Australian Drinking Water Map

Katamatite (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes

23/8/17: Katamatite (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes 260μg/L (maximum)

Trihalomethanes Australian Guideline Level 250μg/L

“The raw water at Katamatite is sourced from the Murray Valley Channel irrigation system which is
managed by Goulburn Murray Water. Normal operation of this channel system involves the
shutdown over the winter period with no water available, GVW is required to fill the storages prior
to the shutdown of the irrigation system and is reliant upon storage until irrigation water becomes
available. At the time of the exceedance the raw water levels in the onsite storages were low due
to this shutdown period and sourcing water over winter from the storage. The low raw water storage
levels resulted in a higher concentration of dissolved organic matter within the storage, which
increased the chlorine demand. Shortly after the exceedance GVW were able to access water in
the irrigations system, improving the water quality and reducing the levels of organic matter
present. All subsequent resamples were below the health limit.” GVWater 2017/18

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”. US EPA

Katamatite (Victoria) Nickel

2020/21: Katamatite (Victoria) Nickel 0.02mg/L

Nickel: ADWG Health Guideline 0.02mg/L. A chemical element and silvery white corrosion resistant metal with a golden tinge. 60% of nickel production is used in nickel steel (particularly stainless steel). In water, mainly a problem with nickel plated fittings. Main releases to the environment are from the burning of fossil fuels and in waste discharges from electroplating industries.

2017 August + 2020/21: – Katamatite (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes, Nickel

in , ,

Katamatite (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes

2017 23 August: Katamatite (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes 260μg/L (maximum)

Trihalomethanes Australian Guideline Level 250μg/L

“The raw water at Katamatite is sourced from the Murray Valley Channel irrigation system which is managed by Goulburn Murray Water. Normal operation of this channel system involves the

shutdown over the winter period with no water available, GVW is required to fill the storages prior to the shutdown of the irrigation system and is reliant upon storage until irrigation water becomes available. At the time of the exceedance the raw water levels in the onsite storages were low due to this shutdown period and sourcing water over winter from the storage. The low raw water storage levels resulted in a higher concentration of dissolved organic matter within the storage, which increased the chlorine demand. Shortly after the exceedance GVW were able to access water in the irrigations system, improving the water quality and reducing the levels of organic matter present. All subsequent resamples were below the health limit.”

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”. US EPA

Katamatite (Victoria) Nickel

2020/21: Katamatite (Victoria) Nickel 0.02mg/L

Nickel: ADWG Health Guideline 0.02mg/L. A chemical element and silvery white corrosion resistant metal with a golden tinge. 60% of nickel production is used in nickel steel (particularly stainless steel). In water, mainly a problem with nickel plated fittings. Main releases to the environment are from the burning of fossil fuels and in waste discharges from electroplating industries.