Australian Drinking Water Map

Peak Spring – South Australia E.coli

NON POTABLE SUPPLY

Aug 2016: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – E.coli 5 MPN/100ml

Nov 2016: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – E.coli 37 MPN/100ml

Feb 2017: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – E.coli 61 MPN/100ml

May 2017: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – E.coli 200 MPN/100ml

Aug 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road (South Australia) – E.coli 10 MPN/100ml

Nov 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road (South Australia) – E.coli 110 MPN/100ml

Feb 2017: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road (South Australia) – E.coli 99 MPN/100ml

May 2017: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road (South Australia) – E.coli 44 MPN/100ml

3/12/19: Peak Spring (Carinya Lane) E.coli 17MPN/100mL (non-potable)

18/2/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road) E.coli 24MPN/100mL (non-potable)

1/9/20: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 22 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone)

1/9/20: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 7 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone)

24/11/20: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 77 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone)

16/2/21: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 18 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone)

26/5/21: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 22 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone)

31/8/21: Peak Spring Carinya Lane Non Potable E.coli E.coli 10 MPN/100ml

30/11/21: Peak Spring Carinya Lane Non Potable E.coli 29 MPN/100ml. 5 positive detections during 2021-22 (13.6 MPN av detection 2021/22)

29/8/23: Peak Spring Carinya Lane North Non Potable E.coli 15 MPN/100ml.

24/10/23: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North Non Potable E.coli 6 MPN/100ml.

2/1/24: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North Non Potable E.coli 72 MPN/100ml.

20/2/24: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North Non Potable E.coli 16 MPN/100ml.

26/3/24: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North Non Potable E.coli 73 MPN/100ml.

17/9/24: Peak Spring Carinya Lane Non Potable E.coli 11 MPN/100ml. 

17/9/24: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road Non Potable E.coli 82 MPN/100ml. 2024/25 av. 23.32 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

Peak Spring – South Australia – Selenium

November 2016: Peak Spring (South Australia) – Selenium 0.0162mg/L

February 2017: Peak Spring (South Australia) – Selenium 0.0121mg/L

2019/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road) Selenium 0.0161mg/L (max), 0.01475mg/L (av.) Non-potable

30/11/21: Peak Spring Non Potable Selenium 0.0163mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 0.015mg/L)

29/11/22: Peak Spring Selenium 0.015mg/L Non-Potable

30/8/22: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0148mg/L Non-Potable

14/2/23: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0155mg/L Non-Potable

17/5/23: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0131mg/L Non-Potable

29/8/23: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0103mg/L Non-Potable

21/11/23: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0124mg/L Non-Potable

20/2/24: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0179mg/L Non-Potable

21/5/24: Peak Spring Selenium 0.016mg/L Non-Potable

26/11/24: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0154mg/L Non-Potable. 2024/25 av. 0.0068mg/L

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

Peak Spring – South Australia – Chloride

May 2017: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Rd (South Australia) – Chloride 320mg/L

19/5/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road) Chloride 308mg/L (non-potable)

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

Peak Spring – South Australia – Colour

August 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Rd (South Australia) – Colour 21 HU

August 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Rd (South Australia) – Colour 27 HU

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…”

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011

Peak Spring – South Australia – Hardness

19/5/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road)  Total Hardness 701mg/L (max) Non-potable

GUIDELINE

“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

Peak Spring – South Australia – Temperature

November 21 2016: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – Temperature 23C

February 20 2017: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – Temperature 24C

November 21 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North (South Australia) – Temperature 22C

February 20 2017: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North (South Australia) – Temperature 23C

Peak Spring Non Potable Temperature 30/11/21-15/3/22 >20C. 15/2/22 26C (max)

GUIDELINE

“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

Peak Spring – South Australia – Total Dissolved Solids

May 15 2017: Peak Spring (South Australia) – Total Dissolved Solids (by EC) 1100mg/L

2019/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road) Total Dissolved Solids 1140mg/L (max), 1095mg/L (av.) Non-potable

30/11/21: Peak Spring Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 1100mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 1023mg/L)

26/11/24: Peak Spring Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 1090mg/L (max) (av. 2024/25 681mg/L)

