Australian Drinking Water Map

Nyah (Vic) – E.coli

2024/25: Nyah (Victoria). E.coli 1 CFU/100mL

There was one E. coli sample result that was non-compliant with the Schedule 2 standard. The noncompliant result was from a single sample collected at the storage tank located in Nyah Water Sampling Locality. In this case adequate chlorine residual were confirmed when the detections were recorded and the network. The relevant WTP was operating as expected. The tanks were inspected, and no ingress points identified. Follow-up sampling was completed, and the results confirmed that the water that was
supplied was safe. Investigations were conducted into potential sources of contamination. However no obvious contamination sources were identified. Section 18 and 22 notification was completed for the E.coli non-compliance.

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

2022/23 Nyah (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes

2022/23 – Nyah (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes 0.25ug/L (max), 0.13mg/L (av.)

Australian Drinking Water Guideline THM’s 0.25ug/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

Nyah – Victoria – Cyanide

2022/23: Nyah (Victoria) 0.041mg/L (highest level) (51.25% of Australian Guideline)

Based on health considerations, the concentration of cyanide in drinking water should not
exceed 0.08 mg/L.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Cyanide can be present in drinking water through the contamination of source water, or through the natural decomposition of some plants that synthesise cyanoglycosides. Some microorganisms, such as the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans and the bacterium Chromobacterium violaceum, produce free cyanide. In uncontaminated water sources, free cyanide concentrations are usually less than 0.01 mg/L. Sodium cyanide is used in the extraction of gold and silver from low-grade ores. It is also used in the electroplating, steel and chemical industries. Some foods can contain quite high concentrations of cyanide. Green almonds and improperly treated cassava are of particular concern.

TYPICAL VALUES IN AUSTRALIAN DRINKING WATER
In major Australian reticulated supplies cyanide concentrations range up to 0.05 mg/L, with typical concentrations usually less than 0.02 mg/L.

TREATMENT OF DRINKING WATER
There are no published reports on methods for the removal of cyanide from drinking water. Chlorine gas or hypochlorite will react with cyanide to form cyanate. Ozone is also an effective oxidant.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Cyanide is highly toxic. It is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and metabolised to thiocyanate. In humans, long-term consumption of improperly prepared cassava in the tropics has been linked with effects on the thyroid gland and particularly the nervous system. Cyanide may deplete vitamin B12 and result in a deficiency that can cause goitre and cretinism. People most at risk are those with a nutritionally inadequate diet…. ADWG 2011

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2022/25: Nyah (Victoria) – E.coli, Trihalomethanes, Cyanide

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Nyah (Vic) – E.coli 2024/25: Nyah (Victoria). E.coli 1 CFU/100mL There was one E. coli sample result that was non-compliant with the Schedule 2 standard. The noncompliant result was from a single sample collected at the storage tank located in Nyah Water Sampling Locality. In this case adequate chlorine residual were confirmed when the detections were recorded and the network. The relevant WTP was operating as expected. The tanks were inspected, and no ingress points identified. Follow-up sampling was completed, and the results confirmed that the water that was supplied was safe. Investigations were conducted into potential sources of contamination. However no obvious contamination sources were identified. Section 18 and 22 notification was completed for the E.coli non-compliance. 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 Nyah (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes 2022/23 – Nyah (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes 0.25ug/L (max), 0.13mg/L (av.) Australian Drinking Water Guideline THM’s 0.25ug/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 Nyah – Victoria – Cyanide 2022/23: Nyah (Victoria) 0.041mg/L (highest level) (51.25% of Australian Guideline) Based on health considerations, the concentration of cyanide in drinking water should not exceed 0.08 mg/L. GENERAL DESCRIPTION Cyanide can be present in drinking water through the contamination of source water, or through the natural decomposition of some plants that synthesise cyanoglycosides. Some microorganisms, such as the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans and the bacterium Chromobacterium violaceum, produce free cyanide. In uncontaminated water sources, free cyanide concentrations are usually less than 0.01 mg/L. Sodium cyanide is used in the extraction of gold and silver from low-grade ores. It is also used in the electroplating, steel and chemical industries. Some foods can contain quite high concentrations of cyanide. Green almonds and improperly treated cassava are of particular concern. TYPICAL VALUES IN AUSTRALIAN DRINKING WATER In major Australian reticulated supplies cyanide concentrations range up to 0.05 mg/L, with typical concentrations usually less than 0.02 mg/L. TREATMENT OF DRINKING WATER There are no published reports on methods for the removal of cyanide from drinking water. Chlorine gas or hypochlorite will react with cyanide to form cyanate. Ozone is also an effective oxidant. HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS Cyanide is highly toxic. It is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and metabolised to thiocyanate. In humans, long-term consumption of improperly prepared cassava in the tropics has been linked with effects on the thyroid gland and particularly the nervous system. Cyanide may deplete vitamin B12 and result in a deficiency that can cause goitre and cretinism. People most at risk are those with a nutritionally inadequate diet…. ADWG 2011