08 1.58 Yes Numurkah Weekly 101 0 0.67 1.17 1.85 Yes Picola Weekly 94 0 0.35 0.84 1.97 Yes Pyalong Weekly 105 0 0.24 0.78 1.18 Yes Rushworth Weekly 104 0 0.40 0.71 1.15 Yes Seymour High Level Weekly 209 0 0.22 0.77 1.53 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 209 0 0.22 0.77 1.53 Yes Shepparton Weekly 315 0 0.10 0.74 1.40 Yes Stanhope Weekly 104 0 0.37 0.72 1.47 Yes Strathmerton Weekly 104 0 0.37 0.72 1.47 Yes Tallarook Weekly 103 0 0.32 0.83 1.23 Yes Tallygaroopna Weekly 103 0 0.32 0.83 1.23 Yes Tatura Weekly 104 0 0.49 0.80 1.24 Yes Thornton Weekly 104 0 0.57 0.79 1.06 Yes Tongala Weekly 156 0 0.40 0.71 1.28 Yes Toolamba Weekly 94 0 0.46 0.64 1.01 Yes Trawool Weekly 94 0 0.46 0.64 1.01 Yes Upper Delatite Weekly 94 0 0.46 0.64 1.01 Yes Violet Town Weekly 102 0 0.25 0.72 1.19 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Weekly 104 0 0.23 0.59 1.21 Yes Waterford Park Weekly 104 0 0.23 0.57 1.30 Yes Wunghnu Weekly 104 0 0.23 0.57 1.30 Yes Yarraweyah Weekly 104 0 0.23 0.57 1.30 Yes Yea Weekly 104 0 0.33 0.71 1.11 Yes Number of samples are reflective of the number of storages
Page 51 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 23: Health related parameters – Chromium in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Chromium, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.05 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 0.006 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Katunga Monthly 10 0 0.003 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Chromium monitored quarterly at all localities post 1st April 2017. Hence, only 10 samples were taken at Katunga. One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error.
Page 52 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 24: Health related parameters – Copper in Drinking Water Water Quality Parameter : Copper, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 2 mg/L. ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 1 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 0.029 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 0.010 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 0.007 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 0.031 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 0.012 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 0.014 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 0.007 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 0.015 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 0.084 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 0.007 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 0.011 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 0.012 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 0.003 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 0.021 Yes Katunga Monthly 10 0 0.300 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 0.023 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 0.005 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 0.051 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 0.004 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 0.110 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 0.004 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 0.004 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 0.012 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 0.061 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 0.047 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 0.005 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 0.024 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 0.032 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 0.005 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 0.017 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 0.006 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 0.005 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 0.030 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 0.013 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 0.013 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 0.007 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 0.006 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 0.003 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 0.016 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 0.004 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 0.011 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 0.007 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 0.038 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 0.034 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 0.028 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 0.014 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 0.018 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 0.011 Yes Copper monitored quarterly at all localities post 1st April 2017. Hence, only 10 samples were taken at Katunga. One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error
Page 53 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 25: Health related parameters – Lead in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Lead, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.01 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 0.004 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 0.003 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Katunga Monthly 10 0 <0.001 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 0.005 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Lead monitored quarterly at all localities post 1st April 2017. Hence, only 10 samples were taken at Katunga. One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error
Page 54 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 26: Health Related Parameters – Manganese in Drinking Water Water Quality Parameter : Manganese, total (Pre 1st April 2017) Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.5 mg/L. ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 0.1 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 3 0 0.003 Yes Avenel Quarterly 3 0 0.031 Yes Barmah Quarterly 7 0 0.045 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 3 0 0.005 Yes Broadford Quarterly 3 0 0.013 Yes Buxton Quarterly 3 0 0.001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Eildon Quarterly 3 0 0.032 Yes Euroa Quarterly 3 0 0.001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 3 0 0.026 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Katunga Monthly 9 0 0.002 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 3 0 0.001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Longwood Quarterly 3 0 0.004 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 3 0 0.034 Yes Marysville Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 2 0 0.006 Yes Murchison Quarterly 3 0 0.014 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 3 0 0.005 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 3 0 0.003 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 3 0 0.003 Yes Picola Quarterly 3 0 0.034 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 3 0 0.003 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 3 0 0.007 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 3 0 0.007 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 3 0 0.012 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 3 0 0.009 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Tatura Quarterly 3 0 0.002 Yes Thornton Quarterly 3 0 0.001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 3 0 0.001 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 3 0 0.004 Yes Trawool Quarterly 3 0 0.010 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 3 0 0.001 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 3 0 0.003 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 3 0 0.004 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 2 0 0.001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Yea Quarterly 3 0 0.008 Yes
Page 55 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Water Quality Parameter : Manganese, total (Post 1st April 2017) Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.5 mg/L. ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 0.1 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 1 0 0.003 Yes Avenel Weekly 10 0 0.005 Yes Barmah Weekly 10 0 0.026 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Broadford Weekly 10 0 0.037 Yes Buxton Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 1 0 0.003 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Eildon Quarterly 1 0 0.002 Yes Euroa Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 1 0 0.001 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 1 0 0.008 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Katunga Monthly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 1 0 0.001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 1 0 0.003 Yes Longwood Weekly 10 0 0.003 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 1 0 0.002 Yes Marysville Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 1 0 0.001 Yes Mooroopna Weekly 10 0 0.012 Yes Murchison Weekly 10 0 0.004 Yes Nagambie Weekly 10 0 0.003 Yes Nathalia Weekly 10 0 0.008 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Picola Weekly 10 0 0.007 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour High Level Weekly 10 0 0.010 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 10 0 0.004 Yes Shepparton Weekly 10 0 0.006 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 1 0 0.001 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Tallarook Weekly 10 0 0.026 Yes Tallygaroopna Weekly 10 0 0.002 Yes Tatura Quarterly 1 0 0.001 Yes Thornton Quarterly 1 0 0.002 Yes Tongala Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Toolamba Weekly 11 0 0.002 Yes Trawool Weekly 10 0 0.009 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 1 0 0.001 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 1 0 0.001 Yes Waterford Park Weekly 10 0 0.037 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Yea Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes From the 1st April 2017, monthly monitoring at sites more likely to experience issues with manganese in source water - Longwood, Nagambie, Shepparton, Murchison, Seymour, Picola, Barmah, Broadford, Nathalia, Mansfield based on current understanding of supply system. Weekly monitoring in spring and autumn (during natural turnover period) at high risk sites (March to May, September to November)
Page 56 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 27: Health related parameters – Mercury in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Mercury, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.001 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Katunga Monthly 10 0 <0.0001 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 0.000 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 0.000 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.0001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 <0.0001 Yes Mercury monitored quarterly at all localities post 1st April 2017. Hence, only 10 samples were taken at Katunga. One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error
Page 57 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 28: Health Related Parameters - Molybdenum in Source Water (Pre 1st April 2017)
Water Quality Parameter : Molybdenum, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.05 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Source Water Sampling Sampling Number of Maximum complying Water Quality Locality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Barmah Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Broadford Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Euroa Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Katunga Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 6 0 <0.001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Longwood Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Marysville Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Murchison Quarterly 3 0 <0.005 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Picola Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Tatura Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Yea Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes
1 Kilmore WTP has 6 samples taken due to that fact that it sources its raw water from both Sunday Creek Reservoir and Hollowback Reservoir .
Page 58 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 29: Health Related Parameters - Molybdenum in Drinking Water (Post 1st April 2017)
Water Quality Parameter : Molybdenum, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.05 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Avenel Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Barmah Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Broadford Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Buxton Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Dookie Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Eildon Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Euroa Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Katunga Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Longwood Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Marysville Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Murchison Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Picola Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Tatura Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Thornton Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Trawool Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes Yea Quarterly 1 0 <0.001 Yes
Page 59 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 30: Health Related Parameters – Nickel in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Nickel, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.02 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water
Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 0.004 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 0.005 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Katunga Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 0.004 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 0.008 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 0.002 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 0.001 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.001 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 <0.001 Yes Nickel monitored quarterly at all localities post 1st April 2017. Hence, only 10 samples were taken at Katunga. One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error
Page 60 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 31: Health Related Parameters – Selenium in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Selenium, total
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.01 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Katunga Monthly 10 0 <0.002 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.002 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 <0.002 Yes Selenium monitored quarterly at all localities post 1st April 2017. Hence, only 10 samples were taken at Katunga. One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error
Page 61 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 32: Health Related Parameters – Cyanide in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Cyanide
Water Quality Standard: Should not exceed 0.08 mg/L.
Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Katunga Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 <0.01 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 <0.01 Yes
One missed sample at Wunghnu due to scheduling error
Page 62 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 33: Health related parameters – Oxidised nitrogen (nitrate and nitrite) in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Oxidised Nitrogen (Nitrate and Nitrite)
Water Quality Standard: Nitrate should not exceed 50 mg/L as NO3 (11 mg/L as NO3-N)
Water Quality Standard: Nitrite should not exceed 3 mg/L as NO2 (0.9 mg/L as NO2-N)
Maximum Maximum Number of Non- Compliant with Sampling Number of Nitrate Nitrite Water Sampling Locality complying Water Quality Frequency Samples Result (mg/L Result (mg/L Samples Standard as NO 3 -N) as NO 2 -N) Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 0.250 <0.005 Yes Avenel Quarterly 3 0 0.560 <0.005 Yes Barmah Quarterly 3 0 0.230 <0.005 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 3 0 0.086 <0.005 Yes Broadford Quarterly 3 0 0.061 0.006 Yes Buxton Quarterly 3 0 0.150 <0.005 Yes Cobram Quarterly 3 0 0.210 <0.005 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 3 0 0.033 <0.005 Yes Dookie Quarterly 3 0 0.130 <0.005 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 0.320 <0.005 Yes Euroa Quarterly 3 0 0.530 <0.005 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 3 0 0.100 <0.005 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 3 0 0.120 <0.005 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 3 0 0.120 <0.005 Yes Katunga Monthly 10 0 0.840 0.005 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 3 0 0.089 <0.005 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 3 0 0.023 <0.005 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 0.980 <0.005 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 3 0 0.046 <0.005 Yes Marysville Quarterly 3 0 0.150 <0.005 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 3 0 0.023 <0.005 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 3 0 0.320 <0.005 Yes Murchison Quarterly 3 0 0.650 <0.005 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 3 0 0.320 <0.005 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 1.400 <0.005 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 6 0 0.670 <0.005 Yes Picola Quarterly 3 0 1.100 <0.005 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 4 0 0.640 <0.005 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 3 0 0.220 <0.005 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 3 0 0.500 <0.005 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 3 0 0.530 <0.005 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 3 0 0.290 <0.005 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 3 0 0.300 <0.005 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 3 0 0.310 <0.005 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 3 0 0.560 <0.005 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 3 0 0.340 <0.005 Yes Tatura Quarterly 3 0 0.250 <0.005 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 0.320 <0.005 Yes Tongala Quarterly 3 0 0.160 <0.005 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 3 0 0.350 0.005 Yes Trawool Quarterly 3 0 0.520 <0.005 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 3 0 0.200 <0.005 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 3 0 0.670 <0.005 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 3 0 0.081 0.014 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 3 0 0.077 0.018 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 0.650 <0.005 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 3 0 0.210 <0.005 Yes Yea Quarterly 3 0 0.590 <0.005 Yes
Note: From the 1st April 2017, nitrate monitoring scaled down from Quarterly to Annually except for sites with potential risk of contamination (Pyalong, Alexandra, Longwood, Nathalia, and Katunga)
Page 63 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 34: Health related parameters – Organic compounds in Source Water (Pre 1st April 2017)
All the organic compounds tested in source water were reported by the NATA laboratory at values below the level of reporting.