GUIDELINE

“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

Peak Spring (South Australia) – Nitrate

Peak Spring 16/2/21 Nitrate + Nitrate as NO3 42.93mg/L (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone)

Peak Spring 26/5/21 Nitrate + Nitrate as NO3 42.79mg/L (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone)

Peak Spring 20/2/24 Nitrate + Nitrate as NO3 56.26mg/L (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone)

The most significant chemical issues for water quality come from nitrates and uranium, which occur naturally. Excessive nitrates in the diet reduce blood’s ability to carry oxygen. In infants, this can cause the potentially life-threatening Blue Baby Syndrome, where the skin takes on a bluish colour and the child has trouble breathing. Housing provides bottled water for infants under three months in communities with high nitrates. Long term solutions would likely include asset replacements or upgrades or finding new water sources, or a combination of these.

Child Heath Levels Nitrate: 50mg/L. Adult Heath Levels Nitrate: 100mg/L

Peak Spring (South Australia) – Iron

30/11/21: Peak Spring (South Australia) Non Potable Iron 0.4151mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 0.13mg/L)

Based on aesthetic considerations (precipitation of iron from solution and taste),
the concentration of iron in drinking water should not exceed 0.3 mg/L.
No health-based guideline value has been set for iron.

Iron has a taste threshold of about 0.3 mg/L in water, and becomes objectionable above 3 mg/L. High iron concentrations give water an undesirable rust-brown appearance and can cause staining of laundry and plumbing fittings, fouling of ion-exchange softeners, and blockages in irrigation systems. Growths of iron bacteria, which concentrate iron, may cause taste and odour problems and lead to pipe restrictions, blockages and corrosion. ADWG 2011

Peak Spring (South Australia) – Lead

18/2/25: Peak Spring (South Australia) Lead 0.0057mg/L (max), 0.002mg/L (av.)

Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.”

2016/24: Peak Spring (South Australia) – Selenium, E.coli, Chloride, Colour, Temperature, Total Dissolved Solids, Hardness, Nitrate, Iron, Lead

