Drinking Water Quality Annual Report 2022-2023 by Cairns Regional Council

2 0 2 2 2 0 2 3

ANNUAL

REPORT DRINKING WATER SERVICE

Contents:

About this report Cairns Regional Council’s 2022/2023 Drinking Water Service Annual Report describes Council’s operational performance with drinking water quality, and reports on activities detailed in Council’s Drinking Water Quality Management

Plan (DWQMP), including results of tests taken to check drinking water quality. This report enables Council to fulfill its regulatory obligations under the Water

Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008. It does so by providing the Regulator with information on how Council has adhered to its DWQMP, met approval conditions and complied with the requirements of the Public Health Act 2005. This report aims to communicate comprehensive information to satisfy the needs of individuals and groups who have an interest in Cairns Regional Council’s drinking water, including: •

Our customers

•

Current, past and future employees

•

Government

•

The water industry

•

Businesses and industry

•

Researchers

A glossary of acronyms can be found at the end of the report.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Acknowledgment of country Cairns Regional Council acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Custodians of our region. We extend this respect to all elders past, present and future, and other First Peoples within our region.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Message from the Director I am proud to present Cairns Regional Council’s

•

Annual Drinking Water Report for 2022-2023. The goal of this report is to provide our customers

Progression of the Cairns emergency water supply plan.

•

Delivering asset improvements on critical water infrastructure:

and community an overview of our high-level

•

goals and strategic objectives, operating

Freshwater Water Treatment Plant filter refurbishment

highlights, and achievements in providing safe,

•

high-quality drinking water.

Freshwater Treatment Plant raw water upgrade

We strive to provide the highest level of service to our customers: meeting the demands of our

security of our water supply.

•

Sodium Hypochlorite storage and

•

our assets and continue to provide high quality significant progress in ensuring the long-term

Water main refurbishments dosing safety upgrades

service area, ensuring we maintain and improve water for the community. This year we have made

•

Bulk water reservoir upgrades

Continued implementation of demand management initiatives: •

Network leak detection and repair programs

During 2022-2023, some of our significant

•

achievements include: •

Installation of smart water meters, over 8000 meters installed

Progression of the Cairns Water Security Stage 1. This past year we have undertaken an Early Contractor Involvement procurement process to select a suitable contractor for the final design and delivery of the project. This procurement process is scheduled for completion in December 2023, with award

•

Community education

I would like to acknowledge all our staff for their hard work and dedication. Through their focus and perseverance, we ensured that our customers continued to enjoy both a high standard of service and supply of high-quality drinking water.

of the design and construct contract in early 2024.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

About us Cairns Regional Council is responsible for delivering

•

Undertaking regular monitoring of drinking

drinking water, sewerage, and recycled water services to

water quality and maintaining effective reporting

a population of over 170,000. Our 1687km2 geographic

mechanisms to provide relevant and timely

area is framed by the lush World Heritage listed Wet

information and promote confidence in the

Tropics rainforest to the west and north, and the Coral

management of the water supply systems.

Sea and World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to the east.

•

Having appropriate contingency plans and incident response capabilities in place to respond to and

Cairns Regional Council maintains a Drinking Water

manage water quality incidents.

Quality Management System (DWQMS) that is consistent with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011,

•

Auditing and reviewing our practices against

National Health and Medical Research Council of

industry standards and stakeholder expectations to

Australia). The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are

continually improve our performance.

hereon referred to as the ADWG. •

Maintaining competencies of council employees to

The DWQMS utilises a risk-based “catchment to tap”

improve knowledge about water quality, treatment

approach to identify and manage potential risks

standards and compliance procedures.

associated with drinking water quality. Council does this in partnership with stakeholders and relevant agencies,

•

by: •

community to encourage public awareness. Considering the needs and expectations of our

This annual report describes our performance in the

customers, stakeholders, regulators, and employees,

supply of drinking water for the 2022/2023 financial

and integrating appropriate solutions into our

year.

planning to provide and maintain safe water supplies.

Openly communicating our performance to the

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Drinking water statistics

$59.4

MILLION DRINKING WATER REVENUE SALE OF POTABLE WATER

REPLACEMENT COST OF WATER SUPPLY ASSETS

$25.7 MILLION SPENT ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

WATER SUPPLIED

25,916 ML

$1.3 BILLION

DRINKING

110 ML

2.33

CUSTOMER

$585 TYPICAL WATER BILL. BASED ON 200 KL PER ANNUM WATER USE

WATER QUALITY

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

COMPLAINTS PER 1000 CONNECTIONS

2,275 KM LENGTH OF WATER MAINS POPULATION RECEIVING WATER 174, 009 SERVICES

35,358 WATER

75,380

QUALITY

PROPERTIES

TESTS CODUCTED

CONNECTED

This page shows a summary of drinking water statistics for the 2022/2023 financial year.

