2015/19 – Jandowae (Queensland) – E.coli, Placticiser, Chloroacetic Acids, Hardness, Sodium

9/11/15: Jandowae – E.coli
On 9th of November 2015, a positive detection of E. coli was recorded from an operational monitoring sample collected from Lion’s Park Jandowae. The chlorine level at the sample location at time of sampling was 0.2mg/L. The chlorine residual in the water tower was 0.3mg/l at the time.
https://www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Drinking-Water-Quality-Management-Plan-Annual-Report-2015-2016.pdf

“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

Jandowae (Queensland)

2015/16: N-Butyl-Benzenesulfonamide 12ug/L (maximum), 2.93ug/L av.

Western Downs Regional Council Drinking Water Quality Management Plan 2015/16

N-Butyl benzenesulfonamide (NBBS), a plasticizer used commercially in the polymerization of polyamide compounds. It is neurotoxic and has been found to induce spastic myelopathy in rabbits.

Jandowae (Queensland) – Chloroacetic Acids

22/1/19: Jandowae (Queensland) – Dichloroacetic Acid 100ug/L

22/1/19: Jandowae (Queensland) – Trichloroacetic Acid 100ug/L

16/4/19: Jandowae (Queensland) – Dichloroacetic Acid 130ug/L

16/4/19: Jandowae (Queensland) – Trichloroacetic Acid 200ug/L

Australian Guidelines Trichloroacetic Acid 0.100mg/L, Dichloroacetic Acid 0.100mg/L

“Chloroacetic acids are produced in drinking water as by-products of the reaction between chlorine and naturally occurring humic and fulvic acids. Concentrations reported overseas range up to 0.16mg/L and are typically about half the chloroform concentration. The chloroacetic acids are used commercially as reagents or intermediates in the preparation of a wide variety of chemicals. Monochloroacetic acid can be used as a pre-emergent herbicide, dichloroacetic acid as an ingredient in some pharmaceutical products, and trichloroacetic acid as a herbicide, soil sterilant and antiseptic.” Australian Drinking Water Guidelines – National Health and Medical Research Council…

Jandowae – Queensland – Hardness

2015/16: Jandowae (Queensland) – Hardness 218mg/L (Highest Detection)

2016/17: Jandowae (Queensland) – Hardness 433mg/L (Highest Detection)

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

2015/18 – Jandowae – (Queensland) – Sodium

2015/16:  Jandowae (Queensland)  Sodium 177mg/L (high)

2017/18: Jandowae (Queensland) Sodium 1/50 non-compliant samples

“Based on aesthetic considerations (taste), the concentration of sodium in drinking water
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