Mount Beauty (Victoria): E.coli
 
2007/8: 2 Non-Complying Samples. Max Result: 1 orgs 100/mL. 97.6% of samples no E.coli.
Mt Beauty and Tawonga E.coli detections occurred in October, January and February. As a result of the ongoing noncompliance issues, and a lack of multiple treatment barriers, DHS directed North East Water, under section 34 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, to put in place a BWN. The BWN was in place from 14 February to 1 May 2008.
 
22/10/07: E.coli detection (2 orgs/100ml, Boil Water Notice already in
place. Retests were clear.
 
14/1/08: E.coli (1 org/100 ml), Boil Water Notice already in
place. Retests were clear.
 

21/12/09 Mt Beauty E. coli detection 1org/100mL was found in Mt Beauty basin and Tawonga South reticulation sites. Ozone plant was checked. Clear water storage basin was chlorinated as part of risk management plan due to proximity of holiday period, hot weather and expected influx of visitors . Reticulation sites and Basin were resampled and results were clear.

1/02/10 Mt Beauty Enterococci detection 9org/100mL in treated water basin 3org/100mL in Mt Beauty reticulation Confirmed Ozone Plant was operating properly and ongoing monitoring was in place. Chlorine dosing due for implementation by mid February.

15/02/10 Mt Beauty E. coli in treated water basin, Mt Beauty 2orgs/100mL Confirmed Ozone Plant was operating within approved parameters and ongoing monitoring in place. Checked surrounding area of the treated water basin. No sign of any possible cause for the contamination was found. Chlorine dosing due for implementation by end February. Resample was taken and result was clear.

 

“Coliforms are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of aerobic and facultative anaerobic growth in the presence of bile salts or other surface active agents with similar growth-inhibiting properties. They are found in large numbers in the faeces of humans and other warm-blooded animals, but many species also occur in the environment.

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 2011

Mt Beauty (Victoria) – Bromate

2004/5 The highest Bromate level in Victoria was detected at Mt Beauty – North East Water 0.2mg/L

Bromate: Regulatory Standard = 0.02mg/L (Also see section of desalination). A suspected carcinogen. Bromate is formed when ozone used to disinfect drinking water reacts with naturally occurring bromide found in source water. Bromate formation in disinfected drinking water is influenced by factors such as bromide ion concentration, pH of the source water, the amount of ozone and the reaction time used to disinfect the water.

2022/23 – Mount Beauty (Victoria) – Turbidity

2022/23 – Mount Beauty (Victoria) – Turbidity 5.2NTU (max), 1NTU (Maximum 95th Percentile of turbidity results in any 12 months (NTU))

Chlorine-resistant pathogen reduction: Where filtration alone is used as the water treatment
process to address identified risks from Cryptosporidium and Giardia, it is essential
that filtration is optimised and consequently the target for the turbidity of water leaving
individual filters should be less than 0.2 NTU, and should not exceed 0.5 NTU at any time
Disinfection: A turbidity of less than 1 NTU is desirable at the time of disinfection with
chlorine unless a higher value can be validated in a specific context.

Aesthetic: Based on aesthetic considerations, the turbidity should not exceed 5 NTU at the
consumer’s tap

Mount Beauty (Victoria): BTEX

2020/21: Mount Beauty (Victoria) BTEX 0.003mg/L

Multiple parameters are included in this grouping. Each parameter has a different detection limit; the highest detection limits  has been used for reporting purposes.

BTEX refers to the chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

These compounds occur naturally in crude oil and can be found in sea water in the vicinity of natural gas and petroleum deposits. Other natural sources of BTEX compounds include gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires.

The primary man-made releases of BTEX compounds are through emissions from motor vehicles and aircrafts, and cigarette smoke. BTEX compounds are created and used during the processing of petroleum products and during the production of consumer goods such as paints and lacquers, thinners, rubber products, adhesives, inks, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.

BTEX compounds are among the most abundantly produced chemicals in the world. They include: Benzene, Ethylbenzene, M-& P-Xylene, O Xylene, Toluene, Total Xylenes

Mount Beauty (Victoria): Volatile Organic Compounds

2022/23: Mount Beauty (Victoria) VOC’s 0.015mg/L

Multiple parameters are included in this grouping, see Appendix 1. Each parameter has a different detection limit; the highest detection limits has been used for reporting purposes.

Appendix 1: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloroethene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichlorobenzene, 1,4-Dichlorobenzen, 124, Trimethlybenzene, Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlorobenzene, Chloroform, Dibromomethane, Hexachloro-1,3-Butadine, Methylene Chloride, Butylbenzene, Isopropyltoluene, Styrene, Tetrachloroethene, Trichloroethene

The primary concern with VOCs is that at relatively low concentrations some VOCs can be carcinogenic, can cause damage to the circulatory system and nervous system and other major organs, and may create a slight odor. For the most part, the volatile organic compounds are regulated under a Primary Drinking Water Standard because they pose a health risk at levels and concentrations that are lower than the concentration that may create an aesthetic problem. This means these are VOCs that could pose a health risk at concentrations in water for which there would be no aesthetic issue or problem that you could detect that would cause you to suspect you have a problem. There could be an air pollution problem, especially in confined spaces, should water with a high concentration of a VOC enter a home and be encouraged to leave the water by washing machines and showers. These are some reasons we think it is critical to not only get your water tested, but to use the Neighborhood Environmental Report to determine the historic hazards of VOCs in your community.

