Areyonga (Northern Territory) – E.coli

2006/07: Areyonga: E.coli. 2 e.coli detections. 95.7% samples passing trigger level

2008/09: Areyonga E.coli  4 Number of e.coli detections. 4 – 6 March, 2009 Incident: Significant levels of E. coli were detected throughout the distribution system, with the higher levels reported downstream in the distribution system.

“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

Areyonga – Northern Territory – Hardness

2007/08: Areyonga Hardness 395mg/L

2008/09: Areyonga Hardness 435mg/L

2009/10: Areyonga Hardness 409mg/L

2010/11: Areyonga Hardness 410mg/L

2013/14: Areyonga Hardness 423mg/L

2015/16: Areyonga Hardness 426mg/L

2016/17: Areyonga Hardness 502mg/L

2020/21: Areyonga Hardness: 600mg/L (max), 500mg/L (av.)

2021/22: Areyonga Hardness: 500mg/L (max), 500mg/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

Areyonga – (Northern Territory) – Iodine

2007/08: Areyonga Iodine 0.16mg/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.

Areyonga – Northern Territory – Total Dissolved Solids

2016/17: Areyonga Total Dissolved Solids 636mg/L

2020/21: Areyonga Total Dissolved Solids: 700mg/L (max), 700mg/L (av.)

2021/22: Areyonga Total Dissolved Solids: 760mg/L (max), 730mg/L (av.)

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