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Testing | What we test for | Operational Monitoring
Wannon Water has a comprehensive management framework for maintaining high quality drinking water. This includes an audited risk identification and management approach to water supply and catchment management and requires regular water testing and monitoring.
View Wannon Water's Drinking Water Quality Policy.
Testing
Wannon Water conducts over 100,000 tests each year throughout the region from source waters through to treatment plants and up to the customers tap. These tests are composed of over 200 test parameters. The types of parameters regularly monitored are summarised below. Compliance to the health standards set out in the Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (2011) is used as the minimal water quality standard Wannon Water aims to supply to its customers.
If you would like to see the most recent monthly water quality data, please visit the Water Quality Test Results webpage.
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What we test for
Risks to health
Organic and Inorganic chemicals
Wannon Water measures for a range of chemicals to ensure the health risks in water supplies are minimised. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines specify the limits for human health on a large number of parameters. Metals, radionuclides, hydrocarbons, herbicides, pesticides and a range of disinfection by-products from water treatment are all monitored, along with many other organic and inorganic chemicals.
Microbial tests
The most common and widespread health risk associated with drinking water is contamination by human or animal excreta. Pathogenic (disease causing) microorganisms of most concern include bacteria, viruses and protozoa.
Escherichia coli (E.coli)
E. Coli are bacteria found only in the intestinal track of humans and warm blooded animals. They are therefore a definite indication of faecal contamination. The presence of E.Coli in water indicates recent faecal contamination and should be acted on immediately.
Coliforms
Coliforms and plate counts are also monitored and considered indicative of the effectiveness of the treatment process.
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Taste, odour and appearance
Physical parameters
Physical parameters are largely influential to the taste, odour and appearance of water supplied to the customer. Turbidity is the cloudiness of water caused by small particles. pH can affect the taste of water and have a corrosive influence on infrastructure. Hardness and alkalinity can influence the taste and 'feel' of water, affecting the ability to build-up a lather when using soap and can also influence the taste. Total dissolved solids and colour of the water are also measured.
Chemical monitoring
Chemicals from source waters can also affect the aesthetic properties of water. Iron and Manganese are inorganic elements which occur naturally in soils and can cause staining on clothes and sinks. Organic matter from decaying plant matter in streams gives a colour to water which may cause staining.
Algae monitoring
Algae can impact significantly on taste and odour. Blue green algal species can also produce potentially harmful toxins. Algae species and abundance are regularly monitored.
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Operational monitoring
Wannon Water also undertakes numerous tests in order to asses the effectiveness of treatment and to aid in the treatment process. Monitoring of disinfection by-products, physical parameters such as turbidity and pH can aid in assessing any operational issues with treatment and gives a good indication of the effectiveness of the treatment process.
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