2011/16 + 2023: Monash (South Australia) – Trihalomethanes, Dichloroacetic Acid, Total Haloacetic Acids, Chloropicrin

Monash (South Australia) – Trihalomethanes

Breaches to Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Levels Only

12/01/2011 Monash  Corney Street Trihalomethanes – Total 253 ug/L

16/11/2016 Monash  Corney Street Trihalomethanes – Total 265 ug/L

14/12/2016 Monash  Corney Street Trihalomethanes – Total 254 ug/L

Trihalomethanes Australian Guideline Level 250μg/L (0.25mg/L)

Why and how are THMs formed?
“When chlorine is added to water with organic material, such as algae, river weeds, and decaying leaves, THMs are formed. Residual chlorine molecules react with this harmless organic material to form a group of chlorinated chemical compounds, THMs. They are tasteless and odourless, but harmful and potentially toxic. The quantity of by-products formed is determined by several factors, such as the amount and type of organic material present in water, temperature, pH, chlorine dosage, contact time available for chlorine, and bromide concentration in the water. The organic matter in water mainly consists of a) humic substance, which is the organic portion of soil that remains after prolonged microbial decomposition formed by the decay of leaves, wood, and other vegetable matter; and b) fulvic acid, which is a water soluble substance of low molecular weight that is derived from humus”. Source: https://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/in

Monash (South Australia) – Dichloroacetic Acid

September 21 2016 Monash (South Australia) – Dichoroacetic Acid 112ug/L

November 2 2016 Monash (South Australia) – Dichoroacetic Acid 113ug/L

November 16 2016 Monash (South Australia) – Dichoroacetic Acid 111ug/L

Australian Guideline Level: Dichloroacetic Acid 0.100mg/L

“Chloroacetic acids are produced in drinking water as by-products of the reaction between chlorine and naturally occurring humic and fulvic acids. Concentrations reported overseas range up to 0.16mg/L and are typically about half the chloroform concentration. The chloroacetic acids are used commercially as reagents or intermediates in the preparation of a wide variety of chemicals. Monochloroacetic acid can be used as a pre-emergent herbicide, dichloroacetic acid as an ingredient in some pharmaceutical products, and trichloroacetic acid as a herbicide, soil sterilant and antiseptic.” Australian Drinking Water Guidelines – National Health and Medical Research Council

Monash (South Australia) – Total Haloacetic Acids

5/1/23: Monash (South Australia) Total Haloacetic Acids 0.261mg/L (max), 0.1815mg/L (av. 2022/23)

Australian Guidelines Trichloroacetic Acid 0.100mg/L, Dichloroacetic Acid 0.100mg/L

“Chloroacetic acids are produced in drinking water as by-products of the reaction between chlorine and naturally occurring humic and fulvic acids. Concentrations reported overseas range up to 0.16mg/L and are typically about half the chloroform concentration. The chloroacetic acids are used commercially as reagents or intermediates in the preparation of a wide variety of chemicals. Monochloroacetic acid can be used as a pre-emergent herbicide, dichloroacetic acid as an ingredient in some pharmaceutical products, and trichloroacetic acid as a herbicide, soil sterilant and antiseptic.” Australian Drinking Water Guidelines – National Health and Medical Research Council…

2022/23 Monash (South Australia) Chloropicrin

2022/23: Monash (South Australia) Chloropicrin 1.2ug/L (max), 0.6ug/L (av.)

No Guideline level for Chloropicrin

Chloropicrin is formed in water by the reaction of chlorine with humic acids, amino acids,
and nitrophenols. The presence of nitrates increases the amount formed (6). Chloropicrin has
been detected in drinking-water; however, in the presence of reducing agents, it is converted
into chloroform