Australian Drinking Water Map

Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) Radioactivity

2003/4: Radionuclides or radiation emitting elements are sometimes found in drinking water supplies. In the Northern Territory these elements are natural to the environment and are characteristic of the local hydrogeology. Within the new Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, the measurement of these parameters is not based on concentration as with other parameters, but in terms of risk associated with annual dose per year. A dose above the guideline trigger value of 0.5 mSv/Yr requires ongoing monitoring and operational solutions to be investigated. In the coming year, Power and Water will be investigating options to reduce the total annual radiological dose to below the trigger value in Kings Canyon.

2007/8: Kings Canyon water supply has radioactivity levels higher than other Northern Territory water supplies. In July 2007, Queensland Health Scientific Services completed a report on the radiological properties of the water used for domestic and industrial purposes and subsequent wastewater treatment.

This study determined the combined total average dose per annum to be 0.69 mSv/yr. Although this value exceeds the guideline level for intervention (0.5 mSv/yr) the total annual dose guideline value (1.0 mSv/yr) has not been exceeded.

In response, the supply was sampled monthly during 2007-08. The annual radiological dose can be estimated from the average of the potential maximums calculated for each monitoring point within the supply. Using this approach, the potential maximum annual radiological dosage (95th percentile) is 0.88 mSv/yr. Power and Water will improve aeration at Kings Canyon and investigate advanced treatment systems to further reduce radionuclide levels.

2009/10: Kings Canyon water supply has higher levels of radionuclides than other Northern Territory water supplies and is intensely monitored. Despite the large amount of radiological data available for this water supply, all radionuclides contributing to the radioactivity of this supply were not identifi ed. The total annual radiation dose for the Kings Canyon water supply is reported as the worst case estimate.

2015/16: The Kings Canyon’s water supply has higher levels of radionuclides than other Northern Territory water supplies and as a result is intensely monitored. For example, 241 samples were collected from the Kings Canyon supply between 2014 and 2016. Fourteen of these samples exceeded the 1.0 mSv/year limit with the highest value, 2.08 mSv/year, recorded at the ground level tank outlet (same sample location for all the recorded highest levels). Kings Canyon’s ARD for 2015-16 is 1.07 mSv/year (95th percentile).

Highest Levels Kings Canyon
 

2003/04: Kings Canyon Radiological 0.7mSv/yr

2005/6: Kings Canyon Radiological 0.48mSv/year

2009/10: Kings Canyon Radiological 2.37mSv/yr

2011/12: Kings Canyon Radiological 1.04mSv/yr

2012/13: Kings Canyon Radiological 1mSv/yr

2013/14: Kings Canyon Radiological 0.95mSv/yr

2014/15: Kings Canyon Radiological 1.05mSv/yr

2015/16: Kings Canyon Radiological 1.07mSv/yr

2016/17: Kings Canyon Radiological 1mSv/yr
 
2017/18: Kings Canyon Radiological 1mSv/yr (95th %)
 
2020/21: Kings Canyon Radiological 1mSv/yr (95th %)
 
2021/22: Kings Canyon Radiological 0.9mSv/yr (av.)
 

Kings Canyon – Northern Territory – Selenium

2002-2004: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.015mg/L (av.)

2003/2004: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.015mg/L

2005/2006: Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) – Selenium 0.011mg/L

2007/2008: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.01mg/L

2008/2009: Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) – Selenium 0.01mg/L (95th %)

2009/2010: Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) – Selenium 0.01mg/L (95th %)

2010/2011: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.009mg/L (max)

2011/2012: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.009mg/L (max)

2015/2016: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.003mg/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

Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) Lead

2005/06: Kings Canyon Lead 0.008mg/L

2006/2007: Kings Canyon Lead 0.009mg/L (95% percentile)

2007/2008: Kings Canyon Lead 0.008mg/L (max)

2008/2009: Kings Canyon Lead 0.01mg/L (max)

2009/2010: Kings Canyon Lead 0.01mg/L (max)

2010/2011: Kings Canyon Lead 0.011mg/L (max)

2011/2012: Kings Canyon Lead 0.006mg/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.”

