Quarterly Drinking Water Quality Report 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013

Transcription

1 Quarterly Drinking Water Quality Report 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Page 1 of 82

2 Contents 1 Introduction Sydney Water s system and operations Multi-barrier approach Structure of this report Catchments, storages and raw water delivery systems Catchments Storages and raw water delivery systems Prospect, Orchard Hills and Warragamba delivery system - raw water Macarthur delivery system - raw water Woronora delivery system - raw water Illawarra delivery system - raw water North Richmond delivery system - raw water Cascades delivery system - raw water Nepean delivery system - raw water Discussion of results for storages and raw water delivery systems Treatment Key parameters Prospect Water Filtration Plant Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant Macarthur Water Filtration Plant Woronora Water Filtration Plant Illawarra Water Filtration Plant North Richmond Water Filtration Plant Cascade Water Filtration Plant Nepean Water Filtration Plant Warragamba Water Filtration Plant Cryptosporidium and Giardia Other parameters Discussion of results for water treatment Raw water Treated water Distribution (Customer Supply Systems) Routine monitoring for key parameters Prospect North Customer Supply System Prospect East Customer Supply System Prospect South Customer Supply System Potts Hill Customer Supply System Ryde Customer Supply System Orchard Hills Customer Supply System Macarthur Customer Supply System Woronora Customer Supply System Illawarra Customer Supply System North Richmond Customer Supply System Cascade Customer Supply System Page 2 of 82

3 Nepean Customer Supply System Warragamba Customer Supply System Other parameters Discussion of results for Customer Supply Systems Water Quantity Data Storage Rainfall Water Consumption List of tables Table 1 Location, associated Water Treatment Plant and Water Supply System... 9 Table 2 Lake 500m u/s Dam Wall (supplying Prospect, Orchard Hills and Warragamba WFPs) Table 3 Upper Prospect (supplying Prospect WFP only) Table 4 Prospect Lake (supplying Prospect WFP only - infrequently used) Table 5 Broughton s Pass weir (supplying Macarthur WFP) Table 6 Lake Dam Wall Table 7 Upper Avon Table 8 Nepean River Table 9 Lake Top 100m u/s dam wall Table 10 Lake Nepean Table 11 Prospect Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 12 Prospect Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 13 Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 14 Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 15 Macarthur Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 16 Macarthur Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 17 Woronora Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 18 Woronora Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 19 Illawarra Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 20 Illawarra Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 21 North Richmond Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 22 North Richmond Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 23 Cascade Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 24 Cascade Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 25 Nepean Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 26 Nepean Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 27 Warragamba Water Filtration Plant raw water Table 28 Warragamba Water Filtration Plant treated water Table 29 Cryptosporidium and Giardia results raw water Table 30 Cryptosporidium and Giardia results treated water Table 31 Other chemicals raw water Table 32 Pesticides and herbicides raw water Table 33 Radionuclides raw water Table 34 Other chemicals treated water Table 35 Prospect North Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 36 Prospect North Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 37 Prospect East Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 38 Prospect East Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Page 3 of 82

4 Table 39 Prospect South Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 40 Prospect South Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 41 Potts Hill Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 42 Potts Hill Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 43 Ryde Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 44 Ryde Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 45 Orchard Hills Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 46 Orchard Hills Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 47 Macarthur Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 48 Macarthur Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 49 Woronora Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 50 Woronora Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 51 Illawarra Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 52 Illawarra Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 53 North Richmond Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 54 North Richmond Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 55 Cascade Customer Supply System Health characteristics Table 56 Cascade Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 57 Nepean Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 58 Nepean Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 59 Warragamba Customer Supply System health characteristics Table 60 Warragamba Customer Supply System aesthetic characteristics Table 61 Other parameters accessed against health guidelines Table 62 Other parameters assessed against aesthetic guidelines Table 63 Status of individual Storages Page 4 of 82

