Australian Drinking Water Map

Mataranka (Northern Territory) – Selenium

2002-2004: Mataranka Selenium 0.01mg/L (av.)

2005/2006: Mataranka Selenium 0.01mg/L (max)

2007/2008: Mataranka Selenium 0.008mg/L (max)

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

2015/2016: Mataranka Selenium 0.004mg/L

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

Mataranka – Northern Territory – Hardness

2003/04: Mataranka Hardness 500mg/L

2004/05: Mataranka  Hardness 507mg/L

2005/06: Mataranka Hardness 506mg/L

2006/07: Mataranka Hardness 512mg/L

2007/08: Mataranka Hardness 512mg/L

2008/09: Mataranka  Hardness 515mg/L

2009/10: Mataranka Hardness 479mg/L

2010/11: Mataranka Hardness 470mg/L

2011/12: Mataranka Hardness 462mg/L

2012/13: Mataranka Hardness 428mg/L

2013/14: Mataranka Hardness 451mg/L

2014/15: Mataranka Hardness 317mg/L

2015/16: Mataranka Hardness 352mg/L

2016/17: Mataranka Hardness 302mg/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

Mataranka – Northern Territory – Total Dissolved Solids

2003/04: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 970mg/L

2004/05: Mataranka  Total Dissolved Solids 983 mg/L

2005/06: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 984 mg/L

2008/09: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 920 mg/L

2011/12: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 865mg/L

2012/13: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 856mg/L

2013/14: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 814mg/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

Mataranka (Northern Territory)  – Iron

2003/04: Mataranka Iron 0.6mg/L

2005/06: Mataranka  Iron 0.6mg/L

2006/07: Mataranka Iron 0.6mg/L

2007/08: Mataranka Iron 2.12mg/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

Mataranka – (Northern Territory) – Iodine

2006/07: Mataranka Iodine 0.129mg/L

2007/08: Mataranka Iodine 0.13mg/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.

Mataranka (Northern Territory) – Lead

2005/2006: Mataranka Lead 0.004mg/L (max)

2006/2007: Mataranka Lead 0.004mg/L (95% percentile)

2007/2008: Mataranka Lead 0.004mg/L (max)

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.”

2002/17: Mataranka (Northern Territory). Selenium, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Iron, Iodine, Lead

in , ,
Mataranka (Northern Territory) – Selenium 2002-2004: Mataranka Selenium 0.01mg/L (av.) 2005/2006: Mataranka Selenium 0.01mg/L (max) 2007/2008: Mataranka Selenium 0.008mg/L (max) 2011/2012: Mataranka Selenium 0.003mg/L (max) 2015/2016: Mataranka Selenium 0.004mg/L 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 Mataranka – Northern Territory – Hardness 2003/04: Mataranka Hardness 500mg/L 2004/05: Mataranka  Hardness 507mg/L 2005/06: Mataranka Hardness 506mg/L 2006/07: Mataranka Hardness 512mg/L 2007/08: Mataranka Hardness 512mg/L 2008/09: Mataranka  Hardness 515mg/L 2009/10: Mataranka Hardness 479mg/L 2010/11: Mataranka Hardness 470mg/L 2011/12: Mataranka Hardness 462mg/L 2012/13: Mataranka Hardness 428mg/L 2013/14: Mataranka Hardness 451mg/L 2014/15: Mataranka Hardness 317mg/L 2015/16: Mataranka Hardness 352mg/L 2016/17: Mataranka Hardness 302mg/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 Mataranka – Northern Territory – Total Dissolved Solids 2003/04: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 970mg/L 2004/05: Mataranka  Total Dissolved Solids 983 mg/L 2005/06: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 984 mg/L 2008/09: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 920 mg/L 2011/12: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 865mg/L 2012/13: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 856mg/L 2013/14: Mataranka Total Dissolved Solids 814mg/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 Mataranka (Northern Territory)  – Iron 2003/04: Mataranka Iron 0.6mg/L 2005/06: Mataranka  Iron 0.6mg/L 2006/07: Mataranka Iron 0.6mg/L 2007/08: Mataranka Iron 2.12mg/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 Mataranka – (Northern Territory) – Iodine 2006/07: Mataranka Iodine 0.129mg/L 2007/08: Mataranka Iodine 0.13mg/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. Mataranka (Northern Territory) – Lead 2005/2006: Mataranka Lead 0.004mg/L (max) 2006/2007: Mataranka Lead 0.004mg/L (95% percentile) 2007/2008: Mataranka Lead 0.004mg/L (max) 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.”