Data sources: 1. SWIM 2022/2023 Indicators: CS1, AS2, CS2, CS3, CS4, WA74, WA32, WA34, WA36, WA201, PR43, FN39, FN59, FN74, CS9 2. CRC Laboratory database aggregated statistics tables #7272175 #7272165 3. CRC Finance Department #7267316

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Sourcing and delivering water Cairns Regional Council provides drinking water services to nine water supply ‘schemes.’ Schemes start at the intake point on waterways, pass through treatment plants, bulk storage reservoirs, water distribution networks and end at the customer water meter. Council’s largest water supply scheme is the Copperlode/Behana scheme, which services the city of Cairns. A map of Council’s drinking water schemes is shown in Figure 1 below. Refer to Table 1 below for more information regarding each scheme.

Figure 1: Scheme Boundaries

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 1: Summary of Cairns Regional Council Drinking Water Supply Schemes Scheme Name

Water Source

Copperlode/Behana

Copperlode Dam via Freshwater Creek

Copperlode/Behana

Babinda

Bartle Frere

Bellenden Ker

Bramston Beach

Fishery Falls

Behana Creek

Frenchman Creek

Majuba Creek

Junction Creek

Worth Creek

Fishery Creek

Catchment Characteristics

Treatment Barriers

Total Connected Properties1

Population receiving water services1

State Forest World Heritage Gated recreational access by permit holder

Belt screen Coagulation Flocculation Direct filtration pH correction Chlorination

73,759

170,262

National Park World Heritage

0.5mm Coandă Microscreen 50 micron filter 1 micron filter UV Chlorination

742

1,660

Bartle Frere and Woopen Creek

National Park World Heritage

0.5mm Coandă Microscreen 50 micron filter 1 micron filter UV Chlorination

156

381

Bellenden Ker

National Park World Heritage

0.5mm Coandă Microscreen 50 micron filter 1 micron filter UV Chlorination

119

287

0.5mm Coandă Microscreen 50 micron filter 1 micron filter UV Chlorination

159

378

191

442

198

467

Communities Served

Goldsborough, Gordonvale, Bessie Point, the suburbs of greater Cairns from Edmonton in the South to Buchans National Park World Point in the North Heritage

Babinda

Bramston Beach

Fishery Falls

World Heritage

National Park World Heritage

Coandă screen Drum micro strainer UV Chlorination

0.5mm Coandă Microscreen 50 micron pre filter 2 micron AMIAD auto-flush filter UV Chlorination

Mirriwinni

Pugh Creek

Mirriwinni

National Park World Heritage

0.5mm Coandă Microscreen 50 micron filter 1 micron filter UV Chlorination

Mountain View

Little Mulgrave River

Mountain View

Rural and Rural Residential

50 micron filter 1 micron filter UV Chlorination

Orchid Valley

Rural and Rural Residential

50 micron filter 1 micron filter UV Chlorination

Orchid Valley

Little Mulgrave River

Russell Heads3 Bessie Point2

Decommissioned - now serviced by Copperlode/Behana supply.

¹ Data sourced from 22/23 SWIM reporting. Indicators used: CS4 Total connected properties: water, CS1 Population receiving water services ² Russell Heads is a non-potable supply.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Managing safe drinking water Drinking water legislation

procedures and work practices of Council into a

The supply of safe and reliable drinking water in

structured management system.

Queensland is regulated by state legislation, including the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 and

The System is designed to formalise and link together

the Public Health Act 2005. Under the Water Supply

procedures and practices, and assist in setting priorities,

(Safety and Reliability) Act 2008, the Department

allocation of resources and performance of daily work

of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water

activities.