5 1 Introduction This report should be viewed along with the other complementary information available on the Sydney Water website. In addition to this report, Sydney Water produces a literature review discussing issues of concern to the water industry. Other material includes a glossary of terms and a number of references detailing our systems and operations, referenced throughout this report. Sydney Water produces this report each quarter to inform our customers about water quality, available water stored in the dams, rainfall and water consumption. This report summarises a selection of health characteristics chosen in consultation with NSW Health and key aesthetic characteristics. The Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) is responsible for the management of raw water in the catchments, storages and delivery systems including water quality monitoring, and provide data for this report. Enquiries concerning the SCA can be directed to their Penrith office on (02) or their website: Sydney Water s system and operations On average, Sydney Water supplies over 1.3 billion litres of drinking water daily, to over 4.3 million people in 1.7 million homes and businesses across Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains. Households use about 70% of the water supplied and businesses use about 30%. Rainfall from catchment areas provides water, which is stored in dams, and then transported by large pipelines or canals to water filtration plants where it is treated and disinfected. Another water source, when operational, is the desalination plant, which provides up to 15% of Sydney's water supply. Once treated, water is distributed to consumers through about 21,000 km of water pipes, 263 reservoirs and 162 pumping stations. Sydney Water s responsibility for the protection of public health falls under the Public Health Act 1991 as well as other relevant legislation. This is regulated through a Memorandum of Understanding between NSW Health and Sydney Water. Sydney Water has a responsibility to supply safe drinking water to consumers in accordance with its Operating Licence ( ) granted under the Sydney Water Act Water quality characteristics within the water supply system are compared to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 (ADWG). The ADWG provide a framework for good management of drinking water supplies and are concerned with the quality of drinking water from both a health and aesthetic perspective. The ADWG are part of the National Water Quality Management Strategy and have been developed by the National Health & Medical Research Council and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council in consultation with the water industry. Sydney Water s results are audited yearly on behalf of NSW Health and The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). For more information on Sydney Water s system and operations see the Five-year Drinking Water Quality Management Plan on our website. Page 5 of 82

6 1.2 Multi-barrier approach The ADWG state that the most effective means of assuring drinking water quality and the protection of public health is through the adoption of a preventive risk management approach that encompasses all the steps in water production from the catchment to the consumer. Sydney Water works collaboratively with the SCA to ensure that the best possible water quality is supplied to our customers. Sydney Water and the SCA take a multibarrier approach to ensure the water supply is safe. This is summarised in Figure 1 and the text below. Catchments The first step in ensuring a safe drinking water supply is having an effective catchment management program. Minimising adverse impacts on water quality is achieved through actions such as managing development and land use, improvement of the environment, improvement of sewage systems and treatment facilities and public education. The SCA manage the catchments and are responsible for the monitoring of water from the inflows that supply the dam storages. Storages (Dams) These are the supply of raw water to the water filtration plants (with the exception of North Richmond Water Filtration Plant and Sydney Desalination Plant). In-lake treatment can improve the quality of raw water. Detaining and settling water in storage dams allows sedimentation of particles and some microorganisms to die-off. Water quality can vary through the depth of the storage lake and monitoring and modelling storage conditions provides information for selecting storage off-take levels to extract the best quality raw water. The SCA manage storages and are responsible for monitoring of water from these dam storages. Delivery - The SCA manage the raw water delivery systems that convey raw water to the water filtration plants (with the exception of North Richmond Water Filtration Plant and Sydney Desalination Plant). Flexibility in these delivery Figure 1 Multi-barrier approach systems allows the use of alternative raw water supplies for many areas where appropriate. The raw water delivery system also allows for pre-treatment (usually chlorination) of raw water supplies if necessary. Page 6 of 82

7 Treatment Treating water makes it fit for drinking. Treatment removes or destroys harmful microorganisms, sediment and other contaminants in the water. All plants use coagulation, flocculation, filtration and disinfection. Additional treatment processes are also used at the North Richmond plant, which draws water directly from the Hawkesbury-Nepean River. The desalination plant uses reverse osmosis. Fluoride is added at all plants for dental health benefits as required by the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act. The four plants at Prospect, Appin (Macarthur), Kembla Grange (Illawarra) and Woronora were built and are owned / operated by private sector corporations. The desalination plant at Kurnell is owned by Sydney Desalination Plant Pty Limited (formerly a Sydney Water subsidiary but sold to a private sector corporation in June 2012). Together, these five plants filter and disinfect about 90% of water supplied to consumers. Sydney Water also owns and operates five smaller water filtration plants (WFPs). These are Orchard Hills, Cascade, North Richmond, Nepean and Warragamba water filtration plants. To help optimise the treatment process Sydney Water and the SCA monitor the raw water entering the plants. Sydney Water also monitors the treated water leaving the plants under an operational monitoring program to verify that it meets drinking water standards. Distribution Treated water from nine water filtration plants is supplied to thirteen customer supply systems with the Potts Hill system supplemented with treated water from the Sydney Desalination Plant (Kurnell) when necessary. Sydney Water is responsible for the management and operation of the customer supply systems. Maintaining adequate chlorine or chloramine residual levels throughout the distribution network minimises the risks of contamination of the supply and minimises bacterial regrowth. This is assisted by hydraulic management of the system to keep the water well mixed and to minimise water age. When necessary, in-system rechlorination can be done. Prevention of contamination is achieved through securing the distribution pipes and reservoir network by: roofing all reservoirs preventing backflow having security alarms on critical assets maintaining and renewing assets adhering to established operational and maintenance procedures. Sydney Water has a comprehensive drinking water quality monitoring program in Customer Supply Systems to confirm that the water meets required guidelines and that equipment and processes are operating effectively. Page 7 of 82

