Port Lincoln  (South Australia) – Mercury

Highest SA Water Mercury Readings 2000-12: 19/12/06 Port Lincoln Mercury 0.001mg/L, 8/5/12 Renmark Mercury 0.001mg/L.

Australian Drinking Water  Guideline 0.001mg/L

Mercury, if it enters the ecosystem can transform into the more toxic methylmercury where it can bioaccumulate. Methylmercury is highly toxic to human embryos, fetuses, infants and children. Mercury has numerous sources including old gold mines, where mercury was used in gold recovery process. It has been estimated that 950 tonnes of
mercury was deposited into Victorian soil, rivers and streams during the various gold rushes.
https://ntn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/mercury_brief20101.pdf

Port Lincoln (South Australia) – Hardness

2018/19: Port Lincoln (South Australia) Hardness as CaCO3 267mg/L (max), 258.5mg/L (mean)

2019/20: Port Lincoln Total Hardness as CaCO3 279mg/L (max), 266mg/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