❓ Hon Robin Chapple asks about E. coli contamination and chemical water quality in Innawonga and Wakathuni communities. The Department of Housing provides data on microbiological testing, remediation efforts, and exceedances of aesthetic water quality guidelines.
AnsweredQoN 6050Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Microbiological Performance Innawonga: In the past 12 months there have been four E. coli fails at this community. An investigation of the supply system determined that the non-compliant results were associated with two small ground tanks. As a result of this finding the system was upgraded and the elevated tank was replaced, permitting the decommissioning of these ground tanks, and no further E. coli non-compliance. Wakathuni: Wakathuni had one low level E. coli failure in the past 12 months. Chemical Water Quality An assessment of the chemical water quality shows compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) 2011 for all health related parameters at both communities. Table 2 below lists the parameters that exceed the recommended aesthetic parameter with regards to the ADWG 2011. The values have been presented as averages of the available water quality data for each community. Table 2 WQ Parameter Wakathuni mg/L Innawonga mg/L ADWG 2011 levels Aesthetic Hardness (as CaCo3) 979 631 200 Sulphate 287 - 250 Total dissolved solids (TDS) 1547 1130 600 Chloride 451 254 250 Sodium 160 194 180 Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on http://www.rtlib.com
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 October 2012
Responded by
Minister for Education representing the Minister for Housing
Response time
35 days
The Department of Housing advises:
(1)-(4) The Department of Housing conducts monthly microbiological testing and six-monthly chemical sampling at Wakathuni and Bellary Springs (Innawonga) communities. The water samples are sent to Pathwest laboratories for analysis. Both communities use ultra violet lamps for water disinfection.
All water quality results are reported to the Water Quality Unit, Public Health Directorate, WA Department of Health.
Table 1 details the 12 month microbiological test results for the Wakathuni and Bellary Springs (Innawonga) communities. A '0' E. coli count and no Naegleria presence is classified as a pass. If .E coli or Naegleria are detected then a "Water Fail" notice is sent to the community and remedial action is undertaken usually within 24 hours. The remedial action involves the cleaning of water tanks followed by hyper chlorination of the water supply. A follow up sample is taken and sent to the laboratories for analysis. If it passes, an "All clear" notice is sent to the community.
Table 1: Microbiological Performance for Innawonga and Wakathuni
Month
Innawonga
Wakathuni
E. coli (Units)
Naegleria Presence
E. coli (Units)
Naegleria Presence
Sept 2011
0
No
0
No
Oct 2011
0
No
0
No
Nov 2011
3
No
0
No
Dec 2011
1
Yes
0
No
Jan 2012
5
Yes
0
No
Feb 2012
10
No
0
No
Mar 2012
0
No
0
No
Apr 2012
0
No
0
No
May 2012
0
No
0
No
Jun 2012
0
No
0
No
Jul 2012
0
No
5
No
Aug 2012
0
No
0
No
Microbiological Performance
Innawonga:
In the past 12 months there have been four E. coli fails at this community. An investigation of the supply system determined that the non-compliant results were associated with two small ground tanks.
As a result of this finding the system was upgraded and the elevated tank was replaced, permitting the decommissioning of these ground tanks, and no further E. coli non-compliance.
Wakathuni:
Wakathuni had one low level E. coli failure in the past 12 months.
Chemical Water Quality
An assessment of the chemical water quality shows compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) 2011 for all health related parameters at both communities.
Table 2 below lists the parameters that exceed the recommended aesthetic parameter with regards to the ADWG 2011. The values have been presented as averages of the available water quality data for each community.
Table 2
WQ Parameter
Wakathuni mg/L
Innawonga mg/L
ADWG 2011 levels Aesthetic
Hardness (as CaCo3)
979
631
200
Sulphate
287
-
250
Total dissolved solids (TDS)
1547
1130
600
Chloride
451
254
250
Sodium
160
194
180
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(1)-(4) The Department of Housing conducts monthly microbiological testing and six-monthly chemical sampling at Wakathuni and Bellary Springs (Innawonga) communities. The water samples are sent to Pathwest laboratories for analysis. Both communities use ultra violet lamps for water disinfection.
All water quality results are reported to the Water Quality Unit, Public Health Directorate, WA Department of Health.
Table 1 details the 12 month microbiological test results for the Wakathuni and Bellary Springs (Innawonga) communities. A '0' E. coli count and no Naegleria presence is classified as a pass. If .E coli or Naegleria are detected then a "Water Fail" notice is sent to the community and remedial action is undertaken usually within 24 hours. The remedial action involves the cleaning of water tanks followed by hyper chlorination of the water supply. A follow up sample is taken and sent to the laboratories for analysis. If it passes, an "All clear" notice is sent to the community.
Table 1: Microbiological Performance for Innawonga and Wakathuni
Month
Innawonga
Wakathuni
E. coli (Units)
Naegleria Presence
E. coli (Units)
Naegleria Presence
Sept 2011
0
No
0
No
Oct 2011
0
No
0
No
Nov 2011
3
No
0
No
Dec 2011
1
Yes
0
No
Jan 2012
5
Yes
0
No
Feb 2012
10
No
0
No
Mar 2012
0
No
0
No
Apr 2012
0
No
0
No
May 2012
0
No
0
No
Jun 2012
0
No
0
No
Jul 2012
0
No
5
No
Aug 2012
0
No
0
No
Microbiological Performance
Innawonga:
In the past 12 months there have been four E. coli fails at this community. An investigation of the supply system determined that the non-compliant results were associated with two small ground tanks.
As a result of this finding the system was upgraded and the elevated tank was replaced, permitting the decommissioning of these ground tanks, and no further E. coli non-compliance.
Wakathuni:
Wakathuni had one low level E. coli failure in the past 12 months.
Chemical Water Quality
An assessment of the chemical water quality shows compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) 2011 for all health related parameters at both communities.
Table 2 below lists the parameters that exceed the recommended aesthetic parameter with regards to the ADWG 2011. The values have been presented as averages of the available water quality data for each community.
Table 2
WQ Parameter
Wakathuni mg/L
Innawonga mg/L
ADWG 2011 levels Aesthetic
Hardness (as CaCo3)
979
631
200
Sulphate
287
-
250
Total dissolved solids (TDS)
1547
1130
600
Chloride
451
254
250
Sodium
160
194
180
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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