8 1.3 Structure of this report Water quality monitoring and testing occurs during various stages to ensure water quality guidelines are met. The tables in sections 2 to 4 of this report present water quality data summarising the results from the analysis of water collected from the various stages illustrated in Figure 1, from raw water sources, through treatment and to the water supplied to the customer. Raw water monitoring is generally undertaken by the SCA who supply data for this report while monitoring for the treatment process and for the verification of water quality supplied to customers is undertaken by Sydney Water. Data is arranged according to the respective water treatment plants and customer supply systems. To determine what data is relevant to your area, Table 1 and the information about water systems on our website can be used to determine the respective water treatment plant and customer supply system. As well as routine monitoring, investigating and research monitoring is undertaken throughout the system. Data presented in this report are not exhaustive but are from the routine monitoring of key parameters and illustrate the effectiveness of the various barriers to contaminants and the quality the water supplied to our customers. Section 5 of this report presents water quantity, rainfall and water consumption data. The quantity and rainfall data is supplied by the SCA. Page 8 of 82

9 Table 1 Location, associated Water Treatment Plant and Water Supply System Your location Northern suburbs North Shore from Sydney Harbour to Palm Beach North-West Sydney Kurrajong, Richmond, Wilberforce, Windsor, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown Western suburbs Parramatta Erskine Park, Penrith, St Marys Blacktown Local government area Baulkham Hills (part), Hornsby (part), Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai (part), Lane Cove, Mosman, Manly, North Sydney, Parramatta (part), Pittwater, Ryde, Warringah, Willoughby Hawkesbury (part), Penrith (part) Baulkham Hills (part), Blacktown (part), Hawkesbury (part), Holroyd (part), Hornsby (part), Ku-ring-gai (part), Parramatta (part) Auburn (part), Bankstown (part), Fairfield (part), Holroyd (part), Parramatta (part) Water treatment plant Prospect North Richmond Prospect Prospect Water supply system Ryde North Richmond Prospect North Prospect East Blue Mountains (part), Penrith (part) Orchard Hills Orchard Hills Blacktown (part), Fairfield (part), Liverpool (part), Penrith (part) Inner West, Central, Southern & Eastern suburbs CBD and Eastern Suburbs south to the Georges River South of the Georges River South-West Sydney Ashfield, Auburn (part), Botany Bay, Bankstown (part), Burwood, Canterbury, Canada Bay, Hurstville, Kogarah, Leichardt. Marrickville, Randwick, Rockdale, South Sydney, Strathfield, Sydney, Waverley, Woollahra Sutherland Prospect Can be supplied from Prospect and/or Sydney Desalination Plant Can be supplied from Prospect, Woronora and/or Sydney Desalination Plant Prospect South Potts Hill Potts Hill and / or Woronora Liverpool Liverpool (part) Prospect Prospect East Appin, Camden (part), Campbelltown, Casula Camden (part), Campbelltown, Liverpool Glenfield, Leppington, (part), Wollondilly (part) Macarthur Macarthur Minto, Narellan Oakdale, Picton, Thirlmere Camden (part), Wollondilly (part) Nepean Nepean Warragamba township Wollondilly (part) Warragamba Warragamba Blue Mountains Lower Blue Mountains, Springwood (part) to Penrith Katoomba to Springwood (part), Mt Victoria, Medlow Bath, Blackheath Illawarra Illawarra from Scarborough to Gerroa Coalcliff, Helensburgh, Stanwell Park Blue Mountains (part), Penrith (part) Orchard Hills Orchard Hills Blue Mountains (part) Cascade Cascade Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong (except Helensburgh and Stanwell Park) Illawarra Illawarra Wollongong (part) Woronora Woronora Page 9 of 82

