Potable System Non-Potable Zone
Murputja (South Australia) – E.coli
21/2/2024: Murputja. E.coli 1 CFU/100mL
The day the sample was taken, relevant staff were informed
the chlorine residual was 0.09 mg/L in the reservoir. This
triggered an immediate response to flush and manually dose
the reservoir with hypo. Public health was not compromised
due to this response. Mt Margaret Reservoir is currently
being assessed as a potential re-chlorination site.
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
2019/21 – Murputja (South Australia ) – Fluoride
19/03/2019: Murputja Fluoride 3.1 mg/l
28/05/2019: Murputja Fluoride 3.0 mg/l
27/8/19: Murputja Fluoride 3.1mg/L (max), 1.373mg/L (av 2019/20)
17/11/20: Murputja Fluoride 2.2mg/L
23/2/21: Murputja Fluoride 2.4mg/L
25/5/21: Murputja Fluoride 2.1mg/L
25/5/22: Murputja NDW Customer Tap Non Potable Fluoride 2.7mg/L (max), (2.47mg/L av. 2021/22)
20/11/24: Murputja NDW Customer Tap Fluoride 2.3mg/L (max), (2.05mg/L av. 2024/25)
“Fluoride occurs naturally in seawater (1.4 mg/L), soil (up to 300 parts per million) and air (from volcanic gases and industrial pollution). Naturally occurring fluoride concentrations in drinking water depend on the type of soil and rock through which the water drains. Generally, concentrations in surface water are relatively low (<0.1–0.5 mg/L), while water from deeper wells may have quite high concentrations (1–10 mg/L) if the rock formations are fluoride-rich.” 2011 ADWG. Health Guideline: 1.5mg/L
Murputja (South Australia) – Sodium
22/3/22: Murputja NDW Customer Tap Non Potable Sodium 22/3/22 247mg/L (max)
should not exceed 180 mg/L….The sodium ion is widespread in water due to the high solubility of sodium salts and the abundance of mineral deposits. Near coastal areas, windborne sea spray can make an important contribution either by fallout onto land surfaces where it can drain to drinking water sources, or from washout by rain. Apart from saline intrusion and natural contamination, water treatment chemicals, domestic water softeners and
sewage effluent can contribute to the sodium content of drinking water.” ADWG 2011
Murputja (South Australia) – Total Dissolved Solids
22/3/22: Murputja TS NDW Non Potable Total Dissolved Solids 1130mg/L (max)
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.
Murputja (South Australia) – Hardness
22/3/22: Murputja TS NDW Non Potable Total Hardness 436mg/L (max)
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.”
Murputja (South Australia) – Lead
21/2/23: Murputja Lead 0.0075mg/L Non Potable
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.”
Murputja (South Australia) – Selenium
22/3/22: Murputja Selenium 0.0052mg/L Non-Potable
21/2/23: Murputja Selenium 0.0039mg/L Non-Potable
21/2/24: Murputja Selenium 0.0037mg/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