Australian Drinking Water Map

Gunnedah Shire Council issues a warning for Tambar Springs water

March 2 2018

TAMBAR SPRINGS residents are being warned that E. coli has been detected in a drinking water sample collected at Tambar Springs on February 28.

Gunnedah Shire Council (GSC) in conjunction with the NSW Department of Health is issuing a precautionary boiled water alert for the area.

E. coli in drinking water shows that the water may be contaminated with faeces and organisms that may cause gastrointestinal illness.

GSC’s water services manager Kevin Sheridan said immediate action is being taken by working with the NSW Department of Health to correct the situation.

“We are asking residents and businesses in the Tambar Springs village area, as a precautionary measure, to boil their water,” Mr Sheridan said….

 
“E.coli
 

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

Tambar Spring (NSW) – Selenium

2023: Tambar Springs (NSW) Selenium 0.0035mg/L (max, mean)

2024: Tambar Springs (NSW) Selenium 0.0035mg/L (max, mean)

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

Tambar Springs (NSW) Hardness

2023: Tambar Springs (NSW) Hardness 309.9mg/L (max), 301.65mg/L (mean).

2024: Tambar Springs (NSW) Hardness 348.5mg/L (max), 315.95mg/L (mean).

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

2018/2024 – Tambar Springs (New South Wales) – E.coli, Selenium, Hardness

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Gunnedah Shire Council issues a warning for Tambar Springs water

March 2 2018

TAMBAR SPRINGS residents are being warned that E. coli has been detected in a drinking water sample collected at Tambar Springs on February 28.

Gunnedah Shire Council (GSC) in conjunction with the NSW Department of Health is issuing a precautionary boiled water alert for the area.

E. coli in drinking water shows that the water may be contaminated with faeces and organisms that may cause gastrointestinal illness.

GSC’s water services manager Kevin Sheridan said immediate action is being taken by working with the NSW Department of Health to correct the situation.

“We are asking residents and businesses in the Tambar Springs village area, as a precautionary measure, to boil their water,” Mr Sheridan said….

 
“E.coli
 

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

Tambar Spring (NSW) – Selenium

2023: Tambar Springs (NSW) Selenium 0.0035mg/L (max, mean)

2024: Tambar Springs (NSW) Selenium 0.0035mg/L (max, mean)

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

Tambar Springs (NSW) Hardness

2023: Tambar Springs (NSW) Hardness 309.9mg/L (max), 301.65mg/L (mean).

2024: Tambar Springs (NSW) Hardness 348.5mg/L (max), 315.95mg/L (mean).

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