Australian Drinking Water Map

Burnie Pet River (Tasmania) – E.coli

january 5 2016: Burnie Pet River (Tasmania) Cadbury’s sample point – 1 MPN100/mL

 

 

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

Burnie – (Tasmania) – Chorella (algae)

February 9 2016: Burnie – C.W.S. Outlet Chorella 200 cells m/L

Burnie Chorella (algae)

Burnie Pet River (Tasmania) – Chlorine Residual

July 7 2015: Burnie (Tasmania) C.W.S. Outlet Chlorine Residual 6.1mg/L

Based on health considerations, the guideline value for total chlorine in drinking water is 5 mg/L.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Chlorine dissociates in water to form free chlorine, which consists of aqueous molecular chlorine, hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion. Chlorine and hypochlorites are toxic to microorganisms and are used extensively as disinfectants for drinking water supplies. Chlorine is also used to disinfect sewage and wastewater, swimming pool water, in-plant supplies, and industrial cooling water.

Chlorine has an odour threshold in drinking water of about 0.6 mg/L, but some people are particularly sensitive and can detect amounts as low as 0.2 mg/L. Water authorities may need to exceed the odour threshold value of 0.6 mg/L in order to maintain an effective disinfectant residual.

In the food industry, chlorine and hypochlorites are used for general sanitation and for odour control. Large amounts of chlorine are used in the production of industrial and domestic disinfectants and bleaches, and it is used in the synthesis of a large range of chemical compounds.

Free chlorine reacts with ammonia and certain nitrogen compounds to form combined chlorine. With ammonia, chlorine forms chloramines (monochloramine, dichloramine and nitrogen trichloride or trichloramine) (APHA 2012). Chloramines are used for disinfection but are weaker oxidising agents than free chlorine.

Free chlorine and combined chlorine may be present simultaneously (APHA 2012). The term totalchlorine refers to the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine present in a sample.

Chlorine (Free) ADWG Guideline: 5mg/L (Chlorine in chloraminated supplies 4.1mg/L). Chlorine dissociates in water to form free chlorine, which consists of aqueous molecular chlorine, hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion.

Chlorine (Total) ADWG Guideline 5mg/L (chloraminated supplies 4.1mg/L): The term total chlorine refers to the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine present in a sample

Burnie (Tasmania) – Copper

April 19 2016: Burnie (Tasmania) Scarfe St – Copper 1.050mg/L

Based on health considerations, the concentration of copper in drinking water should not
exceed 2 mg/L.
Based on aesthetic considerations, the concentration of copper in drinking water should
not exceed 1 mg/L.

Copper is widely distributed in rocks and soils as carbonate and sulfide minerals.

Copper is relatively resistant to corrosion and is used in domestic water supply pipes and fittings. It is also used in the electroplating and chemical industries, and in many household goods. Copper sulfate is used extensively to control the growth of algae in water storages.

Copper is present in uncontaminated surface waters at very low concentrations, usually less than 0.01 mg/L. The concentration can rise substantially when water with a low pH and hardness remains in stagnant contact with copper pipes and fittings. Under these conditions, the concentration of copper can reach 5 mg/L or higher. In one extreme case overseas, a concentration of 22 mg/L was reported.

Burnie (Pet River) – Tasmania – Turbidity

2016/17: Burnie Pet River (Tasmania) – Turbidity 8.67 NTU (max), 0.7 NTU (mean)

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.

Burnie  (Tasmania) – Chloroketones 

23/7/24: Burnie (Tasmania): 1,1,1-trichloropropanone 1.3ug/L

Data are inadequate to set guideline values for chloroketones in drinking water. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The chloroketones are produced in drinking water as by-products of the reaction between naturally occurring organic matter and chlorine. No data are available on other sources or uses for these compounds. Concentrations of chloroketones in drinking water reported overseas are very low and are estimated at less than 0.01 mg/L.

TYPICAL VALUES IN AUSTRALIAN DRINKING WATER In major Australian reticulated supplies 1,1,1-trichloropropanone has been recorded in concentrations up to 0.02 mg/L, but it is usually below the limit of determination of 0.0005 mg/L. No data are available for other chloroketones.

LIMITING FORMATION IN DRINKING WATER The presence of chloroketones in drinking water can be minimised by removing naturally occurring organic matter from the source water, by reducing the amount of chlorine added, or by the use of alternative disinfectants.” 2011 ADWG

Burnie (Tasmania) – Haloacetonitriles 

10/7/24: Burnie (Tasmania) – Bromochloroacetonitrile 2ug/L, Dibromoacetonitrile 1.8ug/L

23/7/24: Dichloroacetonitrile 1.3ug/L

“GUIDELINE
Data are inadequate to set guideline values for haloacetonitriles in drinking water
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Haloacetonitriles are formed from organic precursors during chlorination or chloramination of drinking  water. Concentrations of dihaloacetonitriles reported overseas range up to 0.04 mg/L but are typically  less than 0.003 mg/L. Concentrations of trichloroacetonitrile are less than 0.001 mg/L.
Trichloroacetonitrile has been used as an insecticide. No data are available on uses for the other haloacetonitriles.
TYPICAL VALUES IN AUSTRALIAN DRINKING WATER
No data are available on concentrations of haloacetonitriles in Australian drinking waters”. ADWG 2011

 

2016/17 + 2021/24: Burnie (Pet River) – E.coli, Algae, Chlorine, Copper, Turbidity, pH, Chloroketones, Haloacetonitriles