(DRDMW) regulates Council to ensure that drinking water services are conducted in accordance with an

A key attribute of the DWQMS is continual improvement,

approved DWQMP. Under the Public Health Act 2005,

which includes improving the system itself. Any issues

Queensland Health regulates drinking water quality to

that arise with the system are viewed as opportunities

protect public health. This legislation establishes an E.

for improvement.

coli standard for this purpose. DWQMS Core Elements The ADWG set health guideline values which have been

Our DWQMS is based on the following core elements

incorporated into the Public Health Regulation 2018 as

that make up the overall systems management approach:

water quality criteria for drinking water in Queensland. •

Organisation commitment

Framework for managing drinking water

•

Planning and risk assessment

Cairns Regional Council’s methodology for managing

•

Asset management and renewal

drinking water quality is through a developed Drinking

•

Hazard analysis and critical controls

Water Quality Management System (DWQMS), based

•

Preventative measures

on the ADWG Framework for Management of Drinking

•

Monitoring and verification

Water Quality. The primary aim is to provide safe

•

Information management

drinking water to Cairns Regional Council customers.

•

Incident management

The DWQMS provides a framework to bring together,

•

Continuous improvement

and supplement where necessary, the operational

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

DWQMP implementation The implementation of the DWQMP is the responsibility

The policy is available to the public via the following link:

of the Director of Cairns Infrastructure and Assets,

https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_

supported by key operational staff and subject matter

file/0011/9200/Drinking-Water-Quality-General-Policy.

experts.

pdf.

Officers responsible for the implementation of the

Attendance at Department Training and Industry

DWQMP meet quarterly to review the verification

Conferences

monitoring program, any drinking water incidents,

Council staff participate in industry training events and

any customer complaints, and risk management

conferences to maintain professional development and

improvement items.

to network with contemporaries from across the water sector. Events attended in the 2022/2023 reporting

Distribution of the Drinking Water Quality Management

period include:

Plan and Drinking Water Quality Policy Council maintains a current version of the DWQMP in

•

FNQROC Water Sub-group Meetings

its corporate document management system which

•

Australian Water Association Queensland Conference,

is available to all relevant staff. Council has a Drinking

Cairns 20-21 October 2022

Water Quality General Policy, endorsed by the Chief

•

Executive Officer, “to support the implementation and

DRDMW Water Supply Regulation – Drinking Water Regulation Workshop, Cairns on 15 March 2023

maintenance of a Drinking Water Quality Management

•

System consistent with the Australian Drinking Water

Ozwater’23 – Australian Water Association National Conference, Sydney 9-12 May 2023

Guidelines.” The policy assigns responsibility for the

•

management of drinking water quality to all Cairns

RDMW Water Supply Regulation – Drinking Water Regulation Workshop, 31 July 2023

Infrastructure and Assets staff whilst acknowledging that corporate responsibility lies with the management team and ultimately with the Chief Executive Officer.

Training of staff Council recognises that drinking water quality awareness training for staff is a critical element of the system. The DWQMP commits to awareness training of staff through internal information sessions. During 2022/2023 the Drinking Water Quality Management Systems (12 Elements) awareness training continued. A review of the training schedule has been completed to formalise the various forms of training required for individual roles. This has resulted in the following training planned for the forthcoming year: •

Delivery of internal onboarding experience for all new employees

•

Industry developed Aqua Card online course for all new water employees

•

Drinking Water Quality Duty of Care (internal)

•

Drinking Water Quality Incident Management (internal)

•

Introduction to the Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality (externally provided)

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Coordination Team A qualified and experienced team (listed in Table 2) is responsible for coordinating the DWQMS. This team convenes quarterly and reports to the CIA directorate (management) meetings. Their focus areas include:

Table 2: Drinking Water Quality Coordination Team. Position of Internal Stakeholder

Executive Manager Utilities Services

Reason for Inclusion

Overall responsibility for operation system and governance. System sign-off.

•

System review, including risk register review

Executive Manager

Overall responsibility for

•

Quality and critical control points

Business Performance &

quality system and governance.

•

Exceedances

Compliance

System sign-off.

•

Complaints received

•

Standard operating procedures

Water Services

network operational

•

Business continuity plans

Coordinator

management and process

•

Operational descriptions

•

Drawings (as constructed and piping and instrumentation diagrams)

•

SCADA schematics

•

System implementation, optimisation, and maintenance

Drinking water customer service performance data is compiled monthly and reported quarterly to Council. Data includes mains breaks, unplanned interruptions,

Rural systems and reticulation

controller. Coordinator Strategic

Rural systems and reticulation

Asset Management and

network strategic asset

Planning WaRR and/or

management.

Senior Asset Strategy

Strategic planning of water

Engineer

infrastructure.

Process and Treatment Coordinator

Treatment system operational management and process controller.

response times, and water quality complaints as well as reportable drinking water non-compliances.

Process Engineer Water

Source water

Coordinator Asset Information Management

Treatment system operations and process technical advice.

Asset management.