Kings Canyon – Northern Territory – Hardness

2003/04: Kings Canyon Hardness 300mg/L

2004/05: Kings Canyon Hardness 304mg/L

2005/06: Kings Canyon Hardness 312mg/L

2006/07: Kings Canyon Hardness 332mg/L

2007/08: Kings Canyon Hardness 348mg/L

2008/09: Kings Canyon Hardness 360mg/L

2009/10: Kings Canyon Hardness 363mg/L

2010/11: Kings Canyon Hardness 365mg/L

2011/12: Kings Canyon Hardness 371mg/L

2012/13: Kings Canyon Hardness 374mg/L

2013/14: Kings Canyon Hardness 370mg/L

2014/15: Kings Canyon Hardness 359mg/L

2015/16: Kings Canyon Hardness 381mg/L

2016/17: Kings Canyon Hardness 377mg/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

Kings Canyon – Northern Territory – Total Dissolved Solids

2005/06: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 803 mg/L

2008/9: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 821 mg/L

2005/06: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 803 mg/L

2011/12: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 816mg/L

2012/13: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 825mg/L

2016/17: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 815mg/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

Kings Canyon – (Northern Territory) – Iodide

2006/07: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.395mg/L

2007/08: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.4mg/L

2008/09: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.41mg/L

2009/10: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.41mg/L

2010/11: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.43mg/L

2011/12: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.43mg/L

Up to 2011, Iodide had a health guideline of 0.1mg/L. This was increased to 0.5mg/L in 2011. Kings Canyon therefore was exceeding the health guideline for Iodide for much of the 2000’s, than was under the new guideline starting in 2011.

Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) – Chloride

2010/11: Kings Canyon Chloride 261mg/L

2011/12: Kings Canyon Chloride 265mg/L

2012/13: Kings Canyon Chloride 253mg/L

2015/16: Kings Canyon Chloride 263mg/L

2016/17: Kings Canyon Chloride 261mg/L

“Chloride is present in natural waters from the dissolution of salt deposits, and contamination from effluent disposal. Sodium chloride is widely used in the production of industrial chemicals such as caustic soda, chlorine, and sodium chlorite and hypochlorite. Potassium chloride is used in the production of fertilisers.

The taste threshold of chloride in water is dependent on the associated cation but is in the range 200–300 mg/L. The chloride content of water can affect corrosion of pipes and fittings. It can also affect the solubility of metal ions.

In surface water, the concentration of chloride is usually less than 100 mg/L and frequently below 10 mg/L. Groundwater can have higher concentrations, particularly if there is salt water intrusion.

Based on aesthetic considerations, the chloride concentration in drinking water should not exceed 250 mg/L.

No health-based guideline value is proposed for chloride.” 2011 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

2002-22: Kings Canyon (Northern Territory). Radioactivity, Selenium, Lead, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Iodine, Chloride