Water Quality Parameter : Health-related organic compounds
Water Quality Standard: For those compounds tested (listed below), the relevant health-based limits are shown.
Acenaphthene n/a 1,1-dichloroethene 30 μg/L PCB Congener C180 n/a Acenapthylene n/a 1,2-dichloroethane 3 μg/L PCB Congener C28 n/a Anthracene n/a 2,4-dichlorophenol 200 μg/L PCB Congener C52 n/a Benzene 1 μg/L Ethyl Benzene 300 μg/L Phenanthrene n/a Benzo-(a)-pyrene 0.01 μg/L Fluoranthene n/a Pyrene n/a Benzo-[a]-anthracene n/a Fluorene n/a Tetrachloroethene 50 μg/L Benzo-[b,k]-fluoranthene n/a Indeno-[1,2,3-cd]-pyrene n/a Toluene 800 μg/L Benzo-[g,h,i]-perylene n/a 1-methylnapthalene n/a Tribromomethane (Bromoform) 250 μg/L Bromodichloromethane 250 μg/L 2-methylnapthalene n/a Trichloromethane (Chloroform) 250 μg/L Carbon tetrachloride 3 μg/L Napthalene n/a 2,4,6-trichlorophenol 20 μg/L 2-chlorophenol 300 μg/L PCB Congener C101 n/a Xylene, meta & para 600 μg/L Chrysene n/a PCB Congener C118 n/a Xylene, ortho 600 μg/L Dibenzo-[a,h]-anthracene n/a PCB Congener C138 n/a Dibromochloromethane 250 μg/L PCB Congener C153 n/a
Number of Non- Compliant with Source Water Sampling Sampling Number of complying Water Quality Locality Frequency Samples Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 3 0 Yes Barmah Quarterly 3 0 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 3 0 Yes Broadford Quarterly 3 0 Yes Cobram Quarterly 3 0 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 3 0 Yes Dookie Quarterly 3 0 Yes Euroa Quarterly 3 0 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 3 0 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 3 0 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 3 0 Yes Katunga Quarterly 3 0 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 6 0 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 3 0 Yes Longwood Quarterly 3 0 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 3 0 Yes Marysville Quarterly 3 0 Yes Murchison Quarterly 3 0 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 3 0 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 3 0 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 3 0 Yes Picola Quarterly 3 0 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 3 0 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 3 0 Yes Seymour Quarterly 3 0 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 3 0 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 3 0 Yes Tatura Quarterly 3 0 Yes Tongala Quarterly 3 0 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 3 0 Yes Yea Quarterly 3 0 Yes
1 Kilmore WTP has 6 samples taken due to that fact that it sources its raw water from both Sunday Creek Reservoir and Hollowback Reservoir .
Page 64 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 35: Health related parameters – Organic compounds in Drinking Water (Pre 1st April 2017)
All the organic compounds tested in drinking water were reported by the NATA laboratory at values below the level of reporting.
Water Quality Parameter : Health-related organic compounds (Reticulation)
Water Quality Standard: For those compounds tested (listed below), the relevant health-based limits are shown.
Benzene 1 μg/L Tetrachloroethene 50 μg/L Carbon tetrachloride 3 μg/L Toluene 800 μg/L 1,1-dichloroethene 30 μg/L 2,4,6-trichlorophenol 20 μg/L 1,2-dichloroethane 3 μg/L Xylene, meta & para 600 μg/L Ethyl Benzene 300 μg/L Xylene, ortho 600 μg/L
Number of Non- Compliant with Water Sampling Locality Sampling Frequency Number of Samples complying Water Quality Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Monthly 9 0 Yes Avenel Monthly 9 0 Yes Barmah Monthly 9 0 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 9 0 Yes Broadford Monthly 9 0 Yes Buxton Monthly 9 0 Yes Cobram Monthly 9 0 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 9 0 Yes Dookie Monthly 9 0 Yes Eildon Monthly 9 0 Yes Euroa Monthly 9 0 Yes Girgarre Monthly 9 0 Yes Katamatite Monthly 9 0 Yes Katandra West Monthly 9 0 Yes Katunga Monthly 9 0 Yes Kilmore Monthly 9 0 Yes Kyabram Monthly 9 0 Yes Longwood Monthly 9 0 Yes Mansfield Monthly 9 0 Yes Marysville Monthly 9 0 Yes Merrigum Monthly 9 0 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 9 0 Yes Murchison Monthly 9 0 Yes Nagambie Monthly 9 0 Yes Nathalia Monthly 9 0 Yes Numurkah Monthly 9 0 Yes Picola Monthly 9 0 Yes Pyalong Monthly 9 0 Yes Rushworth Monthly 9 0 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 9 0 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 9 0 Yes Shepparton Monthly 9 0 Yes Stanhope Monthly 9 0 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 9 0 Yes Tallarook Monthly 9 0 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 9 0 Yes Tatura Monthly 9 0 Yes Thornton Monthly 9 0 Yes Tongala Monthly 9 0 Yes Toolamba Monthly 9 0 Yes Trawool Monthly 9 0 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 9 0 Yes Violet Town Monthly 9 0 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 9 0 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 9 0 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 9 0 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 9 0 Yes Yea Monthly 9 0 Yes
Page 65 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 36: Health related parameters – Organics (Post 1st April 2017)
Volatile Organics Screen Semivolatile organics screen
Monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Halogenated volatile organics Acenaphthene Benzene Acenaphthylene Bromobenzene Anthracene Bromochloromethane Benzo(a)anthracene Bromodichloromethane Benzo (a) pyrene Bromomethane Benzo (b) fluoranthene n-Butylbenzene Benzo (ghi) perylene s-Butylbenzene Benzo (k) fluoranthene t-Butylbenzene Chrysene Carbon Tetrachloride Dibenz (ah) anthracene Chlorobenzene Dibenz (aj) acridine Chloroethane Dibenzo[a,e]pyrene Chloromethane 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene 2-Chlorotoluene Fluoranthene 4-Chlorotoluene Fluorene Dibromochloromethane Indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane 3-Methylcholanthrene 1,2-Dibromoethane Naphthalene Dibromomethane Phenanthrene 1,2-Dichlorobenzene Pyrene 1,3-Dichlorobenzene Halogenated semivolatile organics 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 2-Chloronaphthalene Dichlorodifluoromethane 1,2-Dichlorobenzene 1,2-Dichloroethane 1,3-Dichlorobenzene 1,1-Dichloroethane 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 1,1-Dichloroethene Hexachlorobenzene cis-1,2-Dichloroethene Hexachlorobutadiene trans-1,2-Dichloroethene Hexachlorocyclopentadiene Dichloromethane Hexachloroethane 1,2-Dichloropropane Hexachloropropene 1,3-Dichloropropane Pentachlorobenzene 2,2-Dichloropropane 1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene 1,1-Dichloropropene 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene cis-1,3-Dichloropropene 1,3,5-Trichlorobenzene trans-1,3-Dichloropropene bis (2-chloroisopropyl) ether Ethylbenzene 4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene Bis (2-Chloroethoxy) methane Isopropylbenzene Bis (2-Chloroethyl) ether p-Isopropyltoluene 4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether Naphthalene Plasticisers n-Propylbenzene Butyl Benzyl phthalate Styrene Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Di-n-Butyl phthalate Tetrachloroethene Diethyl Phthalate 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane Dimethyl Phthalate Toluene Di-n-Octyl phthalate Tribromomethane 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 1,1,2-Trichloroethane Trichloroethene Trichlorofluoromethane Trichloromethane 1,2,3-Trichloropropane 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene Vinyl Chloride m&p-Xylenes o-Xylene
Page 66 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Compliant with Water Quality Source Water Sampling Sampling Standards Locality Frequency Volatile Semi-Volatile Organics Organics Drinking Water Alexandra Annually Yes Yes Barmah Monthly Yes Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly Yes Yes Broadford Annually Yes Yes Cobram Monthly Yes Yes Colbinabbin Annually Yes Yes Dookie Annually Yes Yes Euroa Annually Yes Yes Girgarre Annually Yes Yes Katamatite Annually Yes Yes Katandra West Annually Yes Yes Katunga Annually Yes Yes Kilmore Annually Yes Yes Kyabram Annually Yes Yes Longwood Annually Yes Yes Mansfield Annually Yes Yes Marysville Annually Yes Yes Murchison Annually Yes Yes Nagambie Monthly Yes Yes Nathalia Annually Yes Yes Numurkah Annually Yes Yes Picola Annually Yes Yes Pyalong Annually Yes Yes Rushworth Monthly Yes Yes Seymour Annually Yes Yes Shepparton Annually Yes Yes Stanhope Annually Yes Yes Tatura Annually Yes Yes Tongala Annually Yes Yes Upper Delatite Annually Yes Yes Yea Annually Yes Yes
Page 67 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 37: Health related parameters – Pesticides in Source Water (Pre 1st April 2017)
All the pesticides tested in the source water were reported by the NATA laboratory at values below the level of reporting.
Water Quality Parameter : Pesticides
Water Quality Standard: For those pesticides tested (listed below), the relevant health-based limits are shown.
