Assessment of drinking water quality in regional New South Wales, Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 708-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. M. L. D. Senevirathna ◽  
Andrea M. Goncher ◽  
Aaron Hollier
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Free Chlorine ◽  
Public Places ◽  
South Wales

Abstract There is a substantial research gap relating to the quality of drinking water in regional Australia and identifying possible improvements. In particular, the quality of water available in public places (washing and drinking), such as water bubblers installed in regional parks, schools, rest areas and railway stations, is poorly investigated. This paper discusses the primary and secondary water quality of eight water distribution networks in New South Wales (NSW) regional towns. An analysis of a large number of drinking water samples (more than 11,000) identified that maintaining microbial water quality and the required free chlorine level (>0.2 mg/L) are challenging issues for regional water distribution networks. Sixty-three per cent of the samples collected from the water outlets available in public places of a regional town showed free chlorine levels of <0.2 mg/L, and 30% of samples showed positive results for total coliform. All heavy metal levels of the samples were within the safe level. Water temperature was identified as the most problematic secondary water quality parameter in public water bubblers. Stainless steel was the common material used in bubblers where surface temperatures exceeded 50 °C during summer. This study identifies possible design and operational modifications to improve regional drinking water quality and make public water bubblers more usable.

Drinking water quality in regional Hunter New England, New South Wales, Australia, 2001-2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fidelis Godfrey Jaravani ◽  
Michelle Butler ◽  
Paul Byleveld ◽  
David N. Durrheim ◽  
Peter. D. Massey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
New England ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Drinking Water Quality ◽  
South Wales

Factors Influencing the Bacteriological Quality of Spa-Pool Waters in New South Wales (Australia)

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-145
Author(s):  
A. G. Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Chlorine Disinfection ◽  
Bacteriological Quality ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Principal Factors

The increasing popularity in the use of spa pools during the 1970's and 1980's and the accompanying incidents of folliculitis and ear infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with spa-pool use has necessitated the development of bacteriological and chemical guidelines for spa-pool water quality. The New South Wales (N.S.W.) Department of Health introduced a bacteriological standard for swimming pools and spa-pools in 1981 based on the findings of a series of surveys aimed at identifying the principal factors influencing the bacteriological quality of spa waters. Four surveys are summarised in this paper. The major findings described are the tenfold higher recovery of P. aeruginosa from spa-pools than from outdoor pools; the need for at least 2.0 milligrams per litre (mg/L) free chlorine residual in order to achieve reliable satisfactory water quality in spas compared with a requirement of 1.0mg/L to achieve the same quality in outdoor pools; the need to maintain pH below 8.0 in order to ensure efficient chlorine disinfection; the apparent inability of bromochlorodimethylhydantoin to adequately disinfect spas during heavy bather load periods; and the success of the Health Department's spa-pool operator education program which resulted in a 30% reduction in the incidence of bacteriologically unsatisfactory spa-pool waters in N.S.W. between 1980 and 1986.

Improving water age estimation in a drinking water distribution network by field study and digital modeling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Kristian Rakstang ◽  
Michael B. Waak ◽  
Marius M. Rokstad ◽  
Cynthia Hallé
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Network Model ◽  
Age Estimation ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Distribution Network ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Water Age ◽  
Drinking Water Distribution

<p>Municipal drinking water distribution networks are complex and dynamic systems often spanning many hundreds of kilometers and serving thousands of consumers. Degradation of water quality within a distribution network can be associated to water age (i.e., time elapsed after treatment). Norwegian distribution networks often consist of an intricate combination of pressure zones, in which the transport path(s) between source and consumer is not easily ascertained. Water age is therefore poorly understood in many Norwegian distribution networks. In this study, simulations obtained from a water network model were used to estimate water age in a Norwegian municipal distribution network. A full-scale tracer study using sodium chloride salt was conducted to assess simulation accuracy. Water conductivity provided empirical estimates of salt arrival time at five monitoring stations. These estimates were consistently higher than simulated peak arrival times. Nevertheless, empirical and simulated water age correlated well, indicating that additional network model calibration will improve accuracy. Subsequently, simulated mean water age also correlated strongly with heterotrophic plate count (HPC) monitoring data from the distribution network (Pearson’s R= 0.78, P= 0.00046), indicating biomass accumulation during distribution—perhaps due to bacterial growth or biofilm interactions—and illustrating the importance of water age for water quality. This study demonstrates that Norwegian network models can be calibrated with simple and cost-effective salt tracer studies to improve water age estimates. Improved water age estimation will increase our understanding of water quality dynamics in distribution networks. This can, through digital tools, be used to monitor and control water age, and its impact on biogrowth in the network.</p>

Evaluation of postharvest infiltration of calcium to delay the ripening of avocados

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 801 ◽  
Author(s):  
RBH Wills ◽  
S Sirivatanapa ◽  
Sirivatanapa Somjate
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Vacuum Infiltration ◽  
Average Increase ◽  
Significant Delay ◽  
Average Delay ◽  
Ripening Time ◽  
South Wales

Postharvest vacuum infiltration of calcium into mature but unripe Hass and Fuerte avocados obtained from 80 growers in the 3 major growing districts in Australia over 2 seasons delayed the time to ripen compared with untreated fruit; but the magnitude of the response varied. Hass fruit from 66% of growers in the Murray Valley showed a significant delay in ripening and the average increase in fruit from all growers was 45% over that of untreated fruit. The response of Fuerte fruit was similar between districts, with an average delay in ripening time of about 30% and with fruit from 60% of growers having a significant increase. Hass fruit from North Queensland and northern New South Wales gave the lowest average delay in ripening of about 10% and an increased delay was significant for fruit from 25% of growers. The quality of ripe Hass fruit was not affected by calcium infiltration, whereas a slight decrease in the quality of Fuerte fruit was observed.

Nature Conservation in Rangelands: Lessons From Research on Reserve Selection in New South Wales.

1992 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
RL Pressey
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Planning ◽  
New South ◽  
Full Range ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Reserve Selection ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Land Systems ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Selection Of

Information on the features to be protected in a system of conservation reserves is an obvious requirement. The quality of the data base will primarily determine the effectiveness of conservation planning in protecting the full range of natural features in a region. However, the way in which data are used to make decisions on the locations of protected areas is also critical. Rigorous procedures for reserve selection can make the difference between achieving reservation goals or not. Research on reserve selection in New South Wales over recent years has concerned both data bases and procedures for guiding decisions. Reserve planning in many regions is based largely on some form of land classification like vegetation types or land systems. There are good reasons for using such land classes to guide the selection of reserves and to judge their representativeness. Nevertheless, they can have considerable limitations as a basis for protecting all the species in a region. These limitations are reviewed with references to more detailed discussions of particular issues. The paper also reviews a variety of procedures for selecting reserves which have been tested and applied in New South Wales. Some of the recent procedures are conceptually simple but very useful in identifying the requirements of reservation goals and demonstrating the options available to planners for representing particular features. Three principles are proposed which should underpin any attempt at systematic conservation planning.

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