Drinking Water Report
2018-19 drinking water summary
This drinking water report draws on information provided by Rockhampton Regional Council and Central Highlands Regional Council. The townships displayed on the map have drinking water results supplied by these councils.
Drinking water results for 2018-19 were mostly good with no exceedances of health guidelines in any townships. There were 13 exceedances of aesthetic guidelines in 7 townships. See the exceedance table below for more details.
Drinking water reports have been prepared by applying the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines to data provided by local councils. These results are then averaged and graded using the Drinking water method.
Sites Overview
Raw water
Water that has been drawn from the natural environment and has not been treated for use as drinkable water or other uses
| Site | Health | Aesthetic |
|---|---|---|
Capella
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Mt Morgan
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Rockhampton
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Exceedances
Mt Morgan
Aesthetic
Implications
Why is this a potential issue?
What can be done?
Implications
Why is this a potential issue?
The level of manganese in drinking water is generally an aesthetic issue as elevated levels affect the taste of the water. Based on aesthetic considerations, the concentration of manganese in drinking water should not exceed 0.1 mg/L, measured at the customer’s tap. At concentrations exceeding 0.1 mg/L, manganese imparts an undesirable taste to water and stains plumbing fixtures and laundry. Even at concentrations of 0.02 mg/L, manganese will form a coating on pipes that can slough off as a black ooze. Manganese would not be a health consideration unless the concentration exceeded 0.5 mg/L. Exceedances of the aesthetic threshold occasionally occur in the region.
What can be done?
Manganese concentrations in drinking water can be lowered by converting soluble forms to insoluble precipitates, followed by filtration.
Implications
Why is this a potential issue?
Turbidity is a measure of the light-scattering property of water caused by the presence of fine suspended matter such as clay, silt, plankton and other microscopic organisms. The turbidity of drinking water can be used as a measure of the efficiency of the filtration and disinfection processes of water treatment and is also an aesthetic issue to consumers. Based on aesthetic considerations, the turbidity should not exceed 5 NTU at the consumer’s tap. Exceedances of this level of turbidity occasionally occur in the region giving drinking water a cloudy or muddy appearance. These exceedances have not been a health concern.
What can be done?
Turbidity has an impact on the aesthetic acceptability of water. Many consumers relate the appearance of water to its safety, and turbid or coloured water is interpreted as being unsafe to drink. Councils attempt to maintain turbidity as low as possible to the point of supply to customers.
Implications
Why is this a potential issue?
pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in water and is measured on a scale between 0 (acidic) and 14 (alkali). The guidelines for this parameter are between 6.5 and 8.5, and are based on minimising corrosion or encrustation of pipes and plumbing fittings rather than concerns for health implications. If water is below 4 (acidic) some adverse health effects can occur such as irritation of the eyes and gastrointestinal tract. Acidic water can also increase the solubility of metals, leading to other impacts. Water with pH over 10 (alkali) can similarly cause irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes.
What can be done?
pH is generally not a concern unless the levels are below 4 or over 10. Acidic water can be neutralised by addition of an alkali material such as calcium carbonate until the pH is closer to 7. Highly alkali water can be neutralised by addition of an acid such as citric acid or alum. Drinking water providers can easily adjust pH to fall within the acceptable range for human consumption.
Capella
Aesthetic
Implications
Why is this a potential issue?
What can be done?
Implications
Why is this a potential issue?
Turbidity is a measure of the light-scattering property of water caused by the presence of fine suspended matter such as clay, silt, plankton and other microscopic organisms. The turbidity of drinking water can be used as a measure of the efficiency of the filtration and disinfection processes of water treatment and is also an aesthetic issue to consumers. Based on aesthetic considerations, the turbidity should not exceed 5 NTU at the consumer’s tap. Exceedances of this level of turbidity occasionally occur in the region giving drinking water a cloudy or muddy appearance. These exceedances have not been a health concern.
What can be done?
Turbidity has an impact on the aesthetic acceptability of water. Many consumers relate the appearance of water to its safety, and turbid or coloured water is interpreted as being unsafe to drink. Councils attempt to maintain turbidity as low as possible to the point of supply to customers.
About drinking water reports
For more information see the FAQ's page
Drinking water reports have been prepared by applying the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines to your data. These results are then averaged and graded using the Drinking water method. Both Aesthetic and Health guidelines are used with results for raw water. Treated water results are available when the water has been treated and data is available.
Treated vs. Raw: What's the difference?
Raw water comes from creeks, rivers dams and underground bores this water has not been treated for use as drinkable water or other uses. Councils and other suppliers of water to townships process this raw water to make it more drinkable, potable or useful by purifying, clarifying, softening or deodorizing it.
Health vs. Aesthetic Guidelines: What's the difference?
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines include two different types of guideline value:
Health
A health-related guideline value, which is the concentration or measure of a water quality characteristic that, based on present knowledge, does not result in any significant risk to the health of the consumer over a lifetime of consumption;
Aesthetic
An aesthetic guideline value, which is the concentration or measure of a water quality characteristic that is associated with acceptability of water to the consumer; for example, appearance, taste and odour.
Data Availability
Data gaps may occur in some years in some council areas. Data gaps may also occur where third party data is not supplied for Rockhampton Region and Central Highlands.
Warning
These reports are provided as a guide only and come with the following warnings:
- Raw water should never be used for drinking water until it has been treated by a duly regulated entity (such as a regional council).
- The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines recognise that occasionally there may be health or aesthetic related test results that fall outside the guidelines and that these results are not necessarily an immediate threat to health. The guidelines do not require a 100% result in all cases. All test results above the guidelines are investigated and actions, if necessary, taken.
- These reports are based on third party data. Third parties may not be sampling for all of the indicators that are important in determining suitability of water for drinking purposes