Indulkana (South Australia) Lead
20 August 2012 – Indulkana (South Australia) – Lead 0.0135mg/L
19 September 2012 – Indulkana TS Drinking Water (South Australia) – Lead 0.1276mg/L
19 August 2013 – Indulkana (South Australia) – Lead 0.0122mg/L
Lead Australian Drinking Water Guideline 0.01mg/L
“… Lead can be present in drinking water as a result of dissolution from natural sources, or from household plumbing systems containing lead. These may include lead in pipes, or in solder used to seal joints. The amount of lead dissolved will depend on a number of factors including pH, water hardness and the standing time of the water.
Lead is the most common of the heavy metals and is mined widely throughout the world. It is used in the production of lead acid batteries, solder, alloys, cable sheathing, paint pigments, rust inhibitors, ammunition, glazes and plastic stabilisers. The organo-lead compounds tetramethyl and tetraethyl lead are used extensively as anti-knock and lubricating compounds in gasoline…ADWG 2011
Indulkana (South Australia) Nickel
20 August 2012: Indulkana (South Australia) 0.0406mg/L
Nickel: ADWG Health Guideline 0.02mg/L. A chemical element and silvery white corrosion resistant metal with a golden tinge. 60% of nickel production is used in nickel steel (particularly stainless steel). In water, mainly a problem with nickel plated fittings. Main releases to the environment are from the burning of fossil fuels and in waste discharges from electroplating industries.
Indulkana (South Australia) – Chloride
20 August 2012: Indulkana (South Australia) Chloride 622mg/L
20 August 2012: Indulkana (South Australia) Chloride 330mg/L (TS Drinking Water)
26 March 2015: Indulkana (South Australia) Chloride 580mg/L
26/11/19: Indulkana Chloride 569mg/L (potable/non-potable)
“Chloride is present in natural waters from the dissolution of salt deposits, and contamination from effluent disposal. Sodium chloride is widely used in the production of industrial chemicals such as caustic soda, chlorine, and sodium chlorite and hypochlorite. Potassium chloride is used in the production of fertilisers.
The taste threshold of chloride in water is dependent on the associated cation but is in the range 200–300 mg/L. The chloride content of water can affect corrosion of pipes and fittings. It can also affect the solubility of metal ions.
In surface water, the concentration of chloride is usually less than 100 mg/L and frequently below 10 mg/L. Groundwater can have higher concentrations, particularly if there is salt water intrusion.
Based on aesthetic considerations, the chloride concentration in drinking water should not exceed 250 mg/L.
No health-based guideline value is proposed for chloride.” 2011 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
Indulkana (South Australia) – Iron
19 August 2013: Indulkana (South Australia) Iron 0.6744mg/L
19 August 2013: Indulkana (South Australia) Iron 0.5531mg/L
26 March 2015: Indulkana (South Australia) Iron 0.3001mg/L
Based on aesthetic considerations (precipitation of iron from solution and taste),
the concentration of iron in drinking water should not exceed 0.3 mg/L.
No health-based guideline value has been set for iron.
Iron has a taste threshold of about 0.3 mg/L in water, and becomes objectionable above 3 mg/L. High iron concentrations give water an undesirable rust-brown appearance and can cause staining of laundry and plumbing fittings, fouling of ion-exchange softeners, and blockages in irrigation systems. Growths of iron bacteria, which concentrate iron, may cause taste and odour problems and lead to pipe restrictions, blockages and corrosion. ADWG 2011
2016/17 – Indulkana – Sodium
19 August 2013: Indulkana (South Australia) – Sodium 340mg/L
19 August 2013: Indulkana TS Drinking Water (South Australia) – Sodium 186mg/L
5 August 2014: Indulkana (South Australia) – Sodium 382mg/L
10 August 2015: Indulkana (South Australia) – Sodium 327mg/L
22 November 2016: Indulkana (South Australia) – Sodium 361mg/L
26/11/19: Indulkana Sodium 351mg/L (potable/non-potable)
9/11/21: Indulkana NDW TS Non Potable Sodium 9/11/21 287mg/L (max)
should not exceed 180 mg/L….The sodium ion is widespread in water due to the high solubility of sodium salts and the abundance of mineral deposits. Near coastal areas, windborne sea spray can make an important contribution either by fallout onto land surfaces where it can drain to drinking water sources, or from washout by rain. Apart from saline intrusion and natural contamination, water treatment chemicals, domestic water softeners and
sewage effluent can contribute to the sodium content of drinking water.” ADWG 2011
2012 – Indulkana (South Australia) – Sulphate
20 August 2012: Indulkana Sulphate 237mg/L
“Based on aesthetic considerations (taste), the concentration of sulfate in drinking water
should not exceed 250 mg/L. Purgative effects may occur if the concentration exceeds 500 mg/L.
