Our waters health
Hobart Water regularly reports on the water quality for the area serviced by the Hobart Water supply network.
Water Quality Parameters
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines specify the healthy range for each water quality characteristic and in most cases Hobart Water's internal standards are more stringent to ensure the highest water quality possible.
Hobart Water has all water quality parameters tested by an external laboratory and in the event of an extreme measurement; a report is made directly to the Department of Health and Human Services for immediate attention.
Below is a table of the main physical characteristics monitored on a weekly basis along with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines values and Hobart Water's internal values.
|
Measure |
Description of Measure |
Australian Drinking water guidelines range |
Hobart Water range |
|---|---|---|---|
|
pH |
Records the acidity of the water. The scale ranges from 0 (very acid) through 7 (neutral) to 14 (highly basic or alkaline). Natural waters fall into the slightly acidic to weakly basic range. The principle reason for maintaining pH within the guideline range is to minimise corrosion and to provide optimum conditions for disinfection. Under very acid or alkaline conditions, skin and eye irritation can occur. Additionally, such water has a sour taste. |
6.5 - 8.5 |
6.5 - 8.5 |
Chlorine residual |
Chlorine residual is the measure of chlorine left in the water after harmful bacteri have been killed. This figure is indicative of what is in the water based on the amount left e.g. if the figure is significantly low, it could mean there are a significant number of bacteria in the water. |
5mg/L^ |
0.1 - 5 mg/L |
|
Turbidity |
Turbidity is the measure of particulates in the water or the ‘muddiness' of the water. Highly turbid water is not, in itself a health hazard and the standard is set purely for aesthetic reasons, however there is the possibility of micro-organisms being found in suspended particles. As a guide, water with a turbidity of 5 NTU would appear slightly muddy or milky, while water at 1 NTU would be crystal clear. |
5 NTU* |
1 NTU |
|
E-coli |
Escherichia coli bacterium found in the gut, used as an indicator of faecal contamination. This is measured as a percentage of compliance against the standard. |
org/100ml# | org/100ml |
- ^ mg/L - milligrams per litre
- *NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Units
- #organisms per 100ml
Water Quality Report
The Director of Public Health requires all providers of both reticulated and bulk drinking water to submit an annual Drinking Water Quality Management Plan and an Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, which details the previous year's monitoring and management activities.
We have created a detailed excerpt from this report, which looks at the three major catchment area, email our water quality representative to obtain a copy of the excerpt.
Water Quality Compliance
Click here to see Hobart Water's compliance to set physical parameters.