Hammond Town Supply – South Australia E.coli
NON POTABLE DRINKING WATER
May 2017: Hammond (South Australia) – E.coli 1 MPN/100ml
29/8/23: Hammond (South Australia) – E.coli 22 MPN/100ml
27/11/23: Hammond (South Australia) – E.coli 1 MPN/100ml
20/5/24: Hammond (South Australia) – E.coli 2 MPN/100ml
27/11/24: Hammond (South Australia) – E.coli 2 MPN/100ml
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
Hammond (South Australia) – Lead
14/2/22: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Lead 14/2/22 0.0148mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 0.05mg/L)
27/11/24: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Lead 0.0319mg/L (av. 2024/25 0.009mg/L)
Lead Australian Drinking Water Guideline 0.005mg/L (changed from 0.01mg/L in 2025)
“… Lead can be present in drinking water as a result of dissolution from natural sources, or from household plumbing systems containing lead. These may include lead in pipes, or in solder used to seal joints. The amount of lead dissolved will depend on a number of factors including pH, water hardness and the standing time of the water.
Lead is the most common of the heavy metals and is mined widely throughout the world. It is used in the production of lead acid batteries, solder, alloys, cable sheathing, paint pigments, rust inhibitors, ammunition, glazes and plastic stabilisers. The organo-lead compounds tetramethyl and tetraethyl lead are used extensively as anti-knock and lubricating compounds in gasoline…ADWG 2011
Hammond (South Australia) – Non Potable
19/2/24: Hammond Town Supply Gross Alpha Activity 0.7 +-0.15 (Bq/L)
Radionuclides (Other beta- and gamma-emitting)
GUIDELINE
No specific guideline values are set for beta- or gamma-emitting radionuclides.
Specific beta- or gamma-emitting radionuclides should be identified and determined only
if gross beta radioactivity (after subtracting the contribution of potassium-40) exceeds 0.5 Bq/L (27.6 Bq of beta activity per gram of stable potassium).
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Several radionuclides that are classified as beta-particle or gamma-ray emitters may occasionally be present in drinking water. The significant long-lived nuclides in this group are the naturally occurring isotopes potassium-40, lead-210 and radium-228, and artificial radionuclides caesium-137 and strontium-90. Tritium, another nuclide in this group, is present in the environment both from natural sources and as a result of nuclear fall-out and nuclear power generation.
Levels of strontium-90 and caesium-137 in the Australian environment have decreased substantially since atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons ceased, and these radionuclides are not detectable in drinking water. In the absence of a nuclear power industry in Australia, these nuclides are likely to be present in significant concentrations in drinking water only as a result of transient contamination following an event such as a nuclear accident.
Potassium‑40 occurs naturally in a fixed ratio to stable potassium. Potassium is an essential element for humans, and is absorbed mainly from ingested food. Potassium-40 does not accumulate in the body but is maintained at a constant level independent of intake. The average concentration of potassium in an adult male is about 2 g/kg of bodyweight, which gives an activity mass concentration of potassium-40 of 60 Bq per kg of bodyweight. The corresponding value for females is slightly less.
Lead-210, like radium-226, is a decay product of the uranium-238 series. Food is the most important route by which lead-210 enters the human body, and the annual intake depends on diet: highest concentrations are found in fish and other aquatic species. Generally, lead-210 concentrations in drinking water are considerably less than concentrations of either radium-226 or radium-228.
TYPICAL VALUES IN AUSTRALIAN DRINKING WATER
Concentrations of potassium-40 in Australian drinking water supplies vary widely, from below 0.05 Bq/L in surface water sources to more that 1 Bq/L in some supplies drawn from groundwater.
There are only limited data on concentrations of other beta- or gamma-emitting radionuclides such as lead-210, strontium-90 and caesium-137 in Australian drinking water supplies. Lead-210 concentrations are probably below 0.05 Bq/L and concentrations of artificial radionuclides are negligible.
Hammond Town Supply – South Australia Hardness
November 2016: Hammond (South Australia) – Calcium Hardness 345mg/L
16/12/19: Hammond Town Supply Hardness 345mg/L (non-potable)
16/12/19: Hammond Town Supply Total Hardness 966mg/L (max) Non-potable
29/11/21: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Calcium Hardness as CaCO3 332mg/L (max)
27/11/24: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Calcium Hardness as CaCO3 337mg/L (max)
“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
Hammond Town Supply – South Australia – Chloride
November 2016: Hammond Town Supply (South Australia) – Chloride 1570mg/L
16/12/19: Hammond Town Supply Chloride 1640mg/L (non-potable)
29/11/21: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Chloride 1610mg/L (max)
27/11/24: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Chloride 1760mg/L (max)
Based on aesthetic considerations, the chloride concentration in drinking water should not
exceed 250 mg/L.
Chloride is present in natural waters from the dissolution of salt deposits, and contamination from effluent disposal.
Sodium chloride is widely used in the production of industrial chemicals such as caustic soda, chlorine, and sodium chlorite and hypochlorite. Potassium chloride is used in the production of fertilisers.
The taste threshold of chloride in water is dependent on the associated cation but is in the range 200–300 mg/L. The chloride content of water can affect corrosion of pipes and fittings. It can also affect the solubility of metal ions.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011
Hammond Town Supply – South Australia – Sodium
November 2016: Hammond (South Australia) – Sodium 934mg/L
16/12/19: Hammond Town Supply Sodium 899mg/L (max) Non-potable
29/11/21: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Sodium 915mg/L (max)
27/11/24: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Sodium 956mg/L (max)
“Based on aesthetic considerations (taste), the concentration of sodium in drinking water
should not exceed 180 mg/L.