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Burnie Pet River (Tasmania) – E.coli january 5 2016: Burnie Pet River (Tasmania) Cadbury’s sample point – 1 MPN100/mL 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 Burnie – (Tasmania) – Chorella (algae) February 9 2016: Burnie – C.W.S. Outlet Chorella 200 cells m/L Burnie Chorella (algae) Burnie Pet River (Tasmania) – Chlorine Residual July 7 2015: Burnie (Tasmania) C.W.S. Outlet Chlorine Residual 6.1mg/L Based on health considerations, the guideline value for total chlorine in drinking water is 5 mg/L. GENERAL DESCRIPTION Chlorine dissociates in water to form free chlorine, which consists of aqueous molecular chlorine, hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion. Chlorine and hypochlorites are toxic to microorganisms and are used extensively as disinfectants for drinking water supplies. Chlorine is also used to disinfect sewage and wastewater, swimming pool water, in-plant supplies, and industrial cooling water. Chlorine has an odour threshold in drinking water of about 0.6 mg/L, but some people are particularly sensitive and can detect amounts as low as 0.2 mg/L. Water authorities may need to exceed the odour threshold value of 0.6 mg/L in order to maintain an effective disinfectant residual. In the food industry, chlorine and hypochlorites are used for general sanitation and for odour control. Large amounts of chlorine are used in the production of industrial and domestic disinfectants and bleaches, and it is used in the synthesis of a large range of chemical compounds. Free chlorine reacts with ammonia and certain nitrogen compounds to form combined chlorine. With ammonia, chlorine forms chloramines (monochloramine, dichloramine and nitrogen trichloride or trichloramine) (APHA 2012). Chloramines are used for disinfection but are weaker oxidising agents than free chlorine. Free chlorine and combined chlorine may be present simultaneously (APHA 2012). The term totalchlorine refers to the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine present in a sample. Chlorine (Free) ADWG Guideline: 5mg/L (Chlorine in chloraminated supplies 4.1mg/L). Chlorine dissociates in water to form free chlorine, which consists of aqueous molecular chlorine, hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion. Chlorine (Total) ADWG Guideline 5mg/L (chloraminated supplies 4.1mg/L): The term total chlorine refers to the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine present in a sample Burnie (Tasmania) – Copper April 19 2016: Burnie (Tasmania) Scarfe St – Copper 1.050mg/L Based on health considerations, the concentration of copper in drinking water should not exceed 2 mg/L. Based on aesthetic considerations, the concentration of copper in drinking water should not exceed 1 mg/L. Copper is widely distributed in rocks and soils as carbonate and sulfide minerals. Copper is relatively resistant to corrosion and is used in domestic water supply pipes and fittings. It is also used in the electroplating and chemical industries, and in many household goods. Copper sulfate is used extensively to control the growth of algae in water storages. Copper is present in uncontaminated surface waters at very low concentrations, usually less than 0.01 mg/L. The concentration can rise substantially when water with a low pH and hardness remains in stagnant contact with copper pipes and fittings. Under these conditions, the concentration of copper can reach 5 mg/L or higher. In one extreme case overseas, a concentration of 22 mg/L was reported. Burnie (Pet River) – Tasmania – Turbidity 2016/17: Burnie Pet River (Tasmania) – Turbidity 8.67 NTU (max), 0.7 NTU (mean) 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. Pet River (Tasmania) – pH (alkaline) 2021/22: Pet River (Tasmania) pH 7.66 (mean) 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. Burnie  (Tasmania) – Chloroketones  23/7/24: Burnie (Tasmania): 1,1,1-trichloropropanone 1.3ug/L Data are inadequate to set guideline values for chloroketones in drinking water. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The chloroketones are produced in drinking water as by-products of the reaction between naturally occurring organic matter and chlorine. No data are available on other sources or uses for these compounds. Concentrations of chloroketones in drinking water reported overseas are very low and are estimated at less than 0.01 mg/L. TYPICAL VALUES IN AUSTRALIAN DRINKING WATER In major Australian reticulated supplies 1,1,1-trichloropropanone has been recorded in concentrations up to 0.02 mg/L, but it is usually below the limit of determination of 0.0005 mg/L. No data are available for other chloroketones. LIMITING FORMATION IN DRINKING WATER The presence of chloroketones in drinking water can be minimised by removing naturally occurring organic matter from the source water, by reducing the amount of chlorine added, or by the use of alternative disinfectants.” 2011 ADWG Burnie (Tasmania) – Haloacetonitriles  10/7/24: Burnie (Tasmania) – Bromochloroacetonitrile 2ug/L, Dibromoacetonitrile 1.8ug/L 23/7/24: Dichloroacetonitrile 1.3ug/L “GUIDELINE Data are inadequate to set guideline values for haloacetonitriles in drinking water GENERAL DESCRIPTION Haloacetonitriles are formed from organic precursors during chlorination or chloramination of drinking  water. Concentrations of dihaloacetonitriles reported overseas range up to 0.04 mg/L but are typically  less than 0.003 mg/L. Concentrations of trichloroacetonitrile are less than 0.001 mg/L. Trichloroacetonitrile has been used as an insecticide. No data are available on uses for the other haloacetonitriles. TYPICAL VALUES IN AUSTRALIAN DRINKING WATER No data are available on concentrations of haloacetonitriles in Australian drinking waters”. ADWG 2011