Acrolein n/a Endosulfan 30 μg/L Parathion 20 μg/L Aldrin 0.3 μg/L Endosulfan II n/a Pentachlorophenol 10 μg/L alpha - BHC n/a Endosulfan Sulphate n/a Phorate n/a Atrazine 20 μg/L Endrin n/a Picloram 300 μg/L Azinphos-methyl 30 μg/L Propiconazole 100 μg/L beta - BHC n/a Endrin Ketone n/a Prothiophos n/a Bromoxynil 10 μg/L EPN n/a Simazine 20 μg/L Ethoprophos (Prophos) 1 μg/L 2,4,5-T 100 μg/L Fenchlorphos (Ronnel) 30 μg/L Tetrachlorvinphos 100 μg/L Chlorpyrifos 10 μg/L Fenitrothion 7 μg/L Triclopyr 20 μg/L Clopyralid 2000 μg/L Fenoprop (Silvex / 2,4,5-TP) 10 μg/L Trifluralin 90 μg/L Coumaphos n/a Fenthion 7 Amitrole* 9 μg/L 2,4-D 30 μg/L Heptachlor 0.3 μg/L Chlorothalonil* 50 μg/L DDD n/a Heptachlor epoxide 0.3 μg/L Chlorsulfuron* 200 μg/L DDE n/a Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) n/a Fipronil* 0.7 DDT 20 μg/L Hexazinone 400 μg/L Methomyl* 20 μg/L delta-BHC n/a Lindane (gamma-BHC) 20 μg/L Omethoate* 1 μg/L Demeton-S Methyl n/a Maldison (Malathion) 50 μg/L Oxyfluorfen* n/a Diazinon 4 μg/L MCPA 40 Parathion methyl* 0.7 μg/L Dicamba 100 μg/L Metribuzin 70 μg/L Pendimethalin* 400 μg/L Dichlorvos (DDVP) 5 μg/L Metsulfuron-methyl 40 μg/L Sulfometuron Methyl* n/a Dieldrin 0.3 μg/L Molinate 4 μg/L Temephos* 400 μg/L Dimethoate 7 μg/L Monocrotophos 2 μg/L Thiobencarb* 40 μg/L
Page 68 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 38: Health related parameters – Pesticides in Source Water (continued)
Number of Non- Compliant with Source Water Sampling Sampling Number of complying Water Quality Locality Frequency Samples Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 3 0 Yes Barmah Quarterly 3 0 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 3 0 Yes Broadford Quarterly 3 0 Yes Cobram Quarterly 3 0 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 3 0 Yes Dookie Quarterly 3 0 Yes Euroa Quarterly 3 0 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 3 0 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 3 0 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 3 0 Yes Katunga Quarterly 3 0 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 6 0 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 3 0 Yes Longwood Quarterly 3 0 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 3 0 Yes Marysville Quarterly 3 0 Yes Murchison Quarterly 3 0 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 3 0 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 3 0 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 3 0 Yes Picola Quarterly 3 0 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 3 0 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 3 0 Yes Seymour Quarterly 3 0 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 3 0 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 3 0 Yes Tatura Quarterly 3 0 Yes Tongala Quarterly 3 0 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 3 0 Yes Yea Quarterly 3 0 Yes
All parameters listed above were tested quarterly at all drinking water offtakes, except for pesticides marked with "*", which are tested annually. 1 Kilmore WTP has 8 samples taken due to that fact that it sources its raw water from both Sunday Creek Reservoir and Hollowback Reservoir .
Page 69 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 39: Health related parameters – Pesticides in Drinking Water
All the pesticides tested in the drinking water (pre 1st April 2017) were reported by the NATA laboratory at values below the level of reporting.
Water Quality Parameter : Pesticides (Reticulation) (Pre 1st April 2017)
Water Quality Standard: For those pesticides tested (listed below), the relevant health-based limits are shown.
Acrolein n/a 2,4-D 30 μg/L Pentachlorophenol 10 μg/L
Number of Non- Compliant with Water Sampling Locality Sampling Frequency Number of Samples complying Water Quality Samples Standard Drinking Water Alexandra Monthly 9 0 Yes Avenel Monthly 9 0 Yes Barmah Monthly 9 0 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 9 0 Yes Broadford Monthly 9 0 Yes Buxton Monthly 9 0 Yes Cobram Monthly 9 0 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 9 0 Yes Dookie Monthly 9 0 Yes Eildon Monthly 9 0 Yes Euroa Monthly 9 0 Yes Girgarre Monthly 9 0 Yes Katamatite Monthly 9 0 Yes Katandra West Monthly 9 0 Yes Katunga Monthly 9 0 Yes Kilmore Monthly 9 0 Yes Kyabram Monthly 9 0 Yes Longwood Monthly 9 0 Yes Mansfield Monthly 9 0 Yes Marysville Monthly 9 0 Yes Merrigum Monthly 9 0 Yes Mooroopna Monthly 9 0 Yes Murchison Monthly 9 0 Yes Nagambie Monthly 22 0 Yes Nathalia Monthly 9 0 Yes Numurkah Monthly 9 0 Yes Picola Monthly 9 0 Yes Pyalong Monthly 9 0 Yes Rushworth Monthly 9 0 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 9 0 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 9 0 Yes Shepparton Monthly 9 0 Yes Stanhope Monthly 9 0 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 9 0 Yes Tallarook Monthly 9 0 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 9 0 Yes Tatura Monthly 9 0 Yes Thornton Monthly 9 0 Yes Tongala Monthly 9 0 Yes Toolamba Monthly 9 0 Yes Trawool Monthly 9 0 Yes Upper Delatite Monthly 9 0 Yes Violet Town Monthly 9 0 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 9 0 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 9 0 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 9 0 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 9 0 Yes Yea Monthly 9 0 Yes
Page 70 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 40: Health related parameters – Pesticides (Post 1st April 2017) Part 1 GVW’s source water is from open/multi-use catchment with potential risk of pesticide detection due to intensive farming activities. Frequency for pesticides and herbicides which may be detected (known local use and detected) in Goulburn Valley catchment are monitored on a quarterly basis. All pesticide results post 1st April 2017 were reported by the NATA laboratory at values below the level of reporting except for 2-methyl-4- Chlorophenoxyacetic acid reported at 1ug/L in Cobram locality. There is no ADWG health guideline value associated with this compound. Maximum Result (ug/L) Standard Source Water Sampling Sampling 2,4-D [(2,4- 2-methyl-4- Aldrin Azinphos Ethoprophos Fenchlorphos Met Locality Frequency Dichlorophenoxy) Chlorophenoxy Acephate Ametryn Atrazine Chlordane Chlorfenvinphos Chlorpyrifos Diazinon Dichlorprop Dichlorvos Dicofol Dimethoate Disulfoton Endosulfan Ethion Fenamiphos Fenitrothion Glyphosate {Eldrin} methyl {Prophos} {Ronnel} (Yes/No) acetic acid] acetic acid Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Barmah Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Broadford Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Cobram Quarterly <1 1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Dookie Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Euroa Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Girgarre Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Katamatite Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Katandra West Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Katunga Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Kilmore Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Kyabram Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Longwood Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Mansfield Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Marysville Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Murchison Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Nagambie Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Nathalia Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Numurkah Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Picola Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Pyalong Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Rushworth Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Seymour Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Shepparton Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Stanhope Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Tatura Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Tongala Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes Yea Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10 Yes
Page 71 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 41: Health related parameters – Pesticides (Post 1st April 2017) Part 2
Maximum Result (ug/L) Source Water Sampling Sampling Standard Heptachlor Lindane Malathion Parathion Pirimiphos Locality Frequency Heptachlor Imazapyr Methidathion Mevinphos Naphthalophos Omethoate Parathion Profenofos Propazine Simazine Sulprofos Temephos Terbufos Terbuthylazine Terbutryn Thiometon Trichlorfon Met epoxide (mg/kg) {Maldison} methyl methyl (Yes/No) Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Barmah Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Broadford Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Cobram Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Dookie Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Euroa Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Girgarre Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Katamatite Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Katandra West Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Katunga Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Kilmore Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Kyabram Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Longwood Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Mansfield Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Marysville Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Murchison Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Nagambie Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Nathalia Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Numurkah Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Picola Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Pyalong Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Rushworth Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Seymour Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Shepparton Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Stanhope Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Tatura Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Tongala Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes Yea Quarterly <1 <1 <1 <0.001 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Yes
Page 72 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 42: Health related parameters – Radiological in Source Water
Water Quality Parameter : Radiological parameters
Water Quality Standard: For those parameters tested (listed below), the relevant screening levels are shown. Gross Alpha activity Screening level of 0.5 Bq/L Gross Beta activity Screening level of 0.5 Bq/L (corrected for Potassium-40)
Number of Gross Alpha Gross Beta Gross Alpha Gross Beta Source Water Sampling Sampling Number of Non-complying Radiation Radiation Compliant with Compliant with Locality Frequency Samples Samples Activity Activity Guidelines Guidelines
Drinking Water Alexandra Yearly 1 0 0.02 0.04 Yes Yes Barmah Yearly 1 0 0.13 0.14 Yes Yes Bonnie Doon Yearly 1 0 0.03 0.04 Yes Yes Broadford Yearly 1 0 0.01 0.04 Yes Yes Cobram Yearly 1 0 0.05 0.04 Yes Yes Colbinabbin Yearly 1 0 0.02 0.01 Yes Yes Dookie Yearly 1 0 0.02 0.04 Yes Yes Euroa Yearly 1 0 0.02 0.03 Yes Yes Girgarre Yearly 1 0 0.02 0.04 Yes Yes Katamatite Yearly 1 0 0.07 0.04 Yes Yes Katandra West Yearly 1 0 0.03 0.04 Yes Yes Katunga Yearly 1 0 0.09 0.08 Yes Yes Kilmore Yearly 2 0 0.03 0.04 Yes Yes Kyabram Yearly 1 0 0.03 0.03 Yes Yes Longwood Yearly 1 0 0.03 0.04 Yes Yes Mansfield Yearly 1 0 0.02 0.04 Yes Yes Marysville Yearly 1 0 0.03 0.04 Yes Yes Murchison Yearly 1 0 0.03 0.04 Yes Yes Nagambie Yearly 1 0 0.04 0.04 Yes Yes Nathalia Yearly 1 0 0.07 0.12 Yes Yes Numurkah Yearly 1 0 0.02 0.04 Yes Yes Picola Yearly 1 0 0.08 0.08 Yes Yes Pyalong Yearly 1 0 0.04 0.04 Yes Yes Rushworth Yearly 1 0 0.05 0.09 Yes Yes Seymour Yearly 1 0 0.01 0.07 Yes Yes Shepparton Yearly 1 0 0.06 0.04 Yes Yes Stanhope Yearly 1 0 0.03 0.04 Yes Yes Tatura Yearly 1 0 0.01 0.04 Yes Yes Tongala Yearly 1 0 0.01 0.04 Yes Yes Upper Delatite Yearly 1 0 0.02 0.04 Yes Yes Yea Yearly 1 0 0.03 0.04 Yes Yes
1 Kilmore WTP has 2 samples taken due to that fact that it sources its raw water from both Sunday Creek Reservoir and Hollowback Reservoir.
3.7.2 Actions in relation to non-compliance
During the 2016/17 reporting period all water sampling localities complied with the water quality standards, with the exception of disinfection by products at Nagambie and Colbinabbin.
3.8 Aesthetics
Physical parameters help to describe the appearance, taste and odour of drinking water. GVW regularly monitors each drinking water supply for pH, colour, conductivity, hardness, alkalinity and iron.
Page 73 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
PH is a measure of the water’s acidity or alkalinity. It is an important operational parameter, and has a significant effect on the efficiency of disinfection. To minimise the potential for corrosion of pipes or mineral scale formation, the guideline limits for pH are 6.5 to 8.5.
True colour is a measure of the intensity of the yellow hue that is naturally imparted into some surface waters. Dissolved organic matter, especially humic and fulvic acids, and dissolved inorganic matter, especially iron and manganese impart colour into water. Manganese can be problematic to treat as dissolved manganese even at low levels will react with chlorine and can lead to dirty water complaints due to the staining of laundry.
