Goornong (Victoria) – E.coli
2010/11 Goornong E.coli 1/100mL (98.1% samples no e.coli ) (1 positive)
19/0/23: Goornong (Victoria) • A routine sample collected from the Goornong elevated tank was positive for the presence of E. coli (4cfu/100mL).
• There was no source of contamination identified.
Corrective actions:
• The elevated tank was resampled, together with three customer tap sample points and the E. coli result was zero for all sites.
• The elevated tank was inspected, and no ingress points were identified.
• The tank was also drained and when refilled to 70%, it was sampled, together with a customer tap site. The E. coli result was zero for both sites.
• WTP performance was reviewed and it was found to be operating as expected.
• The sampler did advise it was raining very heavily when collecting the sample, and there is no shelter over the sample point.
Preventative measures
• Sample point was reviewed and a cover has been added.
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
Goornong (Victoria) – Trihalomethanes (Highest Levels Only)
2006/7 Goornong Trihalomethanes 0.360mg/L
2007/8 Goornong THM’s 0.33mg/L
2010/11 Goornong THM’s 0.26mg/L
Trihalomethanes Australian Guideline Level 0.25mg/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/contaminants/index.cfm
Goornong (Victoria) – Aluminium
According to the ADWG, no health guideline has been adopted for Aluminium, but that the issue is still open to review. Aluminium can come from natural geological sources or from the use of aluminium salts as coagulants in water treatment plants. According to the ADWG “A well-operated water filtration plant (even using aluminium as a flocculant) can achieve aluminium concentrations in the finished water of less than 0.1 mg/L.
The most common form of aluminium in water treatment plants is Aluminium Sulfate (Alum). Alum can be supplied as a bulk liquid or in granular form. It is used at water treatment plants as a coagulant to remove turbidity, microorganisms, organic matter and inorganic chemicals. If water is particularly dirty an Alum dose of as high as 500mg/L could occur. There is also concern that other metals may also exist in refined alum.
While the ADWG mentions that there is considerable evidence that Aluminium is neurotoxic and can pass the gut barrier to accumulate in the blood, leading to a condition called encephalopathy (dialysis dementia) and that Aluminium has been associated with Parkinsonism dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the NHMRC, whilst also acknowledging studies which have linked Aluminium with Alzheimer disease, has not granted Aluminium a NOEL (No Observable Effect Level) due to insufficient and contradictory data. Without a NOEL, a health guideline cannot be established. The NHMRC has also stated that if new information comes to hand, a health guideline may be established in the future.
In communication with Aluminium expert Dr Chris Exley (Professor in Bioinorganic Chemistry
The Birchall Centre, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, Staffordshire UK) in March 2013 regarding high levels of Aluminium detected in the South Western Victorian town of Hamilton
“It is my opinion that any value above 0.5 mg/L is totally unacceptable and a potential health risk. Where such values are maintained over days, weeks or even months, as indeed is indicated by the data you sent to me, these represent a significant health risk to all consumers. While consumers may not experience any short term health effects the result of longer term exposure to elevated levels of aluminium in potable waters may be a significant increase in the body burden of aluminium in these individuals. This artificially increased body burden will not return to ‘normal’ levels when the Al content of the potable water returns to normal but will act as a new platform level from which the Al body burden will continue to increase with age.
Goornong (Victoria) – Nickel
2016/17 – Goornong (Victoria) – Nickel 0.1mg/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.
2005/08 – Goornong (Victoria) – Hardness
2005/06: Goornong (Victoria) Hardness 210mg/L (max)
2006/07: Goornong (Victoria) Hardness 290mg/L (max)
2007/8 Goornong Hardness 310mg/L
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.”
Goornong – Victoria – Total Dissolved Solids
2006/07: Goornong (Victoria) – Total Dissolved Solids 1300 μS/cm (max)
2007/8 Goornong Total Dissolved Solids 1400mg/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
Goornong (Victoria) – Chloride
2007/8 Goornong Chloride 280mg/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.
In surface water, the concentration of chloride is usually less than 100 mg/L and frequently below 10 mg/L. Groundwater can have higher concentrations, particularly if there is salt water intrusion.
Based on aesthetic considerations, the chloride concentration in drinking water should not exceed 250 mg/L.
No health-based guideline value is proposed for chloride.” 2011 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
Goornong (Victoria) – Chlorine
17/8/15 Goornong Chlorine 5.2mg/L
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Chlorine dissociates in water to form free chlorine, which consists of aqueous molecular chlorine, hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion. Chlorine and hypochlorites are toxic to microorganisms and are used extensively as disinfectants for drinking water supplies. Chlorine is also used to disinfect sewage and wastewater, swimming pool water, in-plant supplies, and industrial cooling water.
Chlorine has an odour threshold in drinking water of about 0.6 mg/L, but some people are particularly sensitive and can detect amounts as low as 0.2 mg/L. Water authorities may need to exceed the odour threshold value of 0.6 mg/L in order to maintain an effective disinfectant residual.
In the food industry, chlorine and hypochlorites are used for general sanitation and for odour control. Large amounts of chlorine are used in the production of industrial and domestic disinfectants and bleaches, and it is used in the synthesis of a large range of chemical compounds.
Free chlorine reacts with ammonia and certain nitrogen compounds to form combined chlorine. With ammonia, chlorine forms chloramines (monochloramine, dichloramine and nitrogen trichloride or trichloramine) (APHA 2012). Chloramines are used for disinfection but are weaker oxidising agents than free chlorine.
Free chlorine and combined chlorine may be present simultaneously (APHA 2012). The term totalchlorine refers to the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine present in a sample.
Chlorine (Free) ADWG Guideline: 5mg/L (Chlorine in chloraminated supplies 4.1mg/L). Chlorine dissociates in water to form free chlorine, which consists of aqueous molecular chlorine, hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion.
Chlorine (Total) ADWG Guideline 5mg/L (chloraminated supplies 4.1mg/L): The term total chlorine refers to the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine present in a sample
Coliban Water says drinking water is safe as they monitor raw water quality
Dec 16 2022
https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/8022116/taste-and-odour-issues-may-be-experienced-in-drinking-water-at-goornong/
Two tanks of water will be stationed in a township north of Bendigo as a water authority monitors its systems.
Coliban Water has said raw water quality is contributing to taste and odour issues that may be experienced in Goornong’s drinking water supply.
On Friday morning, a spokesperson said the water remains safe to drink and meets all health-based aspects of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
“We are closely monitoring both treated water and raw water quality, and we are carrying out network maintenance in response to these issues,” they said.
Water trailers are available for residents in Goornong who wish to fill up containers with drinking water.
These are located on Bagshot Street, near Goornong-Fosterville Road.
Residents are asked to note that poor raw water quality is likely to be an ongoing issue this summer in parts of the region, as a result of the flooding that has been experienced over the past few months.
“This means our Water Treatment Plants are working extra hard and taking longer to treat your drinking water,” the spokesperson said.
12/12/22: • Elevated concentrations of Taste & Odour (T&O) compounds, but mainly geosmin, were impacting the Goornong Basin, which was the source water for Goornong Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
• The concentration of T&O compounds in the raw water exceeded the capacity of the treatment process to fully remove them.
• The treated water leaving the WTP exceeding the T&O threshold (10 ng/L), mentioned in the ADWG.
Corrective actions:
• The available PAC dosing system was optimised.
• The clarifier at the WTP was drained and cleaned.
• As the aesthetically pleasing taste of the drinking water was impacted, a drinking water supply trailer was located in the town for the general public to use, with 24 hours access