10 2 Catchments, storages and raw water delivery systems The Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) supplies bulk raw water from its catchments to Sydney Water according to the Bulk Water Supply Agreement between the two organisations. The catchments are the source of the raw water stored in the SCA's dams. The first step in protecting water quality is to keep the catchments healthy and manage external impacts on them. The SCA works with the community, other government agencies, local councils, industry bodies, environment groups and landholders to manage and protect the catchment areas. The SCA is responsible for managing the water stored in the dams, selecting water for the drinking water supply from the dams, and managing the transport and delivery systems for bulk raw water. Water for the North Richmond Water Filtration Plant and supply system is sourced directly from the Hawkesbury-Nepean River. The Office of the Hawkesbury-Nepean and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority work with local councils, other government agencies and community groups to help ensure the health of the catchment. 2.1 Catchments Routine sampling of catchment streams aims to assess the quality of water within the catchments. These results provide indicators of environmental water quality to provide a general picture of catchment health across each sub-catchment and changes over time. Identifying contaminants within catchment waters provides early warning for potential raw water quality problems and assists in informing the management of catchment lands to improve catchment health. Not all contaminants identified in catchments waterways are considered a significant risk to the drinking water supply as in-stream processes, including sedimentation, oxidation or biodegradation may reduce the concentration of these contaminants before reaching the raw water supply. As the results are not immediately relevant to drinking water quality they have not been included in this report but can be found on the SCA website in the SCA s Annual Water Quality Monitoring Report. 2.2 Storages and raw water delivery systems The SCA monitors water quality in the storages to help identify and target possible contamination sources. Monitoring in the storages also informs management actions and the selection of water sources and depth of extraction. Monitoring in the raw water delivery system and at the inflow to the water filtration plants helps to ensure that the raw water delivered to the water filtration plants meets agreed standards and can be treated to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Monitoring of the raw water in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, the source of raw water supplying North Richmond Water Filtration Plant, is undertaken by Sydney Water. Page 10 of 82

11 The data presented in Table 2 to Table 10 is not exhaustive but shows results for the key parameters from storage and delivery system sites in close proximity to where water is extracted for treatment. Results for monitoring undertaken by the SCA at the inflow to the water filtration plants are not presented here but data for Sydney Water s monitoring of the same sites are presented in the next section. No guideline levels are applied for the detection of indicator organisms in the raw water storages or delivery systems however the data are used to trigger further investigation of possible faecal contamination, based on an understanding of system characteristics and historical information. Reference levels for other parameters are based on the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters, ANZECC, Page 11 of 82

12 2.2.1 Prospect, Orchard Hills and Warragamba delivery system - raw water Table 2 Lake 500m u/s Dam Wall (supplying Prospect, Orchard Hills and Warragamba WFPs) Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA 60 < < Giardia cysts/10l NA 74 <1 < <1 <1 1 Cryptosporidium oocysts/10l NA 74 <1 <1 <1 312 <1 <1 1 turbidity NTU NA 923 < < Physical / chemical true colour HU NA chlorophyll - a µg/l < < iron mg/l < < aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l NA 62 < < Page 12 of 82

13 Table 3 Upper Prospect (supplying Prospect WFP only) Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA < Giardia* cysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA Cryptosporidium* oocysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA turbidity NTU NA 3 < < Physical / chemical true colour HU NA chlorophyll - a µg/l < iron mg/l < aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l NA * Cryptosporidium and Giardia are monitored at this site on an as needs basis in response to certain events. Monitoring is also done at the raw water inflow to each water filtration plant, which provides an indication of the raw water quality immediately before treatment. Results for both the raw water and treated water are presented in Section 3, Treatment. Page 13 of 82

14 Table 4 Prospect Lake (supplying Prospect WFP only - infrequently used) Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA Giardia cysts/10l NA 25 <1 <1 <1 103 <1 <1 1 Cryptosporidium oocysts/10l NA 25 <1 <1 <1 102 <1 <1 1 turbidity NTU NA < Physical / chemical true colour HU NA 6 <2 < <2 2 3 chlorophyll - a µg/l iron mg/l < aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l NA Page 14 of 82