Electrical conductivity is proportional to the concentration of dissolved salts in the water. It is commonly used as a surrogate measure for total dissolved solids. The palatability of drinking water diminishes with increasing levels of dissolved salts.
Hardness generally indicates the level of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts in the water. It makes soap difficult to lather and can result in scaling (encrustation) in hot water services and plumbing. Modern dishwashers and other appliances often require settings based upon the hardness of the water. GVW’s water is generally soft with the exception of water sourced from Katunga bore and Pyalong.
Alkalinity is a measure of the buffering capacity of water with respect to pH change. Although there are no drinking water guidelines for alkalinity, it can be important for chemical treatment and industrial processes.
Iron occurs in naturally in waters from contact with soils and rock. Iron may also be present in drinking water supplies through contact with iron and steel pipes and fittings. Excessive iron in water may result in discolouration, an objectionable taste, the staining of laundry, and the staining of plumbing fixtures.
Page 74 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.8.1 Results Table 43: Aesthetic Related Parameters – pH in Drinking Water (Distribution)
Water Quality Parameter : pH
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should be between 6.5 and 8.5 pH Units (Tolerable upper level of 9.2)
Number of Samples that Minimum Maximum Met Aesthetic Sampling Number of Water Sampling Locality Did Not Meet Result (pH Result (pH Guideline Frequency Samples Aesthetic Units) Units) Value Guideline Drinking Water Alexandra Monthly 52 0 6.9 7.5 Yes Avenel Monthly 52 0 6.9 7.9 Yes Barmah Monthly 52 0 6.6 7.7 Yes Bonnie Doon Monthly 52 0 6.8 8.7 Yes Broadford Monthly 52 0 6.9 8.7 Yes Buxton Monthly 52 0 6.8 7.4 Yes Cobram Monthly 64 0 6.7 7.4 Yes Colbinabbin Monthly 52 0 7.0 8.8 Yes Dookie Monthly 52 0 6.7 7.4 Yes Eildon Monthly 52 5 7.1 9.4 No Euroa Monthly 52 0 6.8 7.5 Yes Girgarre Monthly 52 0 6.9 7.6 Yes Katamatite Monthly 52 0 6.5 8.9 Yes Katandra West Monthly 52 0 6.8 7.5 Yes Katunga Monthly 52 0 6.6 7.8 Yes Kilmore Monthly 64 0 6.8 7.3 Yes Kyabram Monthly 64 0 6.8 7.7 Yes Longwood Monthly 52 0 6.8 7.5 Yes Mansfield Monthly 52 0 6.7 7.6 Yes Marysville Monthly 52 0 6.7 7.5 Yes Merrigum Monthly 52 1 7.2 9.4 No Mooroopna Monthly 64 0 7.0 8.3 Yes Murchison Monthly 52 0 6.9 8.1 Yes Nagambie Monthly 52 0 6.7 7.6 Yes Nathalia Monthly 52 0 6.8 8.0 Yes Numurkah Monthly 52 0 6.9 8.0 Yes Picola Monthly 52 1 6.8 9.3 No Pyalong Monthly 52 0 7.2 8.8 Yes Rushworth Monthly 52 0 6.9 9.1 Yes Seymour High Level Monthly 52 0 6.7 7.7 Yes Seymour Low Level Monthly 64 0 6.8 7.7 Yes Shepparton Monthly 168 0 6.8 7.9 Yes Stanhope Monthly 52 0 6.7 7.6 Yes Strathmerton Monthly 52 0 6.9 7.8 Yes Tallarook Monthly 52 0 7.1 7.8 Yes Tallygaroopna Monthly 52 0 6.9 7.6 Yes Tatura Monthly 52 10 6.9 9.3 No Thornton Monthly 52 0 7.1 8.8 Yes Tongala Monthly 53 0 7.0 7.6 Yes Toolamba Monthly 52 0 7.0 7.6 Yes Trawool Monthly 52 0 7.1 9.9 No Upper Delatite Monthly 50 0 6.8 7.9 Yes Violet Town Monthly 52 0 6.8 7.2 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Monthly 52 0 6.8 7.8 Yes Waterford Park Monthly 52 0 6.9 7.3 Yes Wunghnu Monthly 52 0 6.9 8.3 Yes Yarraweyah Monthly 52 0 6.7 7.5 Yes Yea Monthly 52 0 6.9 9.2 Yes
Page 75 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 44: Aesthetic Related Parameters – pH in Drinking Water (Clear Water Storage)
Water Quality Parameter : pH
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should be between 6.5 and 8.5 pH Units (Tolerable upper level of 9.2)
Number of Samples not Minimum Maximum Compliant with Sampling Number of Average Result Water Sampling Locality meeting Result (pH Result (pH Aesthetic Frequency Samples (pH Units) Aesthetic Units) Units) Guideline Guideline Drinking Water Alexandra Weekly 104 0 6.78 6.96 7.16 Yes Avenel Weekly 103 0 6.78 7.08 7.38 Yes Barmah Weekly 102 5 6.36 6.86 7.91 No Bonnie Doon Weekly 209 0 6.70 7.06 7.80 Yes Broadford Weekly 104 0 6.68 6.93 7.29 Yes Buxton Weekly 105 0 6.72 7.13 7.52 Yes Cobram Weekly 154 0 6.60 6.90 7.25 Yes Colbinabbin Weekly 105 0 6.70 7.10 7.40 Yes Dookie Weekly 105 0 6.73 7.14 7.47 Yes Eildon Weekly 104 0 6.94 7.27 7.46 Yes Euroa Weekly 104 0 6.66 7.01 7.25 Yes Girgarre Weekly 156 0 6.70 7.13 7.44 Yes Katamatite Weekly 62 1 6.27 7.45 7.95 No Katandra West Weekly 102 0 6.70 7.05 7.40 Yes Katunga Weekly 100 0 6.65 6.92 7.60 Yes Kilmore Weekly 195 0 6.55 6.92 7.19 Yes Kyabram Weekly 208 0 6.53 7.05 7.68 Yes Longwood Weekly 208 0 6.70 7.04 7.40 Yes Mansfield Weekly 105 1 6.40 7.06 7.40 No Marysville Weekly 103 0 6.70 6.95 7.50 Yes Merrigum Weekly 104 0 6.69 7.31 8.54 Yes Mooroopna Weekly 118 0 6.63 7.04 7.45 Yes Murchison Weekly 104 0 6.62 7.08 7.71 Yes Nagambie Weekly 104 4 6.45 6.91 7.50 No Nathalia Weekly 101 0 6.60 6.90 7.30 Yes Numurkah Weekly 101 0 6.63 7.03 7.75 Yes Picola Weekly 93 0 6.62 7.05 8.00 Yes Pyalong Weekly 105 0 6.83 7.24 7.58 Yes Rushworth Weekly 104 0 6.80 7.13 7.60 Yes Seymour High Level Weekly 209 0 6.57 7.11 7.55 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 209 0 6.57 7.11 7.55 Yes Shepparton Weekly 317 0 6.60 7.04 7.70 Yes Stanhope Weekly 104 0 6.65 7.04 7.39 Yes Strathmerton Weekly 104 0 6.65 7.04 7.39 Yes Tallarook Weekly 102 0 6.61 7.37 7.67 Yes Tallygaroopna Weekly 102 0 6.61 7.37 7.67 Yes Tatura Weekly 104 0 6.50 7.09 7.53 Yes Thornton Weekly 104 0 6.91 7.10 7.30 Yes Tongala Weekly 153 0 6.74 7.09 7.40 Yes Toolamba Weekly 94 0 7.01 7.28 7.54 Yes Trawool Weekly 94 0 7.01 7.28 7.54 Yes Upper Delatite Weekly 94 0 7.01 7.28 7.54 Yes Violet Town Weekly 102 0 6.62 6.84 7.15 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Weekly 105 1 6.33 6.96 7.21 No Waterford Park Weekly 105 0 6.54 7.03 7.37 Yes Wunghnu Weekly 105 0 6.54 7.03 7.37 Yes Yarraweyah Weekly 105 0 6.54 7.03 7.37 Yes Yea Weekly 104 0 6.68 6.95 7.30 Yes
Page 76 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 45: Aesthetic related parameters – True colour in Drinking Water Water Quality Parameter : True Colour
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 15 Hazen Units (HU).
Number of Samples that Met Aesthetic Sampling Number of Maximum Water Sampling Locality Did Not Meet Guideline Frequency Samples Result (HU) Aesthetic Value Guideline Drinking Water
Alexandra Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Avenel Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Barmah Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Bonnie Doon Weekly 42 0 7 Yes Broadford Weekly 42 1 78 No Buxton Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Cobram Weekly 51 0 <5 Yes Colbinabbin Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Dookie Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Eildon Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Euroa Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Girgarre Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Katamatite Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Katandra West Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Katunga Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Kilmore Weekly 51 0 6 Yes Kyabram Weekly 51 0 <5 Yes Longwood Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Mansfield Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Marysville Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Merrigum Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Mooroopna Weekly 51 0 <5 Yes Murchison Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Nagambie Weekly 42 0 9 Yes Nathalia Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Numurkah Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Picola Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Pyalong Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Rushworth Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Seymour High Level Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 51 0 <5 Yes Shepparton Weekly 129 0 <5 Yes Stanhope Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Strathmerton Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Tallarook Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Tallygaroopna Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Tatura Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Thornton Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Tongala Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Toolamba Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Trawool Weekly 42 0 10 Yes Upper Delatite Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Violet Town Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Waterford Park Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Wunghnu Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Yarraweyah Weekly 42 0 <5 Yes Yea Weekly 42 0 6 Yes
Due to population sizes, Cobram, Kilmore , Kyabram, Mooroopna, and Seymour (Low Level) have an extra sample taken per month. Shepparton has three samples taken per week due to its population size. From the 1st April 2017, frequency of true colour monitoring in the reticulation system has been reduced to once a month
Page 77 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 46: Aesthetic related parameters – Electrical conductivity in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Electrical Conductivity (EC)
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : No specific limit for EC. Based on taste, total dissolved solids (TDS) in drinking water should not exceed 500 mg/L. The equivalent EC figure in μS/cm can be roughly determined by doubling the TDS limit.