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Peak Spring – South Australia E.coli NON POTABLE SUPPLY Aug 2016: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – E.coli 5 MPN/100ml Nov 2016: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – E.coli 37 MPN/100ml Feb 2017: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – E.coli 61 MPN/100ml May 2017: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – E.coli 200 MPN/100ml Aug 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road (South Australia) – E.coli 10 MPN/100ml Nov 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road (South Australia) – E.coli 110 MPN/100ml Feb 2017: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road (South Australia) – E.coli 99 MPN/100ml May 2017: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road (South Australia) – E.coli 44 MPN/100ml 3/12/19: Peak Spring (Carinya Lane) E.coli 17MPN/100mL (non-potable) 18/2/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road) E.coli 24MPN/100mL (non-potable) 1/9/20: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 22 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone) 1/9/20: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 7 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone) 24/11/20: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 77 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone) 16/2/21: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 18 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone) 26/5/21: Peak Spring (South Australia) E.coli 22 MPN/100mL (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone) 31/8/21: Peak Spring Carinya Lane Non Potable E.coli E.coli 10 MPN/100ml 30/11/21: Peak Spring Carinya Lane Non Potable E.coli 29 MPN/100ml. 5 positive detections during 2021-22 (13.6 MPN av detection 2021/22) 29/8/23: Peak Spring Carinya Lane North Non Potable E.coli 15 MPN/100ml. 24/10/23: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North Non Potable E.coli 6 MPN/100ml. 2/1/24: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North Non Potable E.coli 72 MPN/100ml. 20/2/24: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North Non Potable E.coli 16 MPN/100ml. 26/3/24: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North Non Potable E.coli 73 MPN/100ml. 17/9/24: Peak Spring Carinya Lane Non Potable E.coli 11 MPN/100ml. 17/9/24: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Road Non Potable E.coli 82 MPN/100ml. 2024/25 av. 23.32 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 Peak Spring – South Australia – Selenium November 2016: Peak Spring (South Australia) – Selenium 0.0162mg/L February 2017: Peak Spring (South Australia) – Selenium 0.0121mg/L 2019/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road) Selenium 0.0161mg/L (max), 0.01475mg/L (av.) Non-potable 30/11/21: Peak Spring Non Potable Selenium 0.0163mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 0.015mg/L) 29/11/22: Peak Spring Selenium 0.015mg/L Non-Potable 30/8/22: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0148mg/L Non-Potable 14/2/23: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0155mg/L Non-Potable 17/5/23: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0131mg/L Non-Potable 29/8/23: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0103mg/L Non-Potable 21/11/23: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0124mg/L Non-Potable 20/2/24: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0179mg/L Non-Potable 21/5/24: Peak Spring Selenium 0.016mg/L Non-Potable 26/11/24: Peak Spring Selenium 0.0154mg/L Non-Potable. 2024/25 av. 0.0068mg/L 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 Peak Spring – South Australia – Chloride May 2017: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Rd (South Australia) – Chloride 320mg/L 19/5/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road) Chloride 308mg/L (non-potable) 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 Peak Spring – South Australia – Colour August 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Rd (South Australia) – Colour 21 HU August 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton North Rd (South Australia) – Colour 27 HU 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…” Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 Peak Spring – South Australia – Hardness 19/5/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road)  Total Hardness 701mg/L (max) Non-potable GUIDELINE “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 Peak Spring – South Australia – Temperature November 21 2016: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – Temperature 23C February 20 2017: Peak Spring Carinya Lane (South Australia) – Temperature 24C November 21 2016: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North (South Australia) – Temperature 22C February 20 2017: Peak Spring Hoyleton Road North (South Australia) – Temperature 23C Peak Spring Non Potable Temperature 30/11/21-15/3/22 >20C. 15/2/22 26C (max) GUIDELINE “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 Peak Spring – South Australia – Total Dissolved Solids May 15 2017: Peak Spring (South Australia) – Total Dissolved Solids (by EC) 1100mg/L 2019/20: Peak Spring (Hayleton North Road) Total Dissolved Solids 1140mg/L (max), 1095mg/L (av.) Non-potable 30/11/21: Peak Spring Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 1100mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 1023mg/L) 26/11/24: Peak Spring Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 1090mg/L (max) (av. 2024/25 681mg/L) GUIDELINE “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 Peak Spring (South Australia) – Nitrate Peak Spring 16/2/21 Nitrate + Nitrate as NO3 42.93mg/L (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone) Peak Spring 26/5/21 Nitrate + Nitrate as NO3 42.79mg/L (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone) Peak Spring 20/2/24 Nitrate + Nitrate as NO3 56.26mg/L (Non potable system-Non Potable Zone) The most significant chemical issues for water quality come from nitrates and uranium, which occur naturally. Excessive nitrates in the diet reduce blood’s ability to carry oxygen. In infants, this can cause the potentially life-threatening Blue Baby Syndrome, where the skin takes on a bluish colour and the child has trouble breathing. Housing provides bottled water for infants under three months in communities with high nitrates. Long term solutions would likely include asset replacements or upgrades or finding new water sources, or a combination of these. Child Heath Levels Nitrate: 50mg/L. Adult Heath Levels Nitrate: 100mg/L Peak Spring (South Australia) – Iron 30/11/21: Peak Spring (South Australia) Non Potable Iron 0.4151mg/L (max) (av. 2021/22 0.13mg/L) Based on aesthetic considerations (precipitation of iron from solution and taste), the concentration of iron in drinking water should not exceed 0.3 mg/L. No health-based guideline value has been set for iron. Iron has a taste threshold of about 0.3 mg/L in water, and becomes objectionable above 3 mg/L. High iron concentrations give water an undesirable rust-brown appearance and can cause staining of laundry and plumbing fittings, fouling of ion-exchange softeners, and blockages in irrigation systems. Growths of iron bacteria, which concentrate iron, may cause taste and odour problems and lead to pipe restrictions, blockages and corrosion. ADWG 2011 Peak Spring (South Australia) – Lead 18/2/25: Peak Spring (South Australia) Lead 0.0057mg/L (max), 0.002mg/L (av.) Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.”