Adelaide River (Northern Territory) – B. pseudomallei

Between 2013 and 2016 B. pseudomallei was detected in untreated water from the Katherine, the Darwin River Reservoir, McMinns borefields and the Adelaide River. Katherine B. pseudomallei detections are from unchlorinated parts of the water treatment plant. The positive detections in Darwin were from samples of raw water collected prior to the disinfection process. The Adelaide River positive detection was from a sample of the sediment in a tank that was offline for cleaning.

B. pseudomallei is the agent responsible for Meliodosis, an infectious disease

Adelaide River (Northern Territory) – E.coli

2006/07: Adelaide River E.coli: 1 exceedance. 97.5% samples within guideline

2009/10: Adelaide River E. coli 1 exceedance 95.8% samples within guideline

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

Adelaide River (Northern Territory)  – Iron

2003/4: Adelaide River Iron 0.4mg/L

2004/05: Adelaide River Iron 1.3mg/L

2005/06: Adelaide River Iron 1.14mg/L

2007/08: Adelaide River Iron 0.89mg/L

2009/10: Adelaide River Iron 0.62mg/L

2010/11: Adelaide River Iron 0.64mg/L

2011/12: Adelaide River Iron 0.64mg/L

2012/13: Adelaide River Iron 0.46mg/L

2013/14: Adelaide River Iron 0.45mg/L

2014/15: Adelaide River Iron 0.33mg/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

Adelaide River – Northern Territory – Manganese

2005/06: Adelaide River (Northern Territory) – Manganese 0.35mg/L (highest level)

2004/05: Adelaide River (Northern Territory) – Manganese 0.35mg/L (highest level)

Manganese: ADWG Guidelines 0.5mg/L. ADWG Aesthetic Guideline 0.1mg/L
Manganese is found in the natural environment. Manganese in drinking water above 0.1mg/L can give water an unpleasant taste and stain plumbling fixtures and laundry.

Adelaide River – Northern Territory – Lead

2015/2016: Adelaide River Lead 0.006mg/L

Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.”

Adelaide River – Northern Territory – Selenium

2002-2004: Adelaide River Selenium 0.005mg/L (av.)

Based on health considerations, the concentration of selenium in drinking water should not exceed 0.004 mg/L (2011-2025 guideline 0.01mg/L). “General description Selenium (Se) and selenium salts are widespread in the environment. Selenium is released from natural and human-made sources (such as the burning of coal). Selenium is also a by-product of the processing of sulfide ores, chiefly in the copper refining industry. The major use of selenium is in the manufacture of electronic components. It is used in several other industries, and selenium compounds are used in some insecticides, in hair shampoos as an antidandruff agent, and as a nutritional feed additive for poultry and livestock. Selenium copper alloys have also been identified as a potential replacement for lead copper alloys in plumbing products. Further information on lead replacements in plumbing products (such as selenium copper alloys) is available in Information Sheet 4.1 – Metal and metalloid chemicals leaching from plumbing products. Selenium concentrations in drinking water source waters are generally very low and depend on local geochemistry, climatic conditions (e.g. drought), pH and the presence of iron salts. Selenium in water is mainly present as inorganic compounds, predominantly selenate. Weathering of rocks and soil may result in low levels of selenium in water, which may be taken up by plants (SLR 2022). Food is the major source of intake for Australians. Cereal and grain products contribute most to intake, while fish and liver contain the highest selenium concentrations.” ADWG 2025