Lal Lal (Victoria) Lead
9 October 2015: (28 days) Lal Lal customer tap (Ballarat system) Lead – 0.027 mg/L Lal Lal reticulation. (Ballarat system)
2017/18: Lal Lal Lead 0.008mg/L (max)
An elevated lead result was detected in a routine sample taken at a single connection in the locality. Residence was unoccupied with no water use at the time of sampling. A range of follow up investigational samples were taken including first flush standing water. No obvious signs of corrosion or old lead fittings were identified. A number of service components including the meter and connector elbow replaced as a precaution. No further elevated lead detections at the address or surrounding locations were identified. Informed DHHS of investigations, corrective actions and sample results.
2017/18: Lal Lal Lead 0.008mg/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.”
Lal Lal – Victoria – Hardness
2008/09: Lal Lal (Victoria) – Hardness 280mg/L (Highest Detection Only)
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
Lal Lal (Victoria) – pH (alkaline)
2020/21: Lal Lal (Victoria) 8.6pH (av)
Based on the need to reduce corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings, the pH of
drinking water should be between 6.5 and 8.5.
New concrete tanks and cement-mortar lined pipes can significantly increase pH and
a value up to 9.2 may be tolerated, provided monitoring indicates no deterioration in
microbiological quality.
pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of water. It is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, greater than 7 is alkaline, and less than 7 is acidic.