Maximum Result Water Sampling Locality Sampling Frequency Number of Samples (µS/cm) Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 120 Avenel Quarterly 4 260 Barmah Quarterly 4 190 Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 210 Broadford Quarterly 4 150 Buxton Quarterly 4 250 Cobram Quarterly 4 88 Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 180 Dookie Quarterly 4 120 Eildon Quarterly 4 150 Euroa Quarterly 4 270 Girgarre Quarterly 4 150 Katamatite Quarterly 4 140 Katandra West Quarterly 4 94 Katunga Monthly 22 1200 Kilmore Quarterly 4 150 Kyabram Quarterly 4 150 Longwood Quarterly 4 530 Mansfield Quarterly 4 150 Marysville Quarterly 4 44 Merrigum Quarterly 4 180 Mooroopna Quarterly 4 260 Murchison Quarterly 4 290 Nagambie Quarterly 4 150 Nathalia Quarterly 4 230 Numurkah Quarterly 4 190 Picola Quarterly 4 280 Pyalong Monthly 22 1200 Rushworth Quarterly 4 140 Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 250 Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 220 Shepparton Quarterly 4 290 Stanhope Quarterly 4 170 Strathmerton Quarterly 4 92 Tallarook Quarterly 4 260 Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 780 Tatura Quarterly 4 240 Thornton Quarterly 4 150 Tongala Quarterly 4 160 Toolamba Quarterly 4 260 Trawool Quarterly 4 230 Upper Delatite Quarterly 16 58 Violet Town Quarterly 4 270 Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 170 Waterford Park Quarterly 4 160 Wunghnu Quarterly 3 130 Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 86 Yea Quarterly 4 310
From the 1st April 2017, EC monitoring at Katunga and Pyalong is increased to weekly due to historical high levels in EC. In addition, weekly monitoring at Upper Delatite because of risk of artificial salt from snow melt
Page 78 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 47: Aesthetic related parameters – Hardness in Drinking Water Water Quality Parameter : Hardness, total
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 200 mg/L as CaCO3.
Number of Samples that Sampling Number of Maximum Met Aesthetic Water Sampling Locality Did Not Meet Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Guideline Value Aesthetic Guideline Drinking Water
Alexandra Quarterly 4 0 14 Yes Avenel Quarterly 4 0 23 Yes Barmah Quarterly 4 0 21 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 0 39 Yes Broadford Quarterly 4 0 24 Yes Buxton Quarterly 4 0 7 Yes Cobram Quarterly 4 0 23 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 0 29 Yes Dookie Quarterly 4 0 21 Yes Eildon Quarterly 4 0 16 Yes Euroa Quarterly 4 0 20 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 4 0 27 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 4 0 28 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 4 0 19 Yes Katunga Quarterly 6 0 200 No Kilmore Quarterly 4 0 15 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 4 0 40 Yes Longwood Quarterly 4 0 23 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 4 0 24 Yes Marysville Quarterly 4 0 7 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 4 0 42 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 4 0 58 Yes Murchison Quarterly 4 0 28 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 4 0 28 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 4 0 51 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 4 0 25 Yes Picola Quarterly 4 0 67 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 6 0 180 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 4 0 140 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 0 23 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 0 18 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 4 0 86 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 4 0 32 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 4 0 24 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 4 0 22 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 0 88 Yes Tatura Quarterly 4 0 66 Yes Thornton Quarterly 4 0 19 Yes Tongala Quarterly 4 0 34 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 4 0 85 Yes Trawool Quarterly 4 0 19 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 0 10 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 4 0 18 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 0 15 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 4 0 25 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 3 0 23 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 0 22 Yes Yea Quarterly 4 0 43 Yes
Page 79 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 48: Aesthetic related parameters – Alkalinity in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Alkalinity, total
Units expressed in mg/L as CaCO3
Minimum Result Maximum Result Water Sampling Locality Sampling Frequency Number of Samples (mg/L) (mg/L)
Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 4 14 24 Avenel Quarterly 4 14 41 Barmah Quarterly 4 21 31 Bonnie Doon Quarterly 4 33 44 Broadford Quarterly 4 10 12 Buxton Quarterly 4 7 13 Cobram Quarterly 4 13 17 Colbinabbin Quarterly 4 20 51 Dookie Quarterly 4 9 32 Eildon Quarterly 4 15 29 Euroa Quarterly 4 12 22 Girgarre Quarterly 4 23 29 Katamatite Quarterly 4 9 68 Katandra West Quarterly 4 18 27 Katunga Quarterly 4 80 88 Kilmore Quarterly 4 11 21 Kyabram Quarterly 4 13 26 Longwood Quarterly 4 22 80 Mansfield Quarterly 4 22 59 Marysville Quarterly 4 6 13 Merrigum Quarterly 4 18 33 Mooroopna Quarterly 4 15 40 Murchison Quarterly 4 16 40 Nagambie Quarterly 4 22 25 Nathalia Quarterly 4 31 63 Numurkah Quarterly 4 23 40 Picola Quarterly 4 34 75 Pyalong Quarterly 4 59 82 Rushworth Quarterly 4 16 27 Seymour High Level Quarterly 4 16 39 Seymour Low Level Quarterly 4 13 39 Shepparton Quarterly 4 13 24 Stanhope Quarterly 4 15 30 Strathmerton Quarterly 4 14 18 Tallarook Quarterly 4 16 38 Tallygaroopna Quarterly 4 14 22 Tatura Quarterly 4 12 41 Thornton Quarterly 4 21 30 Tongala Quarterly 4 16 26 Toolamba Quarterly 4 14 23 Trawool Quarterly 4 16 45 Upper Delatite Quarterly 4 14 19 Violet Town Quarterly 4 10 21 Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 4 8 17 Waterford Park Quarterly 4 8 14 Wunghnu Quarterly 3 25 36 Yarraweyah Quarterly 4 14 16 Yea Quarterly 4 18 47
Page 80 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 49: Aesthetic related parameters – Iron in Drinking Water
Water Quality Parameter : Iron, total (Pre 1st April 2017)
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 0.3 mg/L.
Number of Samples that Sampling Number of Maximum Met Aesthetic Water Sampling Locality Did Not Meet Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Guideline Value Aesthetic Guideline Drinking Water
Alexandra Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes Avenel Quarterly 3 0 0.05 Yes Barmah Quarterly 7 0 0.02 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 3 1 0.31 No Broadford Quarterly 3 1 0.52 No Buxton Quarterly 3 0 0.09 Yes Cobram Quarterly 3 0 0.01 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes Dookie Quarterly 3 0 0.02 Yes Eildon Quarterly 3 0 0.08 Yes Euroa Quarterly 3 0 0.02 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 3 0 0.05 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 3 0 0.06 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 3 0 0.01 Yes Katunga Monthly 9 0 0.12 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 3 0 0.05 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 3 0 0.02 Yes Longwood Quarterly 3 0 0.04 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 3 0 0.15 Yes Marysville Quarterly 3 0 0.05 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes Mooroopna Quarterly 2 0 0.04 Yes Murchison Quarterly 3 0 0.04 Yes Nagambie Quarterly 3 0 0.04 Yes Nathalia Quarterly 3 0 0.02 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 3 0 0.01 Yes Picola Quarterly 3 0 0.02 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 3 0 0.05 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 3 0 0.07 Yes Seymour High Level Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes Seymour Low Level Quarterly 3 0 0.04 Yes Shepparton Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 3 0 0.01 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 3 0 0.01 Yes Tallarook Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes Tallygaroopna Quarterly 3 0 0.06 Yes Tatura Quarterly 3 0 0.02 Yes Thornton Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes Tongala Quarterly 3 0 0.05 Yes Toolamba Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes Trawool Quarterly 3 0 0.20 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 3 0 0.01 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 3 0 0.10 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 3 0 0.02 Yes Waterford Park Quarterly 3 0 0.04 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 2 0 0.02 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 3 0 0.01 Yes Yea Quarterly 3 0 0.03 Yes
Page 81 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Water Quality Parameter : Iron, total (Post 1st April 2017)
ADWG Aesthetic Guideline : Should not exceed 0.3 mg/L.
Number of Samples that Sampling Number of Maximum Met Aesthetic Water Sampling Locality Did Not Meet Frequency Samples Result (mg/L) Guideline Value Aesthetic Guideline Drinking Water Alexandra Quarterly 1 0 0.02 Yes Avenel Weekly 10 0 0.03 Yes Barmah Weekly 10 0 0.02 Yes Bonnie Doon Quarterly 1 0 0.02 Yes Broadford Weekly 10 0 0.02 Yes Buxton Quarterly 1 0 0.03 Yes Cobram Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Colbinabbin Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Dookie Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Eildon Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Euroa Quarterly 1 0 0.02 Yes Girgarre Quarterly 1 0 0.08 Yes Katamatite Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Katandra West Quarterly 1 0 <0.005 Yes Katunga Monthly 1 0 0.01 Yes Kilmore Quarterly 1 0 0.03 Yes Kyabram Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Longwood Weekly 10 0 0.10 Yes Mansfield Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Marysville Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Merrigum Quarterly 1 0 0.04 Yes Mooroopna Weekly 10 0 0.04 Yes Murchison Weekly 10 0 0.02 Yes Nagambie Weekly 10 0 0.12 Yes Nathalia Weekly 10 0 0.02 Yes Numurkah Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Picola Weekly 10 0 0.03 Yes Pyalong Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Rushworth Quarterly 1 0 0.02 Yes Seymour High Level Weekly 10 0 0.05 Yes Seymour Low Level Weekly 10 0 0.02 Yes Shepparton Weekly 10 0 0.05 Yes Stanhope Quarterly 1 0 0.03 Yes Strathmerton Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Tallarook Weekly 10 0 0.06 Yes Tallygaroopna Weekly 10 0 0.07 Yes Tatura Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Thornton Quarterly 1 0 0.02 Yes Tongala Quarterly 1 0 0.02 Yes Toolamba Weekly 11 0 0.02 Yes Trawool Weekly 10 0 0.29 Yes Upper Delatite Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Violet Town Quarterly 1 0 0.05 Yes Wandong - Heathcote Jn Quarterly 1 0 0.02 Yes Waterford Park Weekly 10 0 0.05 Yes Wunghnu Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Yarraweyah Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes Yea Quarterly 1 0 0.01 Yes
From the 1st April 2017, monthly monitoring at high risk sites - Longwood, Nagambie, Shepparton, Murchison, Seymour, Picola, Barmah, Broadford, Nathalia, Mansfield based on current understanding of supply system. Weekly monitoring in spring and autumn (during natural turnover period) at high risk sites (march to May, September to November)
Page 82 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.8.2 Actions in relation to Aesthetic Issues
The majority of drinking water sampling localities met the aesthetic guideline values. The following is a summary of cause and actions for aesthetic issues:
pH: 17 out of 2671 samples taken for pH readings were not within the ADWG tolerable upper limit of 9.2. These samples were applicable to Eildon, Merrigum, Picola, Tatura and Trawool. The majority of samples were marginally outside the ADWG aesthetic-related guideline value, with elevated pH levels caused by water being in contact with cement lined pipes and old cast iron mains for extended periods of time or sampling error. Common corrective actions included flushing of system and dosing pump adjustment / replacement. There were a total of 2 missing results at Upper Delatite. This was caused by failure of the water sampler inputting field results into the database.
True colour: All water sampling localities results with the exception of Broadford were within the ADWG aesthetic-related guideline value. The main was scoured in Broadford in response to the high colour detection.
Electrical conductivity: All water sampling localities have very low total dissolved solids (TDS) / electrical conductivity (EC) with the exception of Katunga and Pyalong. This is consistent with their source water (groundwater and mineral springs respectively) characteristics which have greater levels of TDS.
