2004 March + 2018/23: Millicent (South Australia) – Fluoride, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids

Millicent (South Australia) – Fluoride

Highest Fluoride Levels recorded by SA Water 2000-12: Millicent 9/3/04 1.5mg/L.

Fluoride: ADWG Guideline: non-fluoridated water 1.5 milligrams per litre of drinking water
Fluoridated water 1.0 milligrams per litre of drinking water (rolling annual average). In Victoria, the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973 states that the annual average for fluoride in drinking water shall not exceed a level of 1mg/L. It can be added to water supplies through the ‘Flurodose’ process. Fluoride is added to water either as fluosilicic acid (sometimes known as hydrofluosilicic acid) or sodium silicofluoride. It is sourced from superphosphate and is soluble.
Naturally occurring fluoride is almost insoluble and is known as calcium fluoride.

Millicent – South Australia Hardness

2018/19: Millicent (South Australia) Hardness 200mg/L (max), 189mg/L (av)

2018/19: Millicent (South Australia) Hardness as CaCO3 373mg/L (max), 353.25mg/L (av)

2019/20: Millicent (South Australia) Total Hardness as CaCO3 389mg/L (max), 370.75mg/L av.

2019/20: Millicent (South Australia) Calcium Hardness as CaCO3 213mg/L (max), 197mg/L av.

2022/23: Millicent (South Australia) Calcium Hardness as CaCO3 214mg/L (max), 204.75mg/L av.

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.”

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011

Millicent (South Australia) – Total Dissolved Solids

2018/19: Millicent (South Australia) Total Dissolved Solids 630mg/L (max), 622.5mg/L (av)

2019/20: Millicent (South Australia) Total Dissolved Solids (by EC) 666mg/L (max), 637mg/L av.

2022/23: Millicent (South Australia) Total Dissolved Solids (by EC) 650mg/L (max), 645.5mg/L av.

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.

Total dissolved solids comprise: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, carbonate, silica, organic matter, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, nitrite and phosphates…” Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011