15 2.2.2 Macarthur delivery system - raw water Table 5 Broughton s Pass weir (supplying Macarthur WFP) Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA < Giardia* cysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA Cryptosporidium* oocysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA turbidity NTU NA 4 <0.1 <0.1 < < Physical / chemical true colour HU NA chlorophyll - a µg/l NA NA NA iron mg/l < aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l NA * Cryptosporidium and Giardia are monitored at this site on an as needs basis in response to certain events. Monitoring is also done at the raw water inflow to each water filtration plant, which provides an indication of the raw water quality immediately before treatment. Results for both the raw water and treated water are presented in Section 3, Treatment. Page 15 of 82

16 2.2.3 Woronora delivery system - raw water Table 6 Lake Dam Wall Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA 27 < < Giardia* cysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA Cryptosporidium* oocysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA turbidity NTU NA 166 < < Physical / chemical true colour HU NA chlorophyll - a µg/l iron mg/l < aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l NA * Cryptosporidium and Giardia are monitored at this site on an as needs basis in response to certain events. Monitoring is also done at the raw water inflow to each water filtration plant, which provides an indication of the raw water quality immediately before treatment. Results for both the raw water and treated water are presented in Section 3, Treatment. Page 16 of 82

17 2.2.4 Illawarra delivery system - raw water Table 7 Upper Avon Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA 17 < < Giardia* cysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA Cryptosporidium* oocysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA turbidity NTU NA 54 < < Physical / chemical true colour HU NA chlorophyll - a µg/l iron mg/l < < aluminium mg/l < < < manganese mg/l NA * Cryptosporidium and Giardia are monitored at this site on an as needs basis in response to certain events. Monitoring is also done at the raw water inflow to each water filtration plant, which provides an indication of the raw water quality immediately before treatment. Results for both the raw water and treated water are presented in Section 3, Treatment. Page 17 of 82

18 2.2.5 North Richmond delivery system - raw water Table 8 Nepean River Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA Giardia* cysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA Cryptosporidium* oocysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA turbidity NTU NA Physical / chemical true colour HU NA chlorophyll - a µg/l iron mg/l < aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l NA * Cryptosporidium and Giardia are monitored at this site on an as needs basis in response to certain events. Monitoring is also done at the raw water inflow to each water filtration plant, which provides an indication of the raw water quality immediately before treatment. Results for both the raw water and treated water are presented in Section 3, Treatment. Page 18 of 82

19 2.2.6 Cascades delivery system - raw water Table 9 Lake Top 100m u/s dam wall Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA < Giardia* cysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA Cryptosporidium* oocysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA turbidity NTU NA 50 < < Physical / chemical true colour HU NA chlorophyll - a µg/l iron mg/l < aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l NA * Cryptosporidium and Giardia are monitored at this site on an as needs basis in response to certain events. Monitoring is also done at the raw water inflow to each water filtration plant, which provides an indication of the raw water quality immediately before treatment. Results for both the raw water and treated water are presented in Section 3, Treatment. Page 19 of 82

20 2.2.7 Nepean delivery system - raw water Table 10 Lake Nepean Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Reference levels Min Avg Max Min Avg Max microbiological E. coli orgs/100ml NA 27 < < Giardia* cysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA Cryptosporidium* oocysts/10l NA 0 NA NA NA 0 NA NA NA turbidity NTU NA 175 < < Physical / chemical true colour HU NA chlorophyll - a µg/l iron mg/l < aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l NA 27 < < * Cryptosporidium and Giardia are monitored at this site on an as needs basis in response to certain events. Monitoring is also done at the raw water inflow to each water filtration plant, which provides an indication of the raw water quality immediately before treatment. Results for both the raw water and treated water are presented in Section 3, Treatment. Page 20 of 82