Hardness: All water sampling localities have very low hardness with the exception of Katunga and Pyalong which are outside of the ADWG aesthetic-related guideline value. This is consistent with their source water (groundwater and mineral springs respectively) characteristics which have greater levels of hardness than surface water supplies.
Iron: All water sampling localities results, with the exception of Bonnie Doon and Broadford were within the ADWG aesthetic-related guideline value. This source of iron in Bonnie Doon was found to be leaching from a pipe used at the water treatment plant. A temporary bypass was installed as a corrective action. The source of iron at Broadford is likely to be from the source water.
Page 83 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.8.3 Missed Samples from Water Quality Monitoring Program
The table below summarises a number of missed samples/analysis in the water quality monitoring program, the root cause(s) and corrective actions taken to prevent reoccurrence of issue. A letter was sent to the DHHS of the 4th May 2017 to notify them of the missed sampling.
LOCALITY DATE MISSED PARAMETERS CAUSE OF MISSED SAMPLES CORRECTIVE ACTION
3/4/2017 Chlorine, Free, Turbidity, Iron, Standard Plate Toolamba Tower 10/4/2017/ Omitted from task allocation Task allocated and scheduled Count, 37°C, Coliforms, Fluoride, E.coli, Outlet 17/4/2017 in Schedule (Not scheduled) in program from the day the Manganese. 24/4/2017 missing samples were detected
Zinc, Mercury, Cyanide, Boron, Silver, Omitted from Program. The Computing company has Molybdenum, Cadmium, Aluminium, Alkalinity, worked with GVW to develop a Nickel, Hardness via Calculation, Sulphate, Mooroopna Locality Q1 2017 robust tool to check all required Selenium, Copper, Chloride, Uranium, Tin, Lead, samples are scheduled against Chromium, Beryllium, Barium, Arsenic, Electrical the monitoring plan. As well as Conductivity routine manual assessment.
Laboratory failed to distribute Worked closely with the Zinc, Mercury, Cyanide, Boron, Silver, scheduled sample bottles. Laboratory to improve Molybdenum, Cadmium, Aluminium, Alkalinity, scheduling arrangements. All Nickel, Hardness via Calculation, Sulphate, Wunghnu Locality Q4 2017 quarterlies are now scheduled Selenium, Copper, Chloride, Uranium, Tin, Lead, for the same months to improve Chromium, Beryllium, Barium, Arsenic, Electrical the ability to check results. Conductivity, Iron, Manganese Report from Advanced Computing is assisting.
*For the missed quarterly samples for Mooroopna and Wunghnu we rescheduled for May 2017.
Page 84 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
3.9 Analysis of Results
3.9.1 Water Quality Standards
Table 50: Summary of Compliance with Water Quality Standards - Schedule 2 (SDWR 2015)
2016/2017 2015/2016 2014/2015 Water Quality Standard (2015 % of Population Localities Non-Complying Zones % of Population Localities Non-Complying Zones % of Population Localities Non-Complying Zones Parameter Regulations) Compliant Compliant (No. of exceedances) Compliant Compliant (No. of exceedances) Compliant Compliant (No. of exceedances) <1 per 100mL in E.coli 100.0% 48/48 100.0% 48/48 - 99.8% 47/48 Longwood (1) 100% of samples Trihalomethanes 0.25 mg/L 98.4% 47/48 Nagambie (1) 99.7% 47/48 Pyalong (1) 100.0% 48/48 -
95% percentile in 12 Turbidity month period does 100.0% 48/48 100.0% 48/48 - 100.0% 48/48 - not exceed 5NTU
3.9.1.1 ANALYSIS OF RESULTS FOR E.COLI AND COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEARS
All water sampling localities met the E.coli standard for the last 3 reporting periods with the exception of Longwood in the 2014/15 reporting period.
3.9.1.2 ANALYSIS OF RESULTS FOR TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANES AND COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEARS
Disinfection by-products may arise from the chlorination of water that contains naturally occurring organic material (NOM). Comparison of the results against compliance with water quality standards for total trihalomethanes is provided in Section 3 of this report. Actions in relation to non-compliance are provided in Section 3.2.2 of this report. Further analysis is provided as follows:
Trihalomethanes
GVW regularly meets the THM water quality standard across all water sampling localities. In the last three reporting periods there have only been two THM exceedances, one at Pyalong during 2015/6 and one sample collected at Nagambie during this 2016/17 reporting period. Control of disinfection by product at Nagambie improved due to implementation of the DAFF unit process which offers better organics removal. Trim dosing of chlorine at Pyalong may have also improved the control of DBP formation at Pyalong.
3.9.1.3 ANALYSIS OF RESULTS FOR TURBIDITY AND COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEARS
Comparison of the results against compliance with water quality standards for turbidity is provided in Section 3 of this report. Further analysis is provided as follows:
All water sampling localities met the turbidity standard for the last 3 reporting periods
Due to proactive preventative maintenance program in the Distribution system and implementation of innovative mains cleanliness monitoring and cleaning technology, GVW has been able to produce an excellent turbidity record over several years.
3.9.1.4 ANALYSIS OF RESULTS FOR OTHER HEALTH RELATED PARAMETERS
Comparison of the results against compliance with water quality standards for health related parameters is provided in Section 3 of this report. All of the parameters tested met the water quality standards for the reporting period.
Page 85 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Chloroacetic acid, Dichloroacetic acid, Trichloroacetic acid, Chloral hydrate:
During 2016/17 reporting period, Nagambie and Colbinabbin did not meet the water quality standard for trichloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid, chloral hydrate respectively. This was due to poor source water quality events that occurred during the 2016/17 reporting period. All other water localities met the water quality standards for disinfection by- products.
During 2014/15 and 2015/16 reporting periods all 48 drinking water sampling localities met the chloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid water quality standards.
Page 86 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
4 EMERGENCY AND INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
When the water fails to meet standards to such a degree that it may present a health risk, a Section 22 notification must also be lodged. Section 22 requires water agencies to immediately report to DHHS any incident or situation relating to a drinking water supply that may pose a risk to human health or cause widespread public complaint. All E. coli detections in drinking water require an immediate Section 22 notification.
GVW’s risk management and quality management systems serve to minimise the occurrence of serious incidents, and incorporate continuous improvement strategies to reduce the risk to drinking water. As the definition relates to ‘may pose a risk or cause widespread public complaint’ not all incidents reported are as a result of a verified incident but could relate to a significant change to normal operating conditions.
When incidents do occur, GVW’s monitoring programs are designed to identify problems as soon as possible, avoiding or minimising adverse impacts to customers. The Corporation’s SCADA system enables remote continuous monitoring of critical water quality parameters for all of GVW’s water treatment facilities. GVW has implemented automated water treatment plant shutdowns when critical limits are reached to prevent supply of potentially unsafe drinking water to customers. The water treatment plants can also be shut-down remotely by Operational staff, as soon as a potential problem is identified to prevent the supply of potentially unsafe water, until an operator can attend the site and the issue is addressed. GVW also has well-documented procedures for managing water quality incidents, including response plans, contingency plans and internal escalation protocols. Importantly, our Corporate Emergency Management Plan is integrated with plans from external agencies and links to the Emergency Management Act 1986 and Emergency Management Manual Victoria. Plans are regularly tested through field and desktop exercises.
4.1 Known or Suspected Contamination
Five water quality incidents were reported to the Department of Health & Human Services under Section 22 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 during the 2016/17 reporting period. These are an advisory notification that there may be a potential issue relating to water quality.
4.1.1 Section 22s
4.1.1.1 AVENEL CHLORINE OVERDOSE
Date: 13/08/2016
Estimated duration of incident: 2 days (13 - 14th August 2016)
Drinking water supplies potentially effected: Avenel Locality
Location of Incident: Avenel re-chlorination plant
Nature of Incident: Drinking water with chlorine levels above the water quality standard of 5.0mg/L was supplied to the Avenel Township for approximately 25 hours. The cause of the chlorine overdose was identified to be the dosing pump left in a manual mode following a dose rate adjustment in response to an extreme rainfall event and increased
Page 87 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17 chlorine demand. Although identified by the CSC and raised with the on-call operator, the alarm was monitored remotely due to a miscommunication rather than attending to site.
Action taken in response: The duty operator arrived on site and verified high chlorine reading at 7.2mg/L. The sodium hypochlorite dosing pump was turned off and the on-site clear water storage drained. Avenel Distribution system was flushed following verification of chlorine levels above 5mg/L. Chlorine readings post flushing which was undertaken to replace water with elevated chlorine was <2mg/L. Investigation into the chlorine overdose was undertaken where it was identified that the dosing pump was left in a manual mode following a dose rate adjustment in response to an extreme rainfall event.
SCADA alarms were identified by the CSC and raised with the on-call operator, however the alarm was monitored remotely and physical attendance not actioned earlier due to a miscommunication between operators which led to the overdose event. In addition, the online chlorine analyser did not trigger an alarm due to instrument spanning error which has also caused misinterpretation of plant performance.
GVW has identified multiple corrective actions to prevent recurrence of incident which includes retraining of staff to respond to critical alarms, review of existing alarms to reduce the number of nuisance alarms, and optimisation of the chlorine dosing control system. Furthermore, GVW conducted an audit on all online instruments across GVW systems to better understand spanning limits of instruments being used. In addition to this GVW has recently implemented SCADA phone, an alarm dialler package that sends critical alarms directly to the on-call Operator as well as enabling escalation if required.
Significant asset improvement including additional analysers, flow meters and dosing arrangements are occurring.
DHHS notification: The department was verbally advised of the chlorine overdose on 15/08/2016 and a section 22 report was sent to the Department of Health and Human Services on the same day.
4.1.1.2 BARMAH E.COLI DETECTION (FALSE POSITIVE)
Date: 22/11/2016
Estimated duration of incident: 1 day
Location of Incident: Barmah WTP
Drinking water supplies potentially effected: Barmah Locality
Nature of Incident: E.coli detection of 1MPN/100ml from a sample collected from the WTP laboratory tap with water from the Barmah Clear Water Storage tank.
Action taken in response: Upon notification of the E.coli, GVW initiated an investigation to determine the source of the E.coli. As part of the investigation, GVW personnel inspected the Barmah WTP clear water storages and the laboratory sampling tap. Both clear water storage hatches were intact with no sign of ingress. Treatment plant performance in the period prior to the detection was reviewed and was deemed to be working within acceptable limits and had not had any issues.
Page 88 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Barmah WTP CWS outlet and all registered sampling sites in the Barmah Distribution system were resampled and analysed for E.coli, coliforms, standard plate counts and free chlorine. There were no E.coli or coliforms detected in any of the resamples. The source of the E.coli could not be determined and the investigation concluded that the E.coli detection was a false positive.
DHHS Notification: The department was verbally advised of the E.coli detection on 23/11/2016 and a section 22 was report was sent to the Department of Health and Human Services on the same day.