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Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) Radioactivity 2003/4: Radionuclides or radiation emitting elements are sometimes found in drinking water supplies. In the Northern Territory these elements are natural to the environment and are characteristic of the local hydrogeology. Within the new Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, the measurement of these parameters is not based on concentration as with other parameters, but in terms of risk associated with annual dose per year. A dose above the guideline trigger value of 0.5 mSv/Yr requires ongoing monitoring and operational solutions to be investigated. In the coming year, Power and Water will be investigating options to reduce the total annual radiological dose to below the trigger value in Kings Canyon. 2007/8: Kings Canyon water supply has radioactivity levels higher than other Northern Territory water supplies. In July 2007, Queensland Health Scientific Services completed a report on the radiological properties of the water used for domestic and industrial purposes and subsequent wastewater treatment. This study determined the combined total average dose per annum to be 0.69 mSv/yr. Although this value exceeds the guideline level for intervention (0.5 mSv/yr) the total annual dose guideline value (1.0 mSv/yr) has not been exceeded. In response, the supply was sampled monthly during 2007-08. The annual radiological dose can be estimated from the average of the potential maximums calculated for each monitoring point within the supply. Using this approach, the potential maximum annual radiological dosage (95th percentile) is 0.88 mSv/yr. Power and Water will improve aeration at Kings Canyon and investigate advanced treatment systems to further reduce radionuclide levels. 2009/10: Kings Canyon water supply has higher levels of radionuclides than other Northern Territory water supplies and is intensely monitored. Despite the large amount of radiological data available for this water supply, all radionuclides contributing to the radioactivity of this supply were not identifi ed. The total annual radiation dose for the Kings Canyon water supply is reported as the worst case estimate. 2015/16: The Kings Canyon’s water supply has higher levels of radionuclides than other Northern Territory water supplies and as a result is intensely monitored. For example, 241 samples were collected from the Kings Canyon supply between 2014 and 2016. Fourteen of these samples exceeded the 1.0 mSv/year limit with the highest value, 2.08 mSv/year, recorded at the ground level tank outlet (same sample location for all the recorded highest levels). Kings Canyon’s ARD for 2015-16 is 1.07 mSv/year (95th percentile).
Highest Levels Kings Canyon
2003/04: Kings Canyon Radiological 0.7mSv/yr 2005/6: Kings Canyon Radiological 0.48mSv/year 2009/10: Kings Canyon Radiological 2.37mSv/yr 2011/12: Kings Canyon Radiological 1.04mSv/yr 2012/13: Kings Canyon Radiological 1mSv/yr 2013/14: Kings Canyon Radiological 0.95mSv/yr 2014/15: Kings Canyon Radiological 1.05mSv/yr 2015/16: Kings Canyon Radiological 1.07mSv/yr
2016/17: Kings Canyon Radiological 1mSv/yr
2017/18: Kings Canyon Radiological 1mSv/yr (95th %)
2020/21: Kings Canyon Radiological 1mSv/yr (95th %)
2021/22: Kings Canyon Radiological 0.9mSv/yr (av.)
Kings Canyon – Northern Territory – Selenium 2002-2004: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.015mg/L (av.) 2003/2004: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.015mg/L 2005/2006: Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) – Selenium 0.011mg/L 2007/2008: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.01mg/L 2008/2009: Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) – Selenium 0.01mg/L (95th %) 2009/2010: Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) – Selenium 0.01mg/L (95th %) 2010/2011: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.009mg/L (max) 2011/2012: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.009mg/L (max) 2015/2016: Kings Canyon Selenium 0.003mg/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 2017/18 – Katunga (Victoria) – Turbidity 2017/18 – Katunga (Victoria) – Turbidity 8.6NTU (max) Chlorine-resistant pathogen reduction: Where filtration alone is used as the water treatment process to address identified risks from Cryptosporidium and Giardia, it is essential that filtration is optimised and consequently the target for the turbidity of water leaving individual filters should be less than 0.2 NTU, and should not exceed 0.5 NTU at any time Disinfection: A turbidity of less than 1 NTU is desirable at the time of disinfection with chlorine unless a higher value can be validated in a specific context. Aesthetic: Based on aesthetic considerations, the turbidity should not exceed 5 NTU at the consumer’s tap Katunga (Victoria)  Total Dissolved Solids 2013/14: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1100mg/L (μS/cm) 2014/15: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1200mg/L (μS/cm) 2015/16: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1200mg/L (μS/cm) 2016/17: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1200mg/L (μS/cm) 2017/18: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1400mg/L (μS/cm) 2018/19: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1400mg/L (μS/cm) (max) 2019/20: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1600mg/L (μS/cm) (max) 2020/21: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1500mg/L (μS/cm) (max). 