2004/10 + 2022/23: Mount Beauty (Victoria) – E.coli, Bromate, Turbidity, BTEX, VOC’s

Mount Beauty (Victoria): E.coli
2007/8: 2 Non-Complying Samples. Max Result: 1 orgs 100/mL. 97.6% of samples no E.coli.
Mt Beauty and Tawonga E.coli detections occurred in October, January and February. As a result of the ongoing noncompliance issues, and a lack of multiple treatment barriers, DHS directed North East Water, under section 34 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, to put in place a BWN. The BWN was in place from 14 February to 1 May 2008.
22/10/07: E.coli detection (2 orgs/100ml, Boil Water Notice already in
place. Retests were clear.
14/1/08: E.coli (1 org/100 ml), Boil Water Notice already in
place. Retests were clear.

21/12/09 Mt Beauty E. coli detection 1org/100mL was found in Mt Beauty basin and Tawonga South reticulation sites. Ozone plant was checked. Clear water storage basin was chlorinated as part of risk management plan due to proximity of holiday period, hot weather and expected influx of visitors . Reticulation sites and Basin were resampled and results were clear.

1/02/10 Mt Beauty Enterococci detection 9org/100mL in treated water basin 3org/100mL in Mt Beauty reticulation Confirmed Ozone Plant was operating properly and ongoing monitoring was in place. Chlorine dosing due for implementation by mid February.

15/02/10 Mt Beauty E. coli in treated water basin, Mt Beauty 2orgs/100mL Confirmed Ozone Plant was operating within approved parameters and ongoing monitoring in place. Checked surrounding area of the treated water basin. No sign of any possible cause for the contamination was found. Chlorine dosing due for implementation by end February. Resample was taken and result was clear.

“Coliforms are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of aerobic and facultative anaerobic growth in the presence of bile salts or other surface active agents with similar growth-inhibiting properties. They are found in large numbers in the faeces of humans and other warm-blooded animals, but many species also occur in the environment.

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 2011

Mt Beauty (Victoria) – Bromate

2004/5 The highest Bromate level in Victoria was detected at Mt Beauty – North East Water 0.2mg/L

Bromate: Regulatory Standard = 0.02mg/L (Also see section of desalination). A suspected carcinogen. Bromate is formed when ozone used to disinfect drinking water reacts with naturally occurring bromide found in source water. Bromate formation in disinfected drinking water is influenced by factors such as bromide ion concentration, pH of the source water, the amount of ozone and the reaction time used to disinfect the water.

2022/23 – Mount Beauty (Victoria) – Turbidity

2022/23 – Mount Beauty (Victoria) – Turbidity 5.2NTU (max), 1NTU (Maximum 95th Percentile of turbidity results in any 12 months (NTU))

Chlorine-resistant pathogen reduction: Where filtration alone is used as the water treatment
process to address identified risks from Cryptosporidium and Giardia, it is essential
that filtration is optimised and consequently the target for the turbidity of water leaving
individual filters should be less than 0.2 NTU, and should not exceed 0.5 NTU at any time
Disinfection: A turbidity of less than 1 NTU is desirable at the time of disinfection with
chlorine unless a higher value can be validated in a specific context.

Aesthetic: Based on aesthetic considerations, the turbidity should not exceed 5 NTU at the
consumer’s tap

Mount Beauty (Victoria): BTEX

2020/21: Mount Beauty (Victoria) BTEX 0.003mg/L

Multiple parameters are included in this grouping. Each parameter has a different detection limit; the highest detection limits  has been used for reporting purposes.

BTEX refers to the chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

These compounds occur naturally in crude oil and can be found in sea water in the vicinity of natural gas and petroleum deposits. Other natural sources of BTEX compounds include gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires.

The primary man-made releases of BTEX compounds are through emissions from motor vehicles and aircrafts, and cigarette smoke. BTEX compounds are created and used during the processing of petroleum products and during the production of consumer goods such as paints and lacquers, thinners, rubber products, adhesives, inks, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.

BTEX compounds are among the most abundantly produced chemicals in the world. They include: Benzene, Ethylbenzene, M-& P-Xylene, O Xylene, Toluene, Total Xylenes

Mount Beauty (Victoria): Volatile Organic Compounds

2022/23: Mount Beauty (Victoria) VOC’s 0.015mg/L

Multiple parameters are included in this grouping, see Appendix 1. Each parameter has a different detection limit; the highest detection limits has been used for reporting purposes.

Appendix 1: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloroethene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichlorobenzene, 1,4-Dichlorobenzen, 124, Trimethlybenzene, Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlorobenzene, Chloroform, Dibromomethane, Hexachloro-1,3-Butadine, Methylene Chloride, Butylbenzene, Isopropyltoluene, Styrene, Tetrachloroethene, Trichloroethene

The primary concern with VOCs is that at relatively low concentrations some VOCs can be carcinogenic, can cause damage to the circulatory system and nervous system and other major organs, and may create a slight odor. For the most part, the volatile organic compounds are regulated under a Primary Drinking Water Standard because they pose a health risk at levels and concentrations that are lower than the concentration that may create an aesthetic problem. This means these are VOCs that could pose a health risk at concentrations in water for which there would be no aesthetic issue or problem that you could detect that would cause you to suspect you have a problem. There could be an air pollution problem, especially in confined spaces, should water with a high concentration of a VOC enter a home and be encouraged to leave the water by washing machines and showers. These are some reasons we think it is critical to not only get your water tested, but to use the Neighborhood Environmental Report to determine the historic hazards of VOCs in your community.