Incident Description: The first non-compliance was a detection of E. coli from a routine sample taken on 1/09/2015 at Lion’s Park, Biloela. 1 E. coli organism per 100 mL was detected, with a disinfection residual of 0.19 mg/L.
The second non-compliance was a detection of E. coli from a routine sample taken on 4/01/2016 at Stopford St median, Baralaba. 5 E. coli organisms per 100 mL were detected, with a disinfection residual of 0.07 mg/L.
“Coliforms are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of aerobic and facultative anaerobic growth in the presence of bile salts or other surface active agents with similar growth-inhibiting properties. They are found in large numbers in the faeces of humans and other warm-blooded animals, but many species also occur in the environment.
Thermotolerant coliforms are a sub-group of coliforms that are able to grow at 44.5 ± 0.2°C. E. coli is the most common thermotolerant coliform present in faeces and is regarded as the most specific indicator of recent faecal contamination because generally it is not capable of growth in the environment. In contrast, some other thermotolerant coliforms (including strains of Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Enterobacter) are able to grow in the environment and their presence is not necessarily related to faecal contamination. While tests for thermotolerant coliforms can be simpler than for E. coli, E. coli is considered a superior indicator for detecting faecal contamination…” ADWG
2017/18: Biloela (Queensland) Pesticides, Pesticide Metabolites, Anti-corrosion agents, Anti-depressant drugs
Biloela Bore Water
Chlordene-1-hydroxy (metabolite of Chlordane or Heptachlor?): 4.1ug/L (max), 0.66ug/L (av.)
Chlordene-1-hydroxy epoxide (metabolite of Chlordane or Heptachlor?): 0.4ug/L (max), 0.22ug/L (av.)
Dicofol: 3.2ug/L (max), 2.98ug/L (av.)
Endosulfan (Total): 1.5ug/L (max), 1.41ug/L (av.)
1-H-Benzotriazole (anti-corrosive/aircraft de-icer/pesticide precursor): 1.5ug/L (max), 1.41ug/L (av.)
1-H-Benzotriazole S-Methyl (anti-corrosive/aircraft de-icer/pesticide precursor): 1ug/L (max), 0.47ug/L (av.)
Moclobemide (anti depressant drug): 2.1ug/L (max), 1.98ug/L (av.)
Oxadiazon: 0.4ug/L (max), 0.21ug/L (av.)
2017/18: Biloela (Queensland)
Biloela Raw Dam
Chlordene-1-hydroxy (metabolite of Chlordane or Heptachlor?): 1.9ug/L (max), 1.05ug/L (av.)
1-H-Benzotriazole S-Methyl: 1.9ug/L (max), 1.15ug/L (av.)
2017/18: Biloela (Queensland)
Biloela Potable
Chlordene-1-hydroxy (metabolite of Chlordane or Heptachlor?): 1.9ug/L (max), 0.54ug/L (av.)
Dicofol: 3.2ug/L (max), 2.98ug/L (av.)
Endosulfan (Total): 1.5ug/L (max), 1.41ug/L (av.)
1-H-Benzotriazole (anti-corrosive/aircraft de-icer/pesticide precursor): 1.5ug/L (max), 1.41ug/L (av.)
1-H-Benzotriazole S-Methyl (anti-corrosive/aircraft de-icer/pesticide precursor): 1.9ug/L (max), 0.7ug/L (av.)
Moclobemide (anti depressant drug): 2.1ug/L (max), 1.98ug/L (av.)
Oxadiazon: 0.4ug/L (max), 0.24ug/L (av.)
Biloela (Queensland) – Turbidity
2015 Apr-June: Biloela (Queensland) – Turbidity 17 NTU (Maximum detection during year)
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.
Aesthetic: Based on aesthetic considerations, the turbidity should not exceed 5 NTU at the
consumer’s tap
What’s going on with Biloela and Baralaba’s tap water?
17 Feb 2017
https://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/whats-going-on-with-biloela-and-baralabas-tap-wate/3144846/
DISCOLOURED water flowing from a small number of household taps in Biloela and Baralaba does not pose a health threat, Banana Shire Council has assured.
The council acknowledged there were areas in these towns where the water coming from taps appeared discoloured and in some cases was carrying a weedy odour or taste and said staff were working to rectify the problem as quickly as possible.
The discolouration was caused by the presence of manganese that had entered the water pipeline network.
Water services manager Anthony Lipsys said the recent period of extreme hot weather had resulted in a significant increase in water usage.
“Last Sunday, 5.8 million litres of water was used in Biloela,” Mr Lipsys said.
“The higher flows of water have dislodged and stirred up a lot of sediment (including manganese) that has settled in the water mains system over a long period of time.”
Council services director John McDougall stressed there was no health risk associated with the discoloured water.
“Drinking water being distributed through the network is meeting all the Australian drinking water quality guidelines,” Mr McDougall said.
“No doubt some of the aesthetic qualities of the water, like colour, taste and odour, are being impacted but it is safe to drink.”
Mr McDougall said the quality of water was tested multiple times a day at various sites by council staff, with samples sent off to Queensland Health in some cases every week.
“If there was a health-related issue, action would be taken immediately and the community would be notified,” he said.
“This is something we are required to do by law.”
Mr Lipsys said the discoloured water usually cleared if the tap water flowed for several minutes.
“However, if the discoloured water does not clear, people are asked to report the matter to council.”
Mr McDougall said flushing mains in the vicinity of properties where discoloured water had been reported had been effective in alleviating the problem.
“We have also introduced a reservoir cleaning program and air-scouring program to help remove sediment from the water mains,” he said.
“The frequency of air-scouring is being reviewed and will be brought forward.
“Council has also been systematically replacing sections of the aging water mains network in Biloela.
“The ability for council to go out and spend $20 million to upgrade every main in town was impossible in the current economic climate.
“However, we have been carrying out mains replacements in towns where we have a water scheme over the past few years and we have a plan for this to continue over the next 10 years in line with our asset management plans.”
Mr McDougall reiterated the problem may persist for a short period but stressed that the drinking water system is safe.
People with concerns about the quality of their water can phone the Banana Shire Council on 4992 9500 or email enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au.
What is manganese?
- Manganese is a naturally occurring element that can impart undesirable taste and odour in drinking water.
- Higher levels of manganese exist in water where oxygen levels are low.
- Water pumped from Callide Dam is drawn from the deepest section of the dam, where oxygen levels are lower.