21 2.3 Discussion of results for storages and raw water delivery systems The results for the monitoring in the raw water storages and delivery system are presented in Table 2 to Table 10 above and indicate that the water is of suitable quality for supply to water filtration plants. Water quality is maintained by a combination of catchment management activities, in stream/lake processes and source selection. The SCA undertakes catchment management activities in accordance with it s Healthy Catchments Strategy which sets priorities for catchment improvement activities. Catchment initiatives are delivered through the Healthy Catchments Program under the following broad categories: Rural lands Sewage and stormwater Land management Statutory and regulatory operations Catchment partnerships Work undertaken under the program is reported annually in the SCA s Annual Catchment Activities Report which can be found on the SCA website. Detention time in streams and lakes, together with artificial mixing in lakes, help to improve water quality. In-situ monitoring instruments and the ability to change supply depths in most storages facilitate selection of optimum quality raw water to supply for treatment. Page 21 of 82

22 3 Treatment Sydney Water has 10 water treatment plants (including one desalination plant) that supply 13 water delivery systems. Since dam levels have reached 80 per cent and the proving period for the desalination plant ended in June 2012, the operating rules established in the NSW Government s 2010 Metropolitan Water Plan have required that the desalination plant be turned off. The desalination plant will continue to be available as an alternative source if required and the government will review switching the plant on again if dam levels fall below 70 per cent. 3.1 Key parameters Sydney Water monitors the quality of the raw water entering the treatment plant and the treated water entering the customer supply system for a range of parameters to assist in optimising the water treatment process under an operational monitoring program. Most analysis is conducted by laboratories that are accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA), Australia. In some cases additional operational monitoring is conducted at the plant or by on-line instrumentation and supplements the data. Results for the key parameters from this analysis are presented for each treatment plant in Table 11 to Table 28 below. The SCA also monitors water quality for the raw water entering eight of the water filtration plants on a monthly basis. These results are not included below but can be found in the SCA s Annual Water Quality Monitoring Report. From July 2012 Sydney Water began monitoring nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in response to the new guideline for this substance in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines The SCA supplies raw water to the water filtration plants under a Bulk Water Supply Agreement (BWSA) with Sydney Water. Raw water quality for the parameters reported in these tables is assessed against site-specific quality standards that have been developed based on historical water quality from the catchments and the capacity of each plant to treat water to meet the drinking water guidelines. The BWSA does not apply to North Richmond Water Filtration Plant or Sydney Desalination Plant. Treated water is assessed against the ADWG guidelines. In the tables below the ADWG Health guideline value is quoted for E.coli, free chlorine, monochloramine, fluoride, total trihalomethanes and NDMA. For turbidity, true colour, ph, iron, aluminium and manganese the more stringent ADWG aesthetic guidelines are quoted. With the exception of ph which has a guideline range, the guideline levels below are the concentration that should not be exceeded. Page 22 of 82

23 3.1.1 Prospect Water Filtration Plant Table 11 Prospect Water Filtration Plant raw water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Bulk Water Supply Agreement Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum E. coli orgs/100ml NA 13 <1 NA <1 NA 180 turbidity NTU true colour HU ph ph units iron mg/l aluminium mg/l manganese mg/l Page 23 of 82

24 Table 12 Prospect Water Filtration Plant treated water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics ADWG Minimum Average Maximum Passed Minimum Average Maximum Passed E. coli orgs/100ml not detected in 100 ml 13 <1 NA <1 100% 52 <1 NA <1 100% turbidity NTU % % true colour HU <2 < % 52 <2 < % ph ph units between % % free chlorine mg/l 5 13 <0.04 <0.04 < % 52 <0.04 <0.04 < % monochloramine mg/l % % fluoride mg/l 1.5* % % total trihalomethanes mg/l % % nitrosodimethylamine mg/l < < < % 9 < < < % iron mg/l < % 52 < % aluminium mg/l <0.010 < % 52 < % manganese mg/l <0.001 < % 52 <0.001 < % * Although the ADWG specifies a guideline value for Fluoride of 1.5 mg/l, the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 requires that, over a year, greater than 95% of all routine fall within the range 0.90 to 1.50 mg/l. Page 24 of 82

25 3.1.2 Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant Table 13 Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant raw water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics BWSA Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum E. coli orgs/100ml NA 12 <1 NA <1 52 <1 NA 1 turbidity NTU true colour HU ph ph units iron mg/l aluminium mg/l manganese mg/l Page 25 of 82