No health-based guideline value is proposed for sodium. Medical practitioners treating
people with severe hypertension or congestive heart failure should be aware if the sodium
concentration in the patient’s drinking water exceeds 20 mg/L.”
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011
Hammond Town Supply – South Australia – Sulphate
2019/20: Hammond Town Supply Sulphate 435mg/L (max), 395.25mg/L (av.) Non-potable
14/2/22: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Sulphate 393mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 384mg/L)
24/2/25: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Sulphate 459mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 422.25mg/L)
Based on aesthetic considerations (taste), the concentration of sulfate in drinking water
should not exceed 250 mg/L. Purgative effects may occur if the concentration exceeds 500 mg/L.
Sulfate occurs naturally in a number of minerals, and is used commercially in the manufacture of numerous products including chemicals, dyes, glass, paper, soaps, textiles, fungicides and insecticides. Sulfate, including sulfuric acid, is also used in mining, pulping, and the metal and plating industries. Barium sulfate is used as a lubricant in drilling rigs for groundwater supply.
In the water industry, aluminium sulfate (alum) is used as a flocculant in water treatment, and copper sulfate is used for the control of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in water storages…
The taste threshold for sulfate is in the range 250–500 mg/L. Under anoxic conditions, the reduction of sulfate to sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria can result in unpleasant taste and odour due to the release of hydrogen sulfide, and can increase corrosion in pipes.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011
Hammond – South Australia – Temperature
November 29 2016: Blinman (South Australia) – Temperature 24C
February 20 2016: Blinman (South Australia) – Temperature 26C
Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Temperature 14/2/22-21/3/22 >20C. 21/3/21 25C (max)
“No guideline is set due to the impracticality of controlling water temperature.
Drinking water temperatures above 20°C may result in an increase in the number of
complaints.
Temperature is primarily an aesthetic criterion for drinking water. Generally, cool water is more palatable than warm or cold water. In general, consumers will react to a change in water temperature. Complaints are most frequent when the temperature suddenly increases.
The turbidity and colour of filtered water may be indirectly affected by temperature, as low water temperatures tend to decrease the efficiency of water treatment processes by, for instance, affecting floc formation rates and sedimentation efficiency.
Chemical reaction rates increase with temperature, and this can lead to greater corrosion of pipes and fittings in closed systems. Scale formation in hard waters will also be greater at higher temperatures…
Water temperatures in major Australian reticulated supplies range from 10°C to 30°C. In some long, above-ground pipelines, water temperatures up to 45°C may be experienced…
The effectiveness of chlorine as a disinfectant is influenced by the temperature of the water being dosed. Generally higher temperatures result in more effective disinfection at a particular chlorine dose, but this may be counterbalanced by a more rapid loss of chlorine to the atmosphere (AWWA 1990).
Chlorine reacts with organic matter in water to produce undesirable chlorinated organic by-products, and higher temperatures increase the rate of these reactions.
Temperature can directly affect the growth and survival of microorganisms. In general the survival time of infectious bacteria and parasites is reduced as the temperature of the contaminated water increases.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011
Hammond – South Australia – Total Dissolved Solids
November 29 2016: Hammond (South Australia) – Total Dissolved Solids (by EC) 3400mg/L
2019/20: Hammond Town Supply Total Dissolved Solids 3620mg/L (max), 3482.5mg/L (av.) Non-potable
14/2/22: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 3520mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 3480mg/L)
24/2/25: Hammond Town Supply Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 3540mg/L (max) (av. 2024/25 3520mg/L)
“No specific health guideline value is provided for total dissolved solids (TDS), as there are no
health effects directly attributable to TDS. However for good palatability total dissolved solids
in drinking water should not exceed 600 mg/L.
Total dissolved solids (TDS) consist of inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter that are dissolved in water. Clay particles, colloidal iron and manganese oxides and silica, fine enough to pass through a 0.45 micron filter membrane can also contribute to total dissolved solids.
Total dissolved solids comprise: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, carbonate, silica, organic matter, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, nitrite and phosphates…”
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011
Hammond (South Australia) – Selenium
29/11/21: Hammond Selenium 0.008mg/L Non-Potable
28/11/22: Hammond Selenium 0.0073mg/L Non-Potable
27/11/23: Hammond Selenium 0.0082mg/L Non-Potable
27/11/24: Hammond Selenium 0.0072mg/L Non-Potable
Based on health considerations, the concentration of selenium in drinking water should not exceed 0.004 mg/L (2011-2025 guideline 0.01mg/L). “General description Selenium (Se) and selenium salts are widespread in the environment. Selenium is released from natural and human-made sources (such as the burning of coal). Selenium is also a by-product of the processing of sulfide ores, chiefly in the copper refining industry. The major use of selenium is in the manufacture of electronic components. It is used in several other industries, and selenium compounds are used in some insecticides, in hair shampoos as an antidandruff agent, and as a nutritional feed additive for poultry and livestock. Selenium copper alloys have also been identified as a potential replacement for lead copper alloys in plumbing products. Further information on lead replacements in plumbing products (such as selenium copper alloys) is available in Information Sheet 4.1 – Metal and metalloid chemicals leaching from plumbing products. Selenium concentrations in drinking water source waters are generally very low and depend on local geochemistry, climatic conditions (e.g. drought), pH and the presence of iron salts. Selenium in water is mainly present as inorganic compounds, predominantly selenate. Weathering of rocks and soil may result in low levels of selenium in water, which may be taken up by plants (SLR 2022). Food is the major source of intake for Australians. Cereal and grain products contribute most to intake, while fish and liver contain the highest selenium concentrations.” ADWG 2025