June 30 2015: Sale – E.coli
Sale Water Reticulation. E. coli detected in drinking water (1 organism/100mL)
https://www.gippswater.com.au/application/files/9914/4659/3102/SDWA_Annual_Report_-_2014-15.pdf
February 16 2016: Sale – E.coli
Sale Water Reticulation. E. coli detected in drinking water (8 organism/100mL and 4 organism/100mL). Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Notification under section 22 SDWA. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Notification under section 22 SDWA. Extensive flushing undertaken throughout the reticulation network and additional
monitoring of water quality parameters undertaken during and after the event. Initial positive sample occurred at Sale WTP tower on 16th February 2016. Pre flush resampling on the 17
th February was all clear of E.coli however a second positive sample occurred after post flush resampling on the 17th February 2016 at extremity of reticulated water system. Follow up pre and post flush resampling on the 18th February 2016 was all clear
All subsequent reticulation monitoring was compliant. A thorough investigation was
undertaken and the Sale WTP tower sample points was relocated due to contamination risk.
Refresher training of sampling staff undertaken.
https://www.gippswater.com.au/application/files/7114/7752/4332/SDWA_Annual_Report_on_Drinking_Water_Quality_2015-2016_.pdf
Escherichia coli should not be detected in any 100 mL sample of drinking water. If detected
in drinking water, immediate action should be taken including investigation of potential
sources of faecal contamination.
“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 2011