38 non-complying samples 2022/23: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1400mg/L (μS/cm) (max). 38 non-complying samples. (From the 1st April 2017, EC monitoring at Katunga and Pyalong was increased to weekly due to historical high levels in EC. In addition, weekly monitoring at Upper Delatite occurs because of risk of salt from artificial snow melt) 2023/24: Katunga (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids/Electrical conductivity 1200mg/L (μS/cm) (max), 100mg/L (μS/cm) (min). 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. Katunga (Victoria) Hardness 2014/15: Katunga (Victoria) – Hardness 230mg/L (max) 2016/17: Katunga (Victoria) – Hardness 200mg/L (max) 2017/18: Katunga (Victoria) – Hardness 240mg/L (max) 2018/19: Katunga (Victoria) – Hardness 240mg/L (max) 2019/20: Katunga (Victoria) – Hardness 280mg/L (max) 2020/21: Katunga (Victoria) – Hardness 200mg/L (max) 2023/24: Katunga (Victoria) – Hardness 200mg/L (max), 130mg/L (min) 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 Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) Lead 2005/06: Kings Canyon Lead 0.008mg/L 2006/2007: Kings Canyon Lead 0.009mg/L (95% percentile) 2007/2008: Kings Canyon Lead 0.008mg/L (max) 2008/2009: Kings Canyon Lead 0.01mg/L (max) 2009/2010: Kings Canyon Lead 0.01mg/L (max) 2010/2011: Kings Canyon Lead 0.011mg/L (max) 2011/2012: Kings Canyon Lead 0.006mg/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.” Kings Canyon – Northern Territory – Hardness 2003/04: Kings Canyon Hardness 300mg/L 2004/05: Kings Canyon Hardness 304mg/L 2005/06: Kings Canyon Hardness 312mg/L 2006/07: Kings Canyon Hardness 332mg/L 2007/08: Kings Canyon Hardness 348mg/L 2008/09: Kings Canyon Hardness 360mg/L 2009/10: Kings Canyon Hardness 363mg/L 2010/11: Kings Canyon Hardness 365mg/L 2011/12: Kings Canyon Hardness 371mg/L 2012/13: Kings Canyon Hardness 374mg/L 2013/14: Kings Canyon Hardness 370mg/L 2014/15: Kings Canyon Hardness 359mg/L 2015/16: Kings Canyon Hardness 381mg/L 2016/17: Kings Canyon Hardness 377mg/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 Kings Canyon – Northern Territory – Total Dissolved Solids 2005/06: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 803 mg/L 2008/9: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 821 mg/L 2005/06: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 803 mg/L 2011/12: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 816mg/L 2012/13: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 825mg/L 2016/17: Kings Canyon Total Dissolved Solids 815mg/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 Kings Canyon – (Northern Territory) – Iodide 2006/07: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.395mg/L 2007/08: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.4mg/L 2008/09: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.41mg/L 2009/10: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.41mg/L 2010/11: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.43mg/L 2011/12: Kings Canyon Iodide 0.43mg/L Up to 2011, Iodide had a health guideline of 0.1mg/L. This was increased to 0.5mg/L in 2011. Kings Canyon therefore was exceeding the health guideline for Iodide for much of the 2000’s, than was under the new guideline starting in 2011. Kings Canyon (Northern Territory) – Chloride 2010/11: Kings Canyon Chloride 261mg/L 2011/12: Kings Canyon Chloride 265mg/L 2012/13: Kings Canyon Chloride 253mg/L 2015/16: Kings Canyon Chloride 263mg/L 2016/17: Kings Canyon Chloride 261mg/L “Chloride is present in natural waters from the dissolution of salt deposits, and contamination from effluent disposal. Sodium chloride is widely used in the production of industrial chemicals such as caustic soda, chlorine, and sodium chlorite and hypochlorite. Potassium chloride is used in the production of fertilisers. The taste threshold of chloride in water is dependent on the associated cation but is in the range 200–300 mg/L. The chloride content of water can affect corrosion of pipes and fittings. It can also affect the solubility of metal ions. In surface water, the concentration of chloride is usually less than 100 mg/L and frequently below 10 mg/L. Groundwater can have higher concentrations, particularly if there is salt water intrusion. Based on aesthetic considerations, the chloride concentration in drinking water should not exceed 250 mg/L. No health-based guideline value is proposed for chloride.” 2011 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines