Lower Lakes (South Australia) – NDMA
The Highest NDMA levels recorded in South Australia 2007-12 were at Keith 140ng/L 17/11/10 and Lower Lakes 130ng/L 24/2/10 and 17/11/10.
Australian Drinking Water Guideline NDMA: 100ng/L (0.1ug/L)
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) can be created through water treatment via cholorination or chloramination or organic nitrogen containing waste water. NDMA is highly toxic and a suspected carcinogen. It was widely discovered in groundwater in California in the late 1970’s as a by-product unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH), which is a component of rocket fuel that requires NDMA for its synthesis. Eight other nitrosamines of interest in drinking and
recycled water are: N-nitrosodiethylamine (MDEA) , N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine (NDPA) , N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine (NDBA) , N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA) , N-nitrosomorpholine (Nmor) , N-nitrosopiperidine (Npip), Nnitrosopyrrolidine (NPyr) and N-nitrosodiphenylamine ((NDPha) .
“More recently, rubber components such as valves and joiners/0-rings that are used in treatment plant pumps and in distribution systems have been found to leach significant levels of nitrosamines into the water supply (Morran etal., 2011). .. In Australia, chloramination is widely practiced and in South Australia the South Australian Water Corporation implemented a routine monitoring program for NDMA in four systems in 2007. From these results it is
clear that the levels in the distribution system vary considerably with time, indicating a seasonal influence due to variations in detention time controlled by demand. There was also evidence of a strong influence of water quality during a period of high flow, colour and turbidity in the river feeding the treatment plants. However, the average concentration of NDMA of more than 750 samples analysed from 2007 to present was low, < 20ng/L. Knight et at. (2011) recently reported nitrosamine data from five drinking water treatment plants in South-East Queensland. Three
of these plants practice chloramination, one uses chlorination, and the other a combination of ozone and chlorine fordisinfection. ” Source: NDMA ATTRACTING INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION The latest news on nitrosamines G Newcombe, J Morran, J Culbert
Lower Lakes (South Australia) – Ammonia
July 5 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.51mg/L
July 19 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.51mg/L
August 16 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.6mg/L
September 13 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.59mg/L
September 26 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.68mg/L
September 26 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.82mg/L
October 11 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.89mg/L
October 11 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 1.08mg/L
October 25 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.62mg/L
October 25 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.75mg/L
November 8 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.73mg/L
November 8 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.88mg/L
November 22 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.69mg/L
November 22 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.83mg/L
December 20 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.53mg/L
December 20 2016 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.64mg/L
January 3 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.58mg/L
January 3 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.7mg/L
January 17 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.57mg/L
January 17 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.69mg/L
January 31 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.55mg/L
January 31 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.67mg/L
February 14 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.54mg/L
February 14 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.65mg/L
February 28 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.58mg/L
February 28 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.7mg/L
March 28 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.54mg/L
April 11 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.57mg/L
April 11 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.69mg/L
April 26 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.88mg/L
April 26 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 1.06mg/L
May 9 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.54mg/L
May 9 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.65mg/L
May 23 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.58mg/L
May 23 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.7mg/L
June 6 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.67mg/L
June 6 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.81mg/L
June 20 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.56mg/L
June 27 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as N 0.83mg/L
June 27 2017 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 1mg/L
2018/19 – Lower Lakes (South Australia) 0.73mg/L (max)
4/2/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Rd & Loveday Rd Intersection) Ammonia 0.51mg/L (max). 2019/20 average: 0.38mg/L
4/2/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Rd & Loveday Rd Intersection) Ammonia free as NH3 0.62mg/L (max). 2019/20 average: 0.46mg/L
1/9/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.5mg/L
15/9/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.52mg/L
29/9/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.52mg/L
30/9/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.63mg/L
13/10/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.58mg/L
16/11/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia Free as N 0.52mg/L
19/1/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia Free as N 0.52mg/L
16/2/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.57mg/L
19/2/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.63mg/L
2/3/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia Free as N 0.55mg/L
2/3/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.67mg/L
16/3/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia Free as N 0.58mg/L
16/3/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.7mg/L
23/3/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.52mg/L
23/3/21: Lower Lakes (Princes Highway) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.91mg/L
30/3/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia Free as N 0.61mg/L
30/3/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.74mg/L
30/3/21: Lower Lakes (Princes Hwy) Ammonia Free as N 0.75mg/L
4/5/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.54mg/L
18/5/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia Free as N 0.5mg/L
18/5/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.6mg/L
1/6/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia Free as N 0.67mg/L
1/6/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.81mg/L
16/6/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) 16/6/21 Ammonia Free as N 0.64mg/L
16/6/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.77mg/L
29/6/21: Lower Lakes (Narrung Road) Ammonia – Free – as NH3 0.58mg/L
31/8/21: Lower Lakes – Narrung Road (South Australia) Ammonia 0.66mg/L
12/10/21: Lower Lakes – Narrung Road (South Australia) Ammonia 0.53mg/L
2/11/21: Lower Lakes – Narrung Road (South Australia) Ammonia 0.55mg/L
1/12/21: Lower Lakes – Narrung Road (South Australia) Ammonia 0.54mg/L
15/6/22: Lower Lakes – Narrung Road (South Australia) Ammonia 0.74mg/L
2022/23: Lower Lakes – Narrung Road (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.9mg/L (max), 0.57mg/L (av.)
2022/23: Lower Lakes – Cnr Poltalloch/Princes Hwy (South Australia) Ammonia Free as NH3 0.68mg/L (max), 0.435mg/L (av.)
Based on aesthetic considerations (corrosion of copper pipes and fittings), the concentration
of ammonia (measured as ammonia) in drinking water should not exceed 0.5 mg/L.
No health-based guideline value is set for ammonia.
“…Most uncontaminated source waters have ammonia concentrations below 0.2 mg/L. High concentrations (greater than 10 mg/L) have been reported where water is contaminated with animal waste. Ammonia is unlikely to be detected in chlorinated supplies as it reacts quickly with free chlorine. Ammonia in water can result in the corrosion of copper pipes and fittings, causing copper stains on sanitary ware. It is also a food source for some microorganisms, and can support nuisance growths of bacteria and algae, often with a resultant increase in the nitrite concentration.” ADWG 2011
Lower Lakes (South Australia) – pH (alkaline)
2019/20: Lower Lakes (Narrung Rd & Loveday Rd Intersection) pH (average) 8.49pH units (8.9pH max.)
2019/20: Lower Lakes (Princes Hwy & Poltallach Rd sw corner) pH (average) 8.46pH units (8.7pH max.)
2022/23: Lower Lakes (Narrung Rd & Loveday Rd Intersection) pH (average) 8.71pH units
Based on the need to reduce corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings, the pH of
drinking water should be between 6.5 and 8.5.
New concrete tanks and cement-mortar lined pipes can significantly increase pH and
a value up to 9.2 may be tolerated, provided monitoring indicates no deterioration in
microbiological quality.
pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of water. It is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, greater than 7 is alkaline, and less than 7 is acidic.
One of the major objectives in controlling pH is to minimise corrosion and encrustation in pipes and fittings. Corrosion can be reduced by the formation of a protective layer of calcium carbonate on the inside of the pipe or fitting, and the formation of this layer is affected by pH, temperature, the availability of calcium (hardness) and carbon dioxide. If the water is too alkaline (above pH 8.5), the rapid deposition and build-up of calcium carbonate that can result may eventually block the pipe.