Sulfate occurs naturally in a number of minerals, and is used commercially in the manufacture of numerous products including chemicals, dyes, glass, paper, soaps, textiles, fungicides and insecticides. Sulfate, including sulfuric acid, is also used in mining, pulping, and the metal and plating industries. Barium sulfate is used as a lubricant in drilling rigs for groundwater supply.
In the water industry, aluminium sulfate (alum) is used as a flocculant in water treatment, and copper sulfate is used for the control of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in water storages.
The highest concentrations reported in drinking water overseas are from groundwater supplies where the presence of sulfate is due to natural leaching from rocks. Concentrations have been reported up to 2200 mg/L. In source waters, concentrations are typically less than 100 mg/L.
The taste threshold for sulfate is in the range 250–500 mg/L.” ADWG 2011
2012/16 – Indulkana (South Australia) – Total Dissolved Solids
August 2012 – November 2016: 1500mg/L (average from 6 detections. All Above ADWG)
26/11/19: Indulkana Total Dissolved Solids 1550mg/L (potable/non-potable)
9/11/21: Indulkana TS NDW Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 1470mg/L (max)
GUIDELINE
“No specific health guideline value is provided for total dissolved solids (TDS), as there are no
health effects directly attributable to TDS. However for good palatability total dissolved solids
in drinking water should not exceed 600 mg/L.
Indulkana (South Australia) – Hardness
2012/16: Indulkana (South Australia) – Hardness average 433.3mg/L (5 detections out of 6 above guideline)
2012/16: Indulkana TS Drinking Water (South Australia) – Hardness average 184.6mg/L (2 detections out of 5 above guideline)
26/11/19: Indulkana Hardness 507mg/L (potable/non-potable)
9/11/21: Indulkana TS NDW Non Potable Total Hardness as CaCO3 489mg/L (max)
GUIDELINE
“To minimise undesirable build‑up of scale in hot water systems, total hardness (as calcium
carbonate) in drinking water should not exceed 200 mg/L.
Hard water requires more soap than soft water to obtain a lather. It can also cause scale to form on hot water pipes and fittings. Hardness is caused primarily by the presence of calcium and magnesium ions, although other cations such as strontium, iron, manganese and barium can also contribute.”
Iwantja (SA) – Total Dissolved Solids
1997-99: Iwantja (SA)
Bore I-25 has been the greatest and most consistent water supplier, and overall
has supplied over half of the community’s water usage. Other bores have
contributed to the water supply at times, such as I-19 and I-19A between
January and March 1998. Two bores in the Indulkana Range, IR-1 and IR-2, came
on line in the winter of 1999 but were not fitted with monitoring equipment until
October.
The available yield and water quality of the Iwantja bores is (Clarke, 2000):
I -19 ……. 1110 mg/L TDS
I -19A …..780 mg/L TDS
I-25 ……. 1500 mg/L TDS
I-26 …….1000 mg/L TDS
I-27 ……. 3000 mg/L TDS
IR-1 ….. 1900 mg/L TDS
IR-2 ….. 1500 mg/L TDS
GUIDELINE
“No specific health guideline value is provided for total dissolved solids (TDS), as there are no
health effects directly attributable to TDS. However for good palatability total dissolved solids
in drinking water should not exceed 600 mg/L.
Total dissolved solids (TDS) consist of inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter that are dissolved in water. Clay particles, colloidal iron and manganese oxides and silica, fine enough to pass through a 0.45 micron filter membrane can also contribute to total dissolved solids.
The salinity of two Iwantja bores sampled in the 1997 water quality survey was
780 and 1110 mg/L TDS, with nitrate concentrations of < 1mg/L and fluoride
concentrations of 0.4 mg/L. There were high iron (3.9-5. 7 mg/L) and radionuclide
concentrations in these groundwaters (Fitzgerald et al., 2000) and also high
iodide concentrations in two bores. These groundwaters are marginal to
unacceptable in terms of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (1996).