4.1.1.3 SHEPPARTON BLACKWATER (TASTE & ODOUR) EVENT
Date: 30/12/2016
Estimated duration of incident: 30/12/2016 to 5/01/2017
Location of Incident: Shepparton (Goulburn River)
Drinking water supplies potentially effected: Shepparton, Tallygaroopna, Congupna, Mooroopna and Toolamba townships
Nature of Incident: There was a low dissolved oxygen (black water) event in the Goulburn River which impacted on the ability of the treatment plant to remove colour, taste and odour compounds from the source water. This resulted in GVW receiving public complaints about the aesthetics quality of the drinking water in Shepparton and Mooroopna. GVW received a total of 20 complaints over a three day period (from the 1 - 3rd January 2017). During the event the Shepparton WTP produced water within all process limits at all times and the water remained safe to drink. The taste and odour was additionally altered due to the changes in chemical dosing at the WTP to continue to meet water quality standards.
The black water event occurred due to decaying organic matter (leaves, sticks , vegetation etc) entering into the Pranjip, Castle, Seven Creeks, and the Broken River catchment areas and subsequently into the Goulburn River. The concentrated black water resulted in significantly reduced dissolved oxygen levels within the receiving waters causing wide spread, numerous fish kills. During December increased rainfall and subsequent flash flooding resulted in a mass release of the stagnant water and organic material from the tributaries into the Goulburn River following. On the 29th December 2016 the raw water quality in the Goulburn river deteriorated significantly.
Action taken in response: Shepparton treatment plant processes were optimised by increasing the coagulant dose rates in response to elevated organic levels in the source water. There were 24 hour monitoring and site attendance due to the need to derate the plant flow to achieve the extreme dosage required to optimise the organics removal and in addition to this the chlorine dose was increased due to increasing chlorine demand because of residual organic material that was unable to be removed through normal chemical processes. Furthermore, GVW worked with Goulburn Murray Water and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority to increase flows down the Goulburn River to improve the water quality in the river. A series of media releases from GVW and catchment management authority occurred notifying of status as a result of low Dissolved Oxygen and extensive fish kills. The plant continued to perform in accordance with process limits and expectations during the course of the event.
Page 89 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
GVW communication with customers: Media releases and social media notifications to inform customers of the issues. A number of plant tours were held at the WTP following the event to inform the public of drinking water production.
DHHS notification: The department was verbally advised on 2/01/2017 of public complaints and a section 22 report was sent to the Department of Health and Human Services on 3/01/2017.
Crayfish escaping the blackwater due to the lack of Dissolved Oxygen in the water
4.1.1.4 KATAMATITE E.COLI DETECTION (FALSE POSITIVE)
Date: 23/03/2017
Estimated duration of incident: 1 day
Location of Incident: Katamatite WTP
Drinking water supplies potentially effected: Katamatite Locality
Nature of Incident: E.coli detection of 1MPN/100ml at Katamatite Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Tower outlet.
Action taken in response: GVW personnel attended Katamatite WTP to verify the tower integrity. Plant performance leading up the detection was assessed and was determined to be working within acceptable limits. There was a free chlorine residual of 0.86mg/l in the sample with E.coli detection and 0.29mg/l free chlorine in the sample taken from the
Page 90 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Distribution location. No E.coli was detected in the Distribution sample. The Sampler reported it was raining at the time of sampling. Resampling was conducted in the Katamatite system (at the plant and Distribution network) for E.coli and chlorine residual. The results showed no E.coli detections at any of the sites. The investigation concluded the E.coli detection was a false positive. GVW continues improve our sample verification and improvements to the chain of custody process have been made to ensure the sample is representative of the water supplied.
DHHS Notification: The department was verbally advised of the E.coli detection on 23/03/2017 and a section 22 report was sent to the Department of Health and Human Services on the same day.
4.1.1.5 TATURA E.COLI DETECTIONS (FALSE POSITIVE)
Date: 30th May 2017
Estimated duration of incident: 30th May to 2nd June 2017
Location of Incident: Tatura.
Drinking water supplies potentially effected: Tatura locality
Nature of incident: E.coli was detected in water samples collected at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Clear Water Storage (CWS) 1 Outlet and at a regulatory Distribution sample point, as part of the weekly routine monitoring from samples collected on 30 May 2017. The presence of E.coli in drinking water indicates possible faecal contamination. E.coli 5 MPN/100mL was detected at the Tatura Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Clear Water Storage (CWS) 1 Outlet and 3 MPN/100mL at a regulatory Distribution sample point. The laboratory notified Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) of the E.coli results on the 31 May 2017.
Upon notification the lab was asked to retest the original samples and arrangements made to resample all sample locality sites within the Tatura system prior to undertaking any remedial works.
Action taken in response:
Following the verbal notification from the laboratory, GVW commenced an investigation to determine the source of the E.coli. Staff attended the water treatment plant to conduct site inspections to assess operational performance and the integrity of the clear water storage at the Tatura WTP. As there were no initial obvious root cause for the E.coli detections it was decided, in consultation with the department, to issue a boil water advisory as a precautionary measure on 31 May 2017, while further investigations were undertaken.
Professional divers were engaged to internally inspect the tanks. The tanks were checked for light penetration and the roof of each storage tank flooded with water to test for water ingress to ensure the integrity of the storages was secure. There were no observable signs of ingress from both tests.
Investigation into the treatment plant performance and disinfection process prior to and post 30 May when samples were collected, showed no impairment of disinfection efficacy at the treatment plant within the relevant timeframe.
Page 91 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Resampling of the storages and Distribution sample points prior to any remedial works was undertaken and the results were all clear of E.coli and coliforms. GVW increased chlorine residuals from about 0.7 ppm to about 1.2 ppm into the Distribution system as a precautionary measure. Operations and Maintenance staff undertook flushing in the town until increased chlorine residuals were achieved to verify drawing of higher chlorinated water through the Tatura Distribution system. Sampling was undertaken post flushing in the Distribution and from the storage tanks. All samples collected were free of E.coli and coliforms. Additional testing with Adenosine Triphosphate (cATP) test kit (this is an immediate indicator test for biological activity in the water) indicated no concern with respect to microbiological levels or breakthrough at the treatment plant.
An alternate drinking water supply was supplied with a water tanker to Major Customers upon request. Bottled water was supplied to vulnerable and critical customers and an area was set up where the general public could collect bottled water during the period the boil water advisory was in place. Detailed debriefs occurred and the subsequent feedback from all concerned was that the incident was well managed.
Communication with customers: GVW verbally notified all of their critical and major customers of the boil water advisory. . The main street in Tatura was doorknocked by GVW staff. All customers who have their mobile numbers registered with GVW were sent an SMS to advise of the boil water advisory. Further information and updates were given via social media and through media releases with local news outlets including the Shepparton News and ABC local radio.
When all sample results were free of E.coli, and it was confirmed that there were no issues with the treatment process, water storage tanks, Distribution system and that the drinking water being supplied was safe, the boil water advisory was withdrawn in consultation with the department.
The investigation into the event could not identify the source of the E.coli and concluded that the initial sample results were not representative of the water being supplied at the time and were deemed to be false positives.
A number of plant tours were held at the WTP following the event to inform the public of drinking water production.
DHHS notification: The department was notified verbally of the incident on 31st May 2017 and a Section 22 report was sent to the Department of Health and Human Services on the same day.
4.2 Blue Green Algae Response
Date: November 2016 to January 2017 (Picola and Numurkah). February to July 2017 (in the Central Goulburn Irrigation District including Corop, Colbinabbin, Girgarre, Kyabram, Rushworth, Goulburn Weir, Kirwans Bridge, Stanhope and Tatura). March 2017 to July 2017 (Katandra West and Dookie). Bonnie Doon (raw water storage isolated and operated directly off the lake supply)
Estimated duration of incident: Approximately three months at Picola and Numurkah; 6 months in the Central Goulburn Irrigation District, Katandra West and Dookie (East Goulburn Main).
Page 92 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Location of Incident: Localities impacted included Picola, Numurkah, Colbinabbin, Corop, Girgarre, Kyabram, Rushworth, Stanhope, Tongala, Tatura, Katandra West and Dookie.
Picola Raw Water Storages February 2016 - Water was tankered to the town during the extent of the event.
BGA net sampling at Numurkah channel offtake.
Page 93 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Nature of Incidents:
Multiple localities were impacted by blooms of the listed toxigenic species Chrysosporum Ovalisporum. The origin of the cyanobacteria blooms is likely to be the raw water storages (including Waranga Basin) due to the earlier blooms in 2016 and the species having akinetes, cells that lie dormant until conditions are conducive for growth.
DNA and toxin analysis indicated that there was negligible risk of the release of toxins that may lead to health concerns (absence of Pks gene cluster). However as a precautionary measure extensive pre-treatment, carbon dosing and extra ongoing monitoring was undertaken for all of the drinking water supplies in order to prevent any taste and odour impacts on the customers. Cell counts decreased significantly following the pre-treatment and were monitored till the risk abated.
The Corporation consulted with the DHHS and issued a Blue-Green Algae advisory for the regulated supply at Corop, with water being tankered until analysis confirmed that the corrective actions had removed the risk of primary contact.
Drinking water supplies potentially impacted: Picola, Numurkah, Colbinabbin, Girgarre, Kyabram, Rushworth, Stanhope, Tatura, Tongala, Katandra West and Dookie localities.
Regulated supplies impacted: Corop, Goulburn Weir and Kirwans Bridge. The potential risk to these supplies was primary contact and not drinking water risk as not drinking water supplies. The risk at Goulburn Weir and Kirwans Bridge was monitored and the BGA levels did not exceed levels where primary contact was considered to be an issue.
Summary of Actions taken in response: The following actions were taken in response to the incidents:
Alternative raw water source implemented at Bonnie Doon. Blue-Green Algae advisory issued to customers at Corop (regulated supply). Alternative supply to Corop via tankering provided for several days until corrective actions were implemented. Extensive pre-treatment, carbon dosing and extra monitoring before and after treatment was required at all sites. Toxicity testing & DNA analysis undertaken to quantify risk. Zero toxins were detected and the DNA analysis indicated that the strain present did not have the gene capable of producing the toxic compound. Several sites continue to have high levels and monitoring is ongoing with low detections of the species still present at other sites.
Communication with customers: Throughout the incident GVW kept customers informed of the status of the water supply through social media and local media releases. A blue green algae advisory was given to residents of Corop.
DHHS notification: GVW advised DHHS of BGA in the source water of drinking water supplies when BGA concentrations were at required reporting levels. GVW continued to liaise with DHHS, the Regional BGA Coordinator Goulburn Murray Water and other downstream Water Agencies throughout the BGA blooms.
Page 94 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
For the duration of the incident the cell counts and potential toxins associated with the blooms were monitored in an ongoing basis. Where GVW BGA risk management response limits were triggered, appropriate actions were undertaken to ensure the water remained safe to drink for the duration of the event. Some of these actions included the installation of additional process units for cell removal or tankering to affected towns.
