Australian Drinking Water Map

Amamoor (Queensland) – Trihalomethanes

2017/18 Amamoor (Qld)  Trihalomethanes – 340 µg/L (max), 209 µg/L (mean)

THM exceedance in Amamoor water scheme on 9 January 2024 to 14 February 2024 with range of 260 µg/L to 400 µg/L. Further THM exceedances occurred on 28 February, 5 & 21 March and 3 & 11 April 2024 with range of 260 µg/L to 310 µg/L

Trihalomethanes Australian Guideline Level 250μg/L (0.25mg/L)

Why and how are THMs formed?
“When chlorine is added to water with organic material, such as algae, river weeds, and decaying leaves, THMs are formed. Residual chlorine molecules react with this harmless organic material to form a group of chlorinated chemical compounds, THMs. They are tasteless and odourless, but harmful and potentially toxic. The quantity of by-products formed is determined by several factors, such as the amount and type of organic material present in water, temperature, pH, chlorine dosage, contact time available for chlorine, and bromide concentration in the water. The organic matter in water mainly consists of a) humic substance, which is the organic portion of soil that remains after prolonged microbial decomposition formed by the decay of leaves, wood, and other vegetable matter; and b) fulvic acid, which is a water soluble substance of low molecular weight that is derived from humus”. Source: https://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminant

Amamoor (Queensland) – Colour

Amamoor water scheme import of water on 31 January 2024 to 14 February 2024 due to high levels of turbidity and colour in the raw water source

Amamoor water scheme import of water on 18 & 19 February 2024 and 29 March 2024due to high levels of turbidity and colour in the raw water source

Based on aesthetic considerations, true colour in drinking water should not exceed 15 HU.

“… Colour is generally related to organic content, and while colour derived from natural sources such as humic and fulvic acids is not a health consideration, chlorination of such water can produce a variety of chlorinated organic compounds as by-products (see Section 6.3.2 on disinfection by-products). If the colour is high at the time of disinfection, then the water should be checked for disinfection by-products. It should be noted, however, that low colour at the time of disinfection does not necessarily mean that the concentration of disinfection by-products will be low…”

Amamoor (Queensland) – Turbidity

Amamoor water scheme import of water on 31 January 2024 to 14 February 2024 due to high levels of turbidity and colour in the raw water source

Amamoor water scheme import of water on 18 & 19 February 2024 and 29 March 2024due to high levels of turbidity and colour in the raw water source

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

 

2017/18 + 2023/24: Amamoor (Queensland). Trihalomethanes

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Amamoor (Queensland) – Trihalomethanes 2017/18 Amamoor (Qld)  Trihalomethanes – 340 µg/L (max), 209 µg/L (mean) THM exceedance in Amamoor water scheme on 9 January 2024 to 14 February 2024 with range of 260 µg/L to 400 µg/L. Further THM exceedances occurred on 28 February, 5 & 21 March and 3 & 11 April 2024 with range of 260 µg/L to 310 µg/L Trihalomethanes Australian Guideline Level 250μg/L (0.25mg/L) Why and how are THMs formed? “When chlorine is added to water with organic material, such as algae, river weeds, and decaying leaves, THMs are formed. Residual chlorine molecules react with this harmless organic material to form a group of chlorinated chemical compounds, THMs. They are tasteless and odourless, but harmful and potentially toxic. The quantity of by-products formed is determined by several factors, such as the amount and type of organic material present in water, temperature, pH, chlorine dosage, contact time available for chlorine, and bromide concentration in the water. The organic matter in water mainly consists of a) humic substance, which is the organic portion of soil that remains after prolonged microbial decomposition formed by the decay of leaves, wood, and other vegetable matter; and b) fulvic acid, which is a water soluble substance of low molecular weight that is derived from humus”. Source: https://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminant Amamoor (Queensland) – Colour Amamoor water scheme import of water on 31 January 2024 to 14 February 2024 due to high levels of turbidity and colour in the raw water source Amamoor water scheme import of water on 18 & 19 February 2024 and 29 March 2024due to high levels of turbidity and colour in the raw water source Based on aesthetic considerations, true colour in drinking water should not exceed 15 HU. “… Colour is generally related to organic content, and while colour derived from natural sources such as humic and fulvic acids is not a health consideration, chlorination of such water can produce a variety of chlorinated organic compounds as by-products (see Section 6.3.2 on disinfection by-products). If the colour is high at the time of disinfection, then the water should be checked for disinfection by-products. It should be noted, however, that low colour at the time of disinfection does not necessarily mean that the concentration of disinfection by-products will be low…” Amamoor (Queensland) – Turbidity Amamoor water scheme import of water on 31 January 2024 to 14 February 2024 due to high levels of turbidity and colour in the raw water source Amamoor water scheme import of water on 18 & 19 February 2024 and 29 March 2024due to high levels of turbidity and colour in the raw water source 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