The first step in an effective DWQMS is to understand the hazards associated with the natural water sources

Coordinator Program

Delivery of capital works

where drinking water is sourced. Council achieves

Delivery

program.

Program. The Program allows for the quantitative and

Team Leader Demand

Water delivery management

qualitative assessment of risks in the catchments to

Management

and technical advice.

this through an extensive Source Water Monitoring

determine treatment requirements.

Table 3 summarises Council’s Source Water Monitoring

SCADA Coordinator

Maintain SCADA systems. Technical advice for SCADA.

Program. This is not an exhaustive list; the complete list of summarised results by scheme can be found in the section on Source Water Monitoring Program Results Summary Statistics, below.

Team Leader Water & Environment

System support. Regulatory liaison, maintenance of systems, internal auditing.

Water and Environment

System and regulatory support,

Systems Officer

advice and investigations.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 3: General Summary of Source Water Monitoring Program Scheme

Babinda, Bartle Frere, Bellenden Ker, Bramston Beach, Fishery Falls, Mirriwinni, Mountain View, Orchid Valley

Parameter Monitored E. coli Cryptosporidium Giardia Temperature Turbidity

Monthly

Iron Manganese Silicon Calcium Magnesium Potassium Sodium Total hardness Total dissolved salts Colour Electrical conductance pH Total alkalinity Sulphate Chloride Fluoride

Quarterly

Cryptosporidium Giardia Turbidity

Weekly

E. coli and total coliforms

Behana Creek Intake

Copperlode/Behana

Freshwater Creek Intake

Frequency of Monitoring

Fortnightly

Aluminium (total & dissolved) Blue-green algae Calcium Colour Dissolved organic carbon Iron (total & dissolved) Magnesium Manganese (total & dissolved) pH Total alkalinity Total hardness Total nitrogen Total organic carbon Total oxidised nitrogen

Monthly

Colour E. coli and total coliforms Electrical conductance Heterotrophic plate count Iron Manganese Ph Turbidity

Weekly

Dissolved oxygen Temperature Sulphide

Monthly

Alkalinity Ammonia Blue-green algae Chlorophyll a Ortho phosphate Total oxidised nitrogen Total nitrogen Total phosphorous Thermotolerant coliforms

Quarterly

Arsenic Calcium Chloride Magnesium Organochlorine pesticides Organophosphate pesticides Potassium Silicon Sodium Sulphate Tin Total dissolved salts Total hardness

Six monthly

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Source water monitoring program results summary statistics This section provides a complete summary of source water monitoring results. Note: ‘Not detected’ (ND) and ‘less than’ results have been replaced with zero prior to calculation of averages, which require whole numbers.

Table 4: Babinda Source Water Summary Statistics

BABINDA Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Apparent colour

7.929

3.5

4.1

Pt/Co units

Calcium

0.750

0.54

0.92

0.72

mg/L

Chloride

6.443

5.1

5.6

mg/L

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

0.333

(oo)cyst/10L

Confirmed Giardia

0.250

(oo)cyst/10L

E. coli

193.077

880

CFU/100mL

Electrical conductance

33.360

µS/cm

Fluoride

0.021

0.02

0.03

0.02

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

0.025

<0.050

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

0.001

<0.002

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

14.244

mg/L SiO2

Magnesium

0.385

0.34

0.43

0.37

mg/L

7.107

6.8

7.2

Potassium

1.051

0.88

1.2

0.99

mg/L

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

0.083

(oo)cyst/10L

Presumptive Giardia

0.583

(oo)cyst/10L

Sodium

4.424

3.6

4.8

4.5

mg/L

Sulphate

1.426

1.4

mg/L

Temperature

22.269

°C

Total alkalinity

6.798

4.9

8.1

6.5

mg CaCO3 / L

Total dissolved salts (calc)

32.822

mg/L

Total hardness

3.471

2.7

4.1

3.3

mg CaCO3 / L

True colour

6.714

3.4

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

0.391

0.2

0.8

0.3

NTU

Result Name

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 5: Bartle Frere Source Water Summary Statistics