26 Table 14 Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant treated water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics ADWG Minimum Average Maximum Passed Minimum Average Maximum Passed E. coli orgs/100ml not detected in 100 ml 12 <1 NA <1 100% 52 <1 NA <1 100% turbidity NTU % % true colour HU <2 < % 52 <2 < % ph ph units between % % free chlorine mg/l % % monochloramine mg/l % 52 < % fluoride mg/l 1.5* % % total trihalomethanes mg/l % % nitrosodimethylamine mg/l < < < % 9 < < < % iron mg/l <0.010 < % 52 <0.010 < % aluminium mg/l <0.010 <0.010 < % 52 <0.010 <0.010 < % manganese mg/l <0.001 < % 52 <0.001 < % * Although the ADWG specifies a guideline value for Fluoride of 1.5 mg/l, the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 requires that, over a year, greater than 95% of all routine fall within the range 0.90 to 1.50 mg/l. Page 26 of 82

27 3.1.3 Macarthur Water Filtration Plant Table 15 Macarthur Water Filtration Plant raw water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics BWSA Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum E. coli orgs/100ml NA 12 2 NA <1 NA 1100 turbidity NTU 10 / 60* true colour HU ph ph units iron mg/l / 1.300* aluminium mg/l / 0.950* manganese mg/l / 0.350* * BWSA standards for these parameters for this plant vary in four steps according to the water demand of the plant. Low and high values are shown. Page 27 of 82

28 Table 16 Macarthur Water Filtration Plant treated water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics ADWG Minimum Average Maximum Passed Minimum Average Maximum Passed E. coli orgs/100ml not detected in 100 ml 12 <1 NA <1 100% 52 <1 NA <1 100% turbidity NTU % % true colour HU <2 < % 52 <2 < % ph ph units between % % free chlorine mg/l 5 24 < % 104 < % monochloramine mg/l % % fluoride mg/l 1.5* % % total trihalomethanes mg/l % % nitrosodimethylamine mg/l < < < % 9 < < < % iron mg/l < % 52 < % aluminium mg/l % 52 < % manganese mg/l < % 52 < % See comments on page 48 of this report. * Although the ADWG specifies a guideline value for Fluoride of 1.5 mg/l, the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 requires that, over a year, greater than 95% of all routine fall within the range 0.90 to 1.50 mg/l. Page 28 of 82

29 3.1.4 Woronora Water Filtration Plant Table 17 Woronora Water Filtration Plant raw water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics BWSA Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum E. coli orgs/100ml NA 12 <1 NA <1 NA 28 turbidity NTU true colour HU ph ph units iron mg/l aluminium mg/l manganese mg/l Page 29 of 82

30 Table 18 Woronora Water Filtration Plant treated water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics ADWG Minimum Average Maximum Passed Minimum Average Maximum Passed E. coli orgs/100ml not detected in 100 ml 12 <1 NA <1 100% 52 <1 NA <1 100% turbidity NTU % % true colour HU <2 <2 <2 100% 52 <2 < % ph ph units between % % free chlorine mg/l 5 12 <0.04 <0.04 < % 52 <0.04 < % monochloramine mg/l % % fluoride mg/l 1.5* % % total trihalomethanes mg/l % % nitrosodimethylamine mg/l < < < % 9 < < < % iron mg/l <0.010 < % 52 <0.010 < % aluminium mg/l % % manganese mg/l <0.001 <0.001 < % 52 <0.001 < % * Although the ADWG specifies a guideline value for Fluoride of 1.5 mg/l, the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 requires that, over a year, greater than 95% of all routine fall within the range 0.90 to 1.50 mg/l. Page 30 of 82

31 3.1.5 Illawarra Water Filtration Plant Table 19 Illawarra Water Filtration Plant raw water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics BWSA Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum E. coli orgs/100ml NA 12 <1 NA <1 NA 88 turbidity NTU true colour HU ph ph units iron mg/l aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l Page 31 of 82

32 Table 20 Illawarra Water Filtration Plant treated water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics ADWG Minimum Average Maximum Passed Minimum Average Maximum Passed E. coli orgs/100ml not detected in 100 ml 12 <1 NA <1 100% 52 <1 NA <1 100% turbidity NTU % % true colour HU <2 <2 <2 100% 52 <2 <2 <2 100% ph ph units between % % free chlorine mg/l % % monochloramine mg/l % % fluoride mg/l 1.5* % % total trihalomethanes mg/l % % nitrosodimethylamine mg/l < < < % 9 < < < % iron mg/l <0.010 <0.010 < % 52 <0.010 <0.010 < % aluminium mg/l % % manganese mg/l <0.001 <0.001 < % 52 <0.001 < % See comments on page 48 of this report. * Although the ADWG specifies a guideline value for Fluoride of 1.5 mg/l, the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 requires that, over a year, greater than 95% of all routine fall within the range 0.90 to 1.50 mg/l. Page 32 of 82

