Timber Creek – Northern Territory – Fluoride

2002/05: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.4mg/L

2005/6: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.6mg/L (95th %)

2006/07: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.55mg/L (95th %)

2007/08: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.5mg/L

2008/9: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.6mg/L (95th %)

2011/12: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.4mg/L (95th %)

2012/13: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.3mg/L (95th %)

2013/14: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.3mg/L (95th %)

2014/15: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.3mg/L (95th %)

2015/16: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.6mg/L (95th %)

2016/17: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.5mg/L (95th %)

2018/19: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.5mg/L (95th %)

2019/20: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.5mg/L (95th %)

2020/21: Timber Creek Fluoride 1.3mg/L (av.)

Based on health considerations, the concentration of fluoride in drinking water should not exceed 1.5 mg/L.

“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

Timber Creek – Northern Territory – Hardness

2003/04: Timber Creek Hardness 420mg/L

2004/05: Timber Creek Hardness 421mg/L

2005/06: Timber Creek Hardness 422mg/L

2007/08: Timber Creek Hardness 430mg/L

2008/09: Timber Creek Hardness 428mg/L

2009/10: Timber Creek Hardness 398mg/L

2010/11: Timber Creek Hardness 395mg/L

2011/12: Timber Creek Hardness 398mg/L

2012/13: Timber Creek Hardness 387mg/L

2013/14: Timber Creek Hardness 389mg/L

2014/15: Timber Creek Hardness 395mg/L

2015/16: Timber Creek Hardness 454mg/L

2016/17: Timber Creek Hardness 455mg/L

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

Timber Creek (Northern Territory) – Barium

2007/08: Timber Creek Barium 1.26mg/L

2008/9: Timber Creek Barium 1.76mg/L

2009/10: Timber Creek Barium 1.79mg/L

2010/11: Timber Creek Barium 1.83mg/L

2011/12: Timber Creek Barium 1.88mg/L

Barium: ADWG Guideline 2mg/L. Barium is a machineable metal and exists naturally only in ores containing mixtures of elements.

Timber Creek (Northern Territory) – Nitrate

2020/21: Timber Creek Nitrate 50mg/L

Nitrate: ADWG Guideline 50mg/L. Nitrate is the product of oxygenated nitrogen created from the breakdown of organic matter; lightning strikes; inorganic pesticides; or explosives. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines recommend that nitrate levels between 50-100mg/L are a health consideration for infants less than three months, although levels up to 100mg/L can be safely consumed by adults. Mainly a problem in Northern Territory and some communities in Western Australia. “Cue, Meekatharra, Mount Magnet, New Norcia, Sandstone, Wiluna and Yalgoo have been granted an exemption from compliance with the nitrate guideline by the Department of Health. The water supplied is harmless to adults and children over the age of 3 months of age. Carers of infants younger than three months should seek advice from the Community Health Nurse regarding the use of alternative water sources for the preparation of bottle feeds. The Water Corporation provides bottled water free of charge for this purpose.”