(Potable system–Non Potable Zone (Bac and Chem)
Mimili (South Australia) – Nitrate
5 August 2014: Mimili (South Australia) – Nitrate + Nitrite as NO3: 89.5mg/L
10 August 2015: Mimili (South Australia) – Nitrate + Nitrite as NO3: 114mg/L
10 August 2015: Mimili TS Drinking Water (South Australia) – Nitrate + Nitrite as NO3: 52.3mg/L
26/8/19: Mimili Nitrate + Nitrite as NO3 45.19mg/L (max), 38.51mg/L (av)
25/2/20: Mimli Nitrate + Nitrite as CO3 65.12mg/L (potable/non-potable)
23/2/21: Mimili Nitrate + Nitrate as NO3 76.2mg/L (Potable System – Non Potable Zone)
8/3/22: Mimili NDW TS Non Potable Nitrate + Nitrite 61.13mg/L (max)
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
Mimili (South Australia) – Fluoride
19 November 2012: Mimili (South Australia) – Fluoride 1.9mg/L
19 August 2013: Mimili (South Australia) – Fluoride 2.1mg/L
5 August 2014: Mimili (South Australia) – Fluoride 2.1mg/L
10 August 2015: Mimili (South Australia) – Fluoride 2.5mg/L
25/2/20: Mimili (South Australia) Fluoride 2.1mg/L
23/2/21: Mimili (South Australia) Fluoride 2.1mg/L
8/3/22: Mimili NDW TS Non Potable Fluoride 2.2mg/L (max)
“Fluoride occurs naturally in seawater (1.4 mg/L), soil (up to 300 parts per million) and air (from volcanic gases and industrial pollution). Naturally occurring fluoride concentrations in drinking water depend on the type of soil and rock through which the water drains. Generally, concentrations in surface water are relatively low (<0.1–0.5 mg/L), while water from deeper wells may have quite high concentrations (1–10 mg/L) if the rock formations are fluoride-rich.” 2011 ADWG. Health Guideline: 1.5mg/L
Mimili (South Australia) – Chloride
19 November 2012: Mimili (South Australia) Chloride 341mg/L
25/2/20: Mimili Chloride 340mg/L (potable/non-potable)
“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
Mimili (South Australia) – Silica
19 August 2013: Mimili (South Australia). Silica 93.3mg/L
5 August 2014: Mimili (South Australia). Silica 86.5mg/L
To minimise an undesirable scale build up on surfaces, silica (SiO2) within drinking waters should not exceed 80 mg/L.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Silica present in water is usually referred to as amorphous silica (i.e. lacking any crystalline structure). When silica is dissolved within water it forms monosilicic acid:
SiO2 + 2H2O à Si(OH)4
When the concentrations of monosilicic acid increase, polymerisation of the silica occurs, forming polysilicic acids followed by formation of colloidal silica. Monosilicic acid and polysilicic acids are the forms of silica analysed when determining dissolved silica content.
The deposition of silica from solutions can occur via various mechanisms. The deposition of silica that can cause the most problems for the water industry is via silica’s ability to deposit on solid surfaces that have hydroxyl (OH) groups present. Surfaces that commonly have hydroxyl groups present are glass and metallic surfaces. For example, dissolved silica will react with the surfaces of glass and begin to form a white precipitate. The silica forms silicates on the surface, resulting in silica build-up. In cases where customer complaints occur due to scale build-up, water hardness and silica concentrations should be investigated to determine the cause.
Silica can be a problem in water treatment due to its ability to cause fouling of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes (Sheikholeslami and Tan, 1999, Ning 2002, Sahachaiyunta and Sheikholeslami 2002). This occurs when the dissolved silica of the concentrate becomes super-saturated, causing silicates to form in the presence of metals, and these deposit on the membrane surface. The silicate then dehydrates, forming hard layers on the membrane that reduce the effectiveness of the process… 2011 ADWG
Mimili (South Australia) – Sodium
19 August 2013: Mimili (South Australia) – Sodium 365mg/L
5 August 2014: Mimili (South Australia) – Sodium 355mg/L
10 August 2015: Mimili (South Australia) – Sodium 419mg/L
10 August 2015: Mimili TS Drinking Water (South Australia) – Sodium 190mg/L
25/2/20: Mimili Sodium 289mg/L
8/3/22: Mimili NDW TS Non Potable Sodium 340mg/L (max)
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
Mimili (South Australia) – Total Dissolved Solids
November 2012 – March 2017: 1006mg/L (average from 5 detections. Four above ADWG)
27/8/19: Mimili Total Dissolved Solids 739mg/L
25/2/20: Mimili Total Dissolved Solids 1070mg/L (potable/non-potable)
8/3/22: Mimili TS NDW Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 1220mg/L (max)
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.
Mimili (South Australia) – Hardness
2012/17: Mimili (South Australia) – Hardness average 203.4mg/L (4 detections out of 5 above guideline)
8/3/22: Mimili TS NDW Non Potable Total Hardness as CaCO3 251mg/L (max)
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.”
Mimili (South Australia)
Monitoring shows that the community water supply comes from two bores, M-1 and M-3. From November 1998 to March 1999 usage exceeded 2800 KL/month (“‘345 L/person/day) from these two bores; the maximum abstraction was in January 1999 and was 3800 KL ( “‘470 L/person/day).
The salinity of these groundwaters is 1050-1090 mg/L TDS with nitrate concentrations of 73-83 mg/L and fluoride concentrations 1.9-2.3 mg/L. These concentrations exceed the levels suggested in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (1996).
Nitrates
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
Total Dissolved Solids
“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.
Fluoride
“Fluoride occurs naturally in seawater (1.4 mg/L), soil (up to 300 parts per million) and air (from volcanic gases and industrial pollution). Naturally occurring fluoride concentrations in drinking water depend on the type of soil and rock through which the water drains. Generally, concentrations in surface water are relatively low (<0.1–0.5 mg/L), while water from deeper wells may have quite high concentrations (1–10 mg/L) if the rock formations are fluoride-rich.” 2011 ADWG. Health Guideline: 1.5mg/L