33 3.1.6 North Richmond Water Filtration Plant Table 21 North Richmond Water Filtration Plant raw water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum E. coli orgs/100ml 12 3 NA <1 NA 2800 turbidity NTU true colour HU < ph ph units iron mg/l aluminium mg/l < manganese mg/l Page 33 of 82

34 Table 22 North Richmond Water Filtration Plant treated water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics ADWG Minimum Average Maximum Passed Minimum Average Maximum Passed E. coli orgs/100ml not detected in 100 ml 12 <1 NA <1 100% 52 <1 NA <1 100% turbidity NTU % % true colour HU <2 <2 <2 100% 52 <2 <2 <2 100% ph ph units between % % free chlorine mg/l % % monochloramine mg/l 3 12 < % 52 < % fluoride mg/l 1.5* % % total trihalomethanes mg/l % % nitrosodimethylamine mg/l < < < % 9 < < < % iron mg/l <0.010 <0.010 < % 52 <0.010 < % aluminium mg/l <0.010 < % 52 <0.010 < % manganese mg/l <0.001 <0.001 < % 52 <0.001 <0.001 < % * Although the ADWG specifies a guideline value for Fluoride of 1.5 mg/l, the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 requires that, over a year, greater than 95% of all routine fall within the range 0.90 to 1.50 mg/l. Page 34 of 82

35 3.1.7 Cascade Water Filtration Plant Table 23 Cascade Water Filtration Plant raw water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics BWSA Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum E. coli orgs/100ml NA 12 <1 NA <1 NA 190 turbidity NTU true colour HU ph ph units iron mg/l aluminium mg/l manganese mg/l Page 35 of 82

36 Table 24 Cascade Water Filtration Plant treated water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics ADWG Minimum Average Maximum Passed Minimum Average Maximum Passed E. coli orgs/100ml not detected in 100 ml 12 <1 NA <1 100% 52 <1 NA <1 100% turbidity NTU % % true colour HU <2 <2 <2 100% 52 <2 <2 <2 100% ph ph units between % % free chlorine mg/l % % monochloramine mg/l % 52 < % fluoride mg/l 1.5* % % total trihalomethanes mg/l % % nitrosodimethylamine mg/l < < < % 9 < < < % iron mg/l % 52 < % aluminium mg/l % % manganese mg/l <0.001 < % 52 <0.001 < % See comments on page 48 of this report. * Although the ADWG specifies a guideline value for Fluoride of 1.5 mg/l, the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 requires that, over a year, greater than 95% of all routine fall within the range 0.90 to 1.50 mg/l. Page 36 of 82

37 3.1.8 Nepean Water Filtration Plant Table 25 Nepean Water Filtration Plant raw water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics BWSA Minimum Average Maximum Minimum Average Maximum E. coli orgs/100ml NA 12 <1 NA <1 NA 190 turbidity NTU true colour HU ph ph units iron mg/l aluminium mg/l manganese mg/l Page 37 of 82

38 Table 26 Nepean Water Filtration Plant treated water Quarterly - 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2013 Annual 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 Characteristics ADWG Minimum Average Maximum Passed Minimum Average Maximum Passed E. coli orgs/100ml not detected in 100 ml 12 <1 NA <1 100% 52 <1 NA <1 100% turbidity NTU % % true colour HU <2 <2 <2 100% 52 <2 < % ph ph units between % % free chlorine mg/l % % monochloramine mg/l % % fluoride mg/l 1.5* % % total trihalomethanes mg/l % % nitrosodimethylamine mg/l < < < % 9 < < < % iron mg/l < % 52 < % aluminium mg/l % % manganese mg/l <0.001 < % 52 < % See comments on page 48 of this report. * Although the ADWG specifies a guideline value for Fluoride of 1.5 mg/l, the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 requires that, over a year, greater than 95% of all routine fall within the range 0.90 to 1.50 mg/l. Page 38 of 82