2007/22: Nturiya (Northern Territory). Uranium, Nitrate, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Chloride, Iodine, Sodium

Nturiya (Northern Territory) – Uranium

(highest levels only)

2008/09: Nturiya Uranium 0.02mg/L (95th %)

2010/11: Nturiya Uranium 0.015mg/L

2013/14: Nturiya Uranium 0.014mg/L

2016/17: Nturiya Uranium 0.015mg/L

2017/18: Nturiya Uranium 0.016mg/L

2019/20: Nturiya Uranium 0.016mg/L

2020/21: Nturiya Uranium 0.016mg/L

“Based on health considerations, the concentration of uranium in drinking water should not exceed 0.017 mg/L.” ADWG 2011

Nturiya (Northern Territory) – Nitrate

2008/09: Nturiya (Northern Territory) Nitrate 44.6?mg/L (av.)

2011/16: Nturiya (Northern Territory) Nitrate 42mg/L (av.)

2017/18: Nturiya (Northern Territory) Nitrate 50mg/L (95th %)

2018/19: Nturiya (Northern Territory) Nitrate 50mg/L (95th %)

2020/21: Nturiya (Northern Territory) Nitrate 50mg/L (max), 50mg/L (av.)

2021/22: Nturiya (Northern Territory) Nitrate 50mg/L (max), 50mg/L (av.)

Excessive nitrates in the diet reduce blood’s ability to carry oxygen. In infants, this can cause the potentially life-threatening Blue Baby Syndrome, where the skin takes on a bluish colour and the child has trouble breathing. Housing provides bottled water for infants under three months in communities with high nitrates. Long term solutions would likely include asset replacements or upgrades or finding new water sources, or a combination of these.

Child Heath Levels Nitrate: 50mg/L. Adult Heath Levels Nitrate: 100mg/L

Nturiya – Northern Territory – Hardness

2007/08: Nturiya Hardness 311mg/L

2008/09: Nturiya Hardness 334mg/L

2009/10: Nturiya Hardness 285mg/L

2010/11: Nturiya Hardness 303mg/L

2013/14: Nturiya Hardness 304mg/L

2015/16: Nturiya Hardness 354mg/L

2016/17: Nturiya Hardness 297mg/L

2021/22: Nturiya Hardness 400mg/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

Nturiya – Northern Territory – Total Dissolved Solids

2007/08: Nturiya Total Dissolved Solids 1200mg/L

2008/09: Nturiya Total Dissolved Solids 1200mg/L

2010/11: Nturiya Total Dissolved Solids 1150mg/L

2013/14: Nturiya Total Dissolved Solids 1164mg/L

2015/16: Nturiya Total Dissolved Solids 1450mg/L

2016/17: Nturiya Total Dissolved Solids 1200mg/L

2021/22: Nturiya Total Dissolved Solids 1200mg/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

Nturiya (Northern Territory) – Chloride

2007/08: Nturiya Chloride 367mg/L

2008/09: Nturiya Chloride 350mg/L

2013/14: Nturiya Chloride 352mg/L

2015/16: Nturiya Chloride 356mg/L

2016/17: Nturiya Chloride 345mg/L

2021/22: Nturiya Chloride 350mg/L (av.)

“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

Nturiya – (Northern Territory) – Iodine

2007/08: Nturiya Iodine 0.4mg/L

2008/09: Nturiya Iodine 0.331mg/L

2009/10: Nturiya Iodine 0.32mg/L

2009/10: Nturiya Iodine 0.33mg/L

2013/14: Nturiya Iodine 0.3mg/L

2015/16: Nturiya Iodine 0.17mg/L

2016/17: Nturiya Iodine 0.24mg/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.

Nturiya (Northern Territory) – Sodium

2007/08: Nturiya Sodium 265mg/L

2008/09: Nturiya Sodium 253mg/L

2009/10: Nturiya Sodium 208mg/L

2010/11: Nturiya Sodium 221mg/L

2013/14: Nturiya Sodium 230mg/L

2015/16: Nturiya Sodium 411mg/L

2016/17: Nturiya Sodium 270mg/L

2021/22: Nturiya Sodium 260mg/L (av.)

“Based on aesthetic considerations (taste), the concentration of sodium in drinking water
should not exceed 180 mg/L….The sodium ion is widespread in water due to the high solubility of sodium salts and the abundance of mineral deposits. Near coastal areas, windborne sea spray can make an important contribution either by fallout onto land surfaces where it can drain to drinking water sources, or from washout by rain. Apart from saline intrusion and natural contamination, water treatment chemicals, domestic water softeners and
sewage effluent can contribute to the sodium content of drinking water.” ADWG 2011