2018 Benalla (Vic) – Lead

10/7/18 – Benalla (Vic) – Lead 0.025mg/L (max)

“The Benalla locality failed to meet the ADWG standard for lead in 2018-19…. A lead detection (0.025 mg/L) occurred as part of routine monitoring in the reticulation at Benalla on 10 July 2018. Results were received by the Corporation on18 July 2018. Test results from one other sites in the Benalla water sampling locality collected on the same day returned a result below the detection level of 0.001 mg/L.The sample site had recently been added to North East Water’s monitoring program in a new housing estate. A Section 18 was submitted to DHHS on the 18 July 2019 when the Corporation was notified of the exceedance. An Operator attended the side and visually inspected the sample site noting that the property had recently been constructed. The external laboratory resampled from this site and three other sites within the Benalla reticulation on 24 July 2018. All retest results for lead were received on 27 July 2018 and were all below the lead detection level of 0.001 mg/L.All other results for the reporting period in Benalla water sampling locality were below detection level.” North East Water Drinking Water Quality Report 2018/19

Lead Australian Drinking Water Guideline 0.01mg/L

“… Lead can be present in drinking water as a result of dissolution from natural sources, or from household plumbing systems containing lead. These may include lead in pipes, or in solder used to seal joints. The amount of lead dissolved will depend on a number of factors including pH, water hardness and the standing time of the water.

Lead is the most common of the heavy metals and is mined widely throughout the world. It is used in the production of lead acid batteries, solder, alloys, cable sheathing, paint pigments, rust inhibitors, ammunition, glazes and plastic stabilisers. The organo-lead compounds tetramethyl and tetraethyl lead are used extensively as anti-knock and lubricating compounds in gasoline…ADWG 2011

Benalla – Victoria – Manganese

2007/08: Benalla (Victoria) – Manganese 0.11mg/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.

Benalla –  Victoria – Iron

2007/08: Benalla (Victoria)  – Iron 0.4mg/L

2012/13: Benalla Iron 0.37mg/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

Benalla (Victoria) – Colour

2009/10: Benalla Colour 25HU

Based on aesthetic considerations, true colour in drinking water should not exceed 15 HU.

“… Colour is generally related to organic content, and while colour derived from natural sources such as humic and fulvic acids is not a health consideration, chlorination of such water can produce a variety of chlorinated organic compounds as by-products (see Section 6.3.2 on disinfection by-products). If the colour is high at the time of disinfection, then the water should be checked for disinfection by-products. It should be noted, however, that low colour at the time of disinfection does not necessarily mean that the concentration of disinfection by-products will be low…