2014/18: Burdekin Falls Dam (Queensland) – Turbidity

2014/15: Burdekin Falls Dam (Queensland) Turbidity 32.07 NTU (max), 1.44 NTU (mean)

2017/18: Burdekin Falls Dam (Queensland) Eight (8) instances where treated water turbidity exceeded the DWQMP aesthetic limit of 5 NTU.

31/7/2017 – Burdekin Falls Dam WTP – Alternative potable water provided to customers due to operational issues resulting in high turbidity.

Burdekin Falls Dam WTP – Operational issues resulting in high turbidity (6/8/2017 – 18/8/2017)

On 6/8/2017 operational issues at the Burdekin Falls Dam WTP resulted in elevated turbidity being produced by the WTP. This situation was managed by providing bottled water to the SunWater staff and visitors to the caravan park. Water was not supplied to customers until the water quality was returned to acceptable levels and confirmed with microbiological samples. Supply from the WTP was resumed on 18/8/2017.

Sun Water Drinking Water Quality Management Plan 2017-18

Australian Drinking Water Guideline 5NTU

Chlorine-resistant pathogen reduction: Where filtration alone is used as the water treatment
process to address identified risks from Cryptosporidium and Giardia, it is essential
that filtration is optimised and consequently the target for the turbidity of water leaving
individual filters should be less than 0.2 NTU, and should not exceed 0.5 NTU at any time
Disinfection: A turbidity of less than 1 NTU is desirable at the time of disinfection with
chlorine unless a higher value can be validated in a specific context.