Page 95 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
5 COMPLAINTS RELATING TO WATER QUALITY
GVW’s commitment to customer service and excellence in water quality includes a structured and documented customer complaints management system. Customer water quality complaints are managed through a visible and robust process. The key attributes of the management process are:
Customers can report water quality issues in a number of ways:
On our 24-hour/7 day Customer Service Centre free call number, 1800 454 500.
Via the customer feedback service on our website, www.gvwater.vic.gov.au.
Directly to our staff at any of our offices or operational centres.
All customer complaints are recorded which enables their status to be tracked and wide-spread issues to be identified and resolved quickly and efficiently.
GVW aims to ensure that all customer complaints are dealt with promptly. Our target is to respond to verbal complaints within two working days with most dealt with on the same day.
GVW also responds promptly to written inquiries. Where possible, we make contact with the customer to discuss the water quality complaint during our investigations and follow-up to advise the customer of our actions and to monitor satisfaction levels.
Remedial actions are carried out, where appropriate, to minimise or remove the causes of complaints where service levels do not meet the GVW Customer Charter.
A summary of customer complaints is reviewed by the Board of GVW each month as a means of improving our customer service performance.
Every year, GVW commissions an independent firm of market research consultants to conduct a customer satisfaction survey that includes water quality issues. In addition, feedback forms are available for customers to express their views. Data collected are recorded and analysed.
Table 50 summarises the water quality complaints received in 2016/17, and for the previous three years.
Table 51: Complaints Relating to Water Quality
Number of Number of complaints per 100 Number of complaints per 100 Type of Complaint complaints customer supplied for 2016/2017 customer supplied for 2015/2016 Discoloured water 118 0.19 0.20 Taste/odour 62 0.10 0.09 Air in water 12 0.02 0.01 Other 4 0.01 0.02
Page 96 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Table 52: Types of Complaints by Water Sampling Locality
Type of Complaint Water Sampling Locality Total Complaints Air in Water Discoloured Water Taste or Odour Other Alexandra 1 2 1 0 4 Avenel 0 0 0 0 0 Barmah 0 5 0 0 5 Bonnie Doon 0 0 0 0 0 Broadford 0 8 0 0 8 Buxton 0 0 0 0 0 Cobram 1 3 1 0 5 Colbinabbin 0 0 0 0 0 Dookie 0 0 0 0 0 Eildon 0 0 0 0 0 Euroa 0 1 0 0 1 Girgarre 0 0 1 0 1 Katamatite 0 0 0 0 0 Katandra West 0 0 0 0 0 Katunga 0 0 0 0 0 Kilmore 2 11 3 0 16 Kyabram 0 0 1 0 1 Longwood 0 0 0 0 0 Mansfield 0 23 2 0 25 Marysville 0 1 0 0 1 Merrigum 0 0 0 0 0 Mooroopna 0 0 0 0 0 Murchison 0 0 0 0 0 Nagambie 0 2 2 0 4 Nathalia 0 0 3 0 3 Numurkah 0 2 2 0 4 Picola 0 2 1 0 3 Pyalong 0 0 0 0 0 Rushworth 0 1 0 0 1 Seymour 0 19 4 0 23 Shepparton 1 20 29 4 54 Stanhope 0 0 2 0 2 Strathmerton 0 1 0 0 1 Tallarook 0 0 0 0 0 Tallygaroopna 0 0 0 0 0 Tatura 0 5 1 0 6 Thornton 0 0 0 0 0 Tongala 0 0 1 0 1 Toolamba 0 1 0 0 1 Trawool 0 0 0 0 0 Upper Delatite 0 0 0 0 0 Violet Town 7 1 2 0 10 Wandong - Heathcote Jn 0 0 0 0 0 Waterford Park 0 0 0 0 0 Wunghnu 0 0 0 0 0 Yarraweyah 0 0 0 0 0 Yea 0 4 0 0 4
5.1 Analysis of Water Quality Complaints
Of the 196 complaints received during the 2016/2017 reporting period, the majority were related to taste, odour and discoloured water. The majority of complaints were isolated events and were spread across the localities. As discussed in the earlier sections, taste and odour complaints were reported at Shepparton as a result of the significant black water event that occurred in the Goulburn River compromising raw water quality resulting in enhanced water treatment requirements affecting normal water taste and odour.
Page 97 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
A number of dirty water complaints were generated at Bonnie Doon in September 2016 due to extraction of manganese rich water from the bottom of Lake Eildon. GVW repositioned the offtake level to extract water with lower concentration of manganese. All complaints were promptly responded to by GVW staff.
The 2016/2017 reporting period saw insignificant changes for each type of complaint in comparison to the previous year.
5.2 Customer Engagement around Water Quality
Customer Engagement is a priority for the Corporation and forms an integral part of our business. We inform our customers of service interruptions, water quality issues and general information about our activities via variety of traditional and digital communication methods. During 2016/17 GVW:
Delivered SMS messages to customers regarding planned and unplanned service interruptions and water incidents. More than 28,000 SMS notifications were sent to customers during the year compared to 8,700 in 2015/16;
Utilised social media channels to distribute information to customers regarding water quality and service interruptions, 61 Facebook posts;
Collaborated with GBCMA to distribute information to customers regarding a blackwater event in Shepparton over the New Year period. The water quality event affected the taste of Shepparton and Mooroopna water for a number of days;
Distributed information to customers regarding a boil water notice in Tatura (May 2017) via regular SMS updates, email, phone, social media and website tools;
Distributed information to customers in Corop regarding the impacts of Blue Green Algae;
Distributed 36 media releases relating to water quality issues, boil water notices, water conservation, water treatment plant upgrades, service interruptions and EPA licence recycled water releases;
Distributed Fact sheets and FAQ’s regarding water resources, water quality and treatment processes. This information was made available to customers on request and via the corporate website;
Hosted 48 water cafes in the towns that we service to obtain feedback from customers regarding GVW services; and
Continued to support the Goulburn Broken Waterwatch Program in schools and with community groups that participate in catchment wide water quality monitoring projects.
Plant tours were held at Shepparton WTP and Tatura WTP following events to inform the public of safe drinking water production.
Page 98 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
6 FINDINGS OF THE MOST RECENT RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN AUDIT
Table 53: Summary - audit findings and actions from 2016 Risk Management Plan Audit Report
OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT (IDENTIFIED BY GVW ACTION TIMEFRAME STATUS AUDITOR) It is noted that the newly revised risks based on the 2015 requirements have not yet been fully entered into the GVW risk Completed. NA NA database, but a plan to achieve this is expected by the end of 2016. The linkage between the risk plan and the required competencies and therefore training for managerial staff could be stronger. Currently it is A formal professional development program for non-operational staff December 2017 On Schedule loosely captured through the position descriptions, but a one to one working in water quality is being developed. linkage was not possible were-as it was for the operational staff. It was noted that the weekly checks of the online instruments is September 2018 On Schedule currently not in the maintenance database, Transition the existing database into Aquantify for consistency The Sanitary Survey used for the catchment and the treatment plants could also be applied to the networks with the output from the plant This has been considered and is not being progressed any further NA NA used at the "catchment". It is noted that the revised drinking water risk registers do not always list all of the operational controls in place as required by Periscope. Further development of the controls register is being undertaken and will Either this could occur or a stronger linkage between the listed improve the linkage when referring to site specific/program specific November 2017 On Schedule procedures in DWQMS and the listed risk could be considered (e.g. by preventative measures and the risk naming convention of the procedures or the way they are listed). During the audit a number of draft Operational Checklists were sighted that are to be used to help control the incidents. A practice is Ongoing. These checklists will further be developed, implemented and scheduled for July 2016 to test its effectiveness. Once these have December 2018 On Schedule tested over time. been rolled out, they could be a part of the risk register and the listed controls. During the audit, external documents such as "Practical Guide to the Operation Optimisation of Chlorine and Chloramines Disinfection" were sighted. These are used by the operators to help understand the Completed. These documents are now considered to be controlled NA NA theoretical controls of the plant. These could be controlled or recognised as a library in the same sense as Australian Standards or externally supplied Operations Manuals.
Page 99 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
7 UNDERTAKINGS UNDER SECTION 30 OF THE ACT
No Undertakings were in place during the 2016/17 reporting period.
Page 100 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
8 REGULATED WATER
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 the Minster for Health may declare a water supply to be a regulated water supply where water that is not drinking water, but that may be mistaken as being drinking water. The Minister for Health has declared six GVW water supplies as regulated water. GVWs regulated supplies are:
Corop; Molesworth; Goulburn Weir (Baxter’s Road); Kirwans Bridge; Strathbogie; and Woods Point.
GVW is required to include regulated water supplies as part of its risk management plan. All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the intended recipients of regulated water are made aware of the nature of that water and the health risks that may arise from the use of that water. All regulated water customers are advised that the water is not suitable for human consumption, which includes drinking or food preparation. The water is generally suitable for other domestic purposes.
Strategies implemented by GVW to ensure that regulated water is not mistakenly used for drinking include: Advisory notices are sent to all affected property owners and tenants twice per year; A warning message is included on invoices to affected customers three times per year; Councils, health care facilities and food establishments are advised of the non- drinking status of the water and have been provided with signs for taps in publicly accessible areas such as parks and public amenities; and The regulated water supplies are chlorinated to assist in maintenance of the supply system. Each regulated town was visited as part of the current Pricing Submission process to discuss the services provided. This process resulted in a 30% price reduction to these towns and further engagement is planned for the 2018 - 2023 period to determine the appetite for upgrade to a drinking water supply.
Page 101 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
Corop Raw Water Storages post treatment to effectively manage Blue Green Algae during the outbreak
The source waters for each regulated supply system in the Goulburn Valley region are shown in Table 54. Table 54: Regulated Water Supplies
Regulated Source Water Date of Publication of Population Water Gazette Notice Serviced Corop Waranga Basin outlet channel 4 January 2008 70 Goulburn Weir Lake Nagambie 4 January 2008 30 Kirwan's Bridge Lake Nagambie 4 January 2008 90 Molesworth Goulburn River 4 January 2008 40 Strathbogie Seven Creeks 4 January 2008 60 Woods Point Brewery Creek 4 January 2008 140
Page 102 of 103
Water Quality Annual Report 2016-17
9 FURTHER INFORMATION
Section 23 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 requires that GVW make available for inspection by the public the results of any water quality monitoring program that is conducted on any drinking water supplied by us.
Customers and members of the public may access drinking water quality data by contacting GVW via the details provided below.
Goulburn Valley Water Regional Administration Centre 104-110 Fryers Street Shepparton 3630 Mail: PO Box 185, Shepparton 3632 Telephone: (03) 5832 0400 Facsimile: (03) 5831 1467 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gvwater.vic.gov.au
Page 103 of 103 Prepared by: Water Quality Team: Brenda Lee, Steve Newham, Tara Callingham, Mark Putman Goulburn Valley Water Corporation