Australian Drinking Water Map

Larrimah (Northern Territory): E.coli
 
E.coli Total Exceedences 1. 97.4% Samples passing reporting level.
 
(Power & Water Corporation Water Quality Report 2006)
 

“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

Larrimah (Northern Territory) – Selenium

2005/2006: Larrimah Selenium 0.007mg/L

2007/2008: Larrimah Selenium 0.007mg/L (max)

2006/2007: Larrimah Selenium 0.007mg/L (95% percentile)

2002-2004: Larrimah Selenium 0.007mg/L (av.)

2008/2009: Larrimah Selenium 0.005mg/L (max)

2015/2016: Larrimah Selenium 0.004mg/L

2011/2012: Larrimah Selenium 0.003mg/L (max)

2008/2009: Larrimah Selenium 0.003mg/L (max)

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

Larrimah – Northern Territory –

2004/17 – Larrimah (Northern Territory) – E.coli, Selenium, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Iodine

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Larrimah (Northern Territory): E.coli
E.coli Total Exceedences 1. 97.4% Samples passing reporting level.
(Power & Water Corporation Water Quality Report 2006)
“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 Larrimah (Northern Territory) – Selenium 2005/2006: Larrimah Selenium 0.007mg/L 2007/2008: Larrimah Selenium 0.007mg/L (max) 2006/2007: Larrimah Selenium 0.007mg/L (95% percentile) 2002-2004: Larrimah Selenium 0.007mg/L (av.) 2008/2009: Larrimah Selenium 0.005mg/L (max) 2015/2016: Larrimah Selenium 0.004mg/L 2011/2012: Larrimah Selenium 0.003mg/L (max) 2008/2009: Larrimah Selenium 0.003mg/L (max) 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 Larrimah – Northern Territory – Hardness 2003/04: Larrimah Hardness 500mg/L 2004/05: Larrimah  Hardness 494mg/L 2005/06: Larrimah Hardness 497mg/L 2006/07: Larrimah Hardness 513mg/L 2007/08: Larrimah Hardness 513mg/L 2008/09: Larrimah  Hardness 522mg/L 2009/10: Larrimah Hardness 490mg/L 2010/11: Larrimah Hardness 487mg/L 2011/12: Larrimah Hardness 482mg/L 2012/13: Larrimah Hardness 483mg/L 2013/14: Larrimah Hardness 504mg/L 2014/15: Larrimah Hardness 465mg/L 2015/16: Larrimah Hardness 548mg/L 2016/17: Larrimah Hardness 523mg/L 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 Larrimah – Northern Territory – Total Dissolved Solids 2004/05: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 896 mg/L 2005/06: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 915 mg/L 2008/09: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 900 mg/L 2011/12: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 883mg/L 2012/13: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 949mg/L 2013/14: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 940mg/L 2014/15: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 944mg/L 2015/16: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 972mg/L 2016/17: Larrimah Total Dissolved Solids 935mg/L 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 Larrimah – (Northern Territory) – Iodine 2006/07: Larrimah Iodine 0.117mg/L 2007/08: Larrimah Iodine 0.12mg/L 2008/09: Larrimah  Iodine 0.13mg/L 2009/10: Larrimah Iodine 0.12mg/L 2011/12: Larrimah Iodine 0.11mg/L GUIDELINE Iodide: Based on health considerations, the concentration of iodide in drinking water should not exceed 0.5 mg/L. Iodine: No guideline value has been set for molecular iodine. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The element iodine is present naturally in seawater, nitrate minerals and seaweed, mostly in the form of iodide salts. It may be present in water due to leaching from salt and mineral deposits. Iodide can be oxidised to molecular iodine with strong disinfectants such as chlorine. Molecular iodine solutions are used as antiseptics and as sanitising agents in hospitals and laboratories. Iodine is occasionally used for the emergency disinfection of water for field use but is not used for disinfecting larger drinking water supplies. Iodide is used in pharmaceutical and photographic materials. Iodine has a taste threshold in water of about 0.15 mg/L. Iodide occurs in cows’ milk and seafood. Some countries add iodide to table salt to compensate for iodide-deficient diets.