2022/2023 – Gumeracha (South Australia) – E.coli

5/8/22: Gumeracha (South Australia). E.coli 1 CFU/100mL

Thermotolerant coliforms are a sub-group of coliforms that are able to grow at 44.5 ± 0.2°C. E. coli is the most common thermotolerant coliform present in faeces and is regarded as the most specific indicator of recent faecal contamination because generally it is not capable of growth in the environment. In contrast, some other thermotolerant coliforms (including strains of Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Enterobacter) are able to grow in the environment and their presence is not necessarily related to faecal contamination. While tests for thermotolerant coliforms can be simpler than for E. coli, E. coli is considered a superior indicator for detecting faecal contamination…” ADWG

Gumeracha (South Australia) – Ammonia

January 13 2017 – Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.57mg/L

January 13 2017 Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.69mg/L (Albert Street)

February 10 2017 Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.54mg/L (Albert Street)

February 3 2017 Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.51mg/L (Mannum Road)

April 7 2017 Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.54mg/L (Mannum Road)

2/11/18: Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia 0.59mg/L (max for 2018/19)

29/11/19: Gumeracha Adelaide/Mannum Rd Ammonia 0.48mg/L (max). 2019/20 av: 0.33mg/L

25/9/20: Gumeracha Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.5mg/L

6/11/20: Gumeracha Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.54mg/L

4/12/20: Gumeracha Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.62mg/L

4/12/20: Gumeracha (South Australia)  0.51mg/L (max).

25/6/21: Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.5mg/L

1/10/21: Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia 0.55mg/L

5/11/21: Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia 0.51mg/L

2022/23: Gumeracha (South Australia) Ammonia 0.5mg/L (max), 0.36mg/L (av.)

Based on aesthetic considerations (corrosion of copper pipes and fittings), the concentration
of ammonia (measured as ammonia) in drinking water should not exceed 0.5 mg/L.
No health-based guideline value is set for ammonia.

“…Most uncontaminated source waters have ammonia concentrations below 0.2 mg/L. High concentrations (greater than 10 mg/L) have been reported where water is contaminated with animal waste. Ammonia is unlikely to be detected in chlorinated supplies as it reacts quickly with free chlorine. Ammonia in water can result in the corrosion of copper pipes and fittings, causing copper stains on sanitary ware. It is also a food source for some microorganisms, and can support nuisance growths of bacteria and algae, often with a resultant increase in the nitrite concentration.” ADWG 2011

Gumeracha (South Australia) – pH (alkaline)

Average pH: 2016 July-2017 June Albert Street: 8.85 pH units

Average pH: 2016 July-2017 June Adelaide/Mannum Road: 8.754 pH units

2018/19: Gumeracha (South Australia) Albert Street pH average: 8.675pH units

2019/20: Gumeracha (South Australia)  (Albert street) pH (average) 8.78pH units

2018/19: Gumeracha (South Australia) Adelaide/Mannum Rd pH average: 8.742pH units

2019/20: Gumeracha (South Australia)  (Adelaide/Mannum Rd) pH (average) 8.67pH units

2022/23: Gumeracha (South Australia)  (Albert Street) pH (average) 8.75pH units

2022/23: Gumeracha (South Australia)  (Adelaide/Mannum Rd) pH (average) 8.74pH units

Based on the need to reduce corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings, the pH of
drinking water should be between 6.5 and 8.5.

New concrete tanks and cement-mortar lined pipes can significantly increase pH and
a value up to 9.2 may be tolerated, provided monitoring indicates no deterioration in
microbiological quality.

pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of water. It is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, greater than 7 is alkaline, and less than 7 is acidic.

One of the major objectives in controlling pH is to minimise corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings. Corrosion can be reduced by the formation of a protective layer of calcium carbonate on the inside of the pipe or fitting, and the formation of this layer is affected by pH, temperature, the availability of calcium (hardness) and carbon dioxide. If the water is too alkaline (above pH 8.5), the rapid deposition and build-up of calcium carbonate that can result may eventually block the pipe.

When pH is below 6.5 or above 11, the water may corrode plumbing fittings and pipes. This, however, will depend on other factors such as the material used, the concentration and type of ions in solution, the availability of oxygen, and the water temperature. Under some conditions, particularly in the presence of strong oxidising agents such as chlorine, water with a pH between 6.5 and 7 can be quite corrosive.

Chlorine disinfection efficiency is impaired above pH 8.0, although the optimum pH for monochloramine disinfectant formation is between 8.0 and 8.4. In chloraminated supplies chlorine can react with ammonia to form odorous nitrogen trichloride below pH 7.

Chlorination of water supplies can decrease the pH, while it can be significantly raised by lime leached from new concrete tanks or from pipes lined with asbestos cement or cement mortar. Values of pH above 9.5 can cause a bitter taste in drinking water, and can irritate skin if the water is used for ablutions.

Gumeracha (South Australia) – Chloral Hydrate

13/3/00 Gumeracha Chloral Hydrate 20.3ug/L

Chloral hydrate is a disinfection by-product, arising from chlorination of water containing naturally occurring organic material (NOM). Chloral hydrate is a sedative and hypnotic drug. Long-term use of chloral hydrate is associated with a rapid development of tolerance to its effects and possible addiction as well as adverse effects including rashes, gastric
discomfort and severe renal, cardiac and hepatic failure.

2004 Australian Drinking Water Guideline: Trichloroacetaldehyde (chloral hydrate): 0.02mg/L

2011 Australian Drinking Water Guideline: Trichloroacetaldehyde (chloral hydrate): 0.1mg/L