BARTLE FRERE Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Apparent colour

6.084

2.6

3.35

Pt/Co units

Calcium

0.780

0.57

0.76

mg/L

Chloride

3.929

3.3

4.5

3.95

mg/L

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

0.167

(oo)cyst/10L

Confirmed Giardia

0.167

(oo)cyst/10L

E. coli

67.077

180

CFU/100mL

Electrical conductance

28.350

µS/cm

Fluoride

0.027

0.02

0.04

0.025

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

0.021

<0.050

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

0.001

<0.002

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

13.451

mg/L SiO2

Magnesium

0.302

0.28

0.34

0.295

mg/L

7.019

6.8

7.1

Potassium

0.842

0.72

0.815

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

(oo)cyst/10L

Presumptive Giardia

(oo)cyst/10L

Sodium

3.872

3.3

4.3

3.95

mg/L

Sulphate

1.216

1.9

1.1

mg/L

Temperature

20.731

°C

Total alkalinity

6.413

5.1

7.5

6.5

mg CaCO3 / L

Total dissolved salts (calc)

28.266

28.5

mg/L

Total hardness

3.175

2.6

3.9

3.1

mg CaCO3 / L

True colour

4.629

1.6

1.75

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

0.292

0.2

0.5

0.3

NTU

Result Name

mg/L

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Table 6: Bellenden Ker Source Water Summary Statistics

BELLENDEN KER Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Apparent colour

4.051

3.7

4.6

3.95

Pt/Co units

Calcium

0.560

0.49

0.65

0.55

mg/L

Chloride

5.257

4.3

4.85

mg/L

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

0.333

(oo)cyst/10L

Confirmed Giardia

0.167

(oo)cyst/10L

E. coli

142.615

270

120

CFU/100mL

Electrical conductance

29.050

µS/cm

Fluoride

0.019

0.02

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

0.017

<0.050

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

0.001

<0.002

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

12.524

mg/L SiO2

Magnesium

0.342

0.32

0.37

0.34

mg/L

7.029

6.9

7.1

7.05

Potassium

0.846

0.76

0.8

mg/L

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

0.083

(oo)cyst/10L

Presumptive Giardia

0.417

(oo)cyst/10L

Sodium

4.129

3.7

4.5

4.15

mg/L

Sulphate

1.114

1.1

1.2

1.1

mg/L

Temperature

20.715

°C

Total alkalinity

5.268

4.4

5.9

5.35

mg CaCO3 / L

Total dissolved salts (calc)

27.953

28.5

mg/L

Total hardness

2.809

2.5

3.1

2.75

mg CaCO3 / L

True colour

2.809

2.3

3.5

2.7

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

0.495

0.2

1.5

0.4

NTU

Result Name

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 7: Bramston Beach Source Water Summary Statistics

BRAMSTON BEACH Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Apparent colour

4.360

1.5

3.4

Pt/Co units

Calcium

1.395

1.2

1.6

1.4

mg/L

Chloride

7.890

7.4

8.1

mg/L

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

Confirmed Giardia

0.100

(oo)cyst/10L

E. coli

58.588

420

CFU/100mL

Electrical conductance

43.983

µS/cm

Fluoride

0.022

0.02

0.03

0.02

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

0.043

<0.050

0.109

<0.050

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

0.003

<0.002

0.01

0.001

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

8.328

9.1

8.85

mg/L SiO2

Magnesium

1.262

1.5

1.3

mg/L

6.945

6.7

7.1

Potassium

0.308

0.26

0.46

0.27

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

(oo)cyst/10L

Presumptive Giardia

(oo)cyst/10L

Sodium

4.597

4.3

4.9

4.65

mg/L

Sulphate

1.405

1.2

1.8

1.35

mg/L

Temperature

25.071

°C

Total alkalinity

7.370

8.8

7.5

mg CaCO3 / L

Total dissolved salts (calc)

29.627

mg/L

Total hardness

8.670

7.1

9.9

8.8

mg CaCO3 / L

True colour

2.628

1.1

8.5

1.2

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

0.877

0.1

4.9

0.4

NTU

Result Name

(oo)cyst/10L

mg/L

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Table 8: Copperlode/Behana Source Water Summary Statistics

COPPERLODE/BEHANA Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Ammonia

147

0.074

0.02

1.7

mg/L N

Apparent colour

211

28.722

4.2

>150

Pt/Co units

Calcium

0.667

0.23

1.6

0.495

mg/L

Chloride

10.419

6.5

10.25

mg/L

Conductivity (in situ)*

232

47.215

140

µS/cm

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

0.152

(oo)cyst/10L

Confirmed Giardia

0.330

(oo)cyst/10L

Dissolved organic carbon

1.350

0.8

2.9

1.35

mg/L

Dissolved oxygen (in situ)

358

4.417

<0.1

9.1

5.1

mg/L

E. coli

115

84.443

2400

CFU/100mL

Electrical conductance*

138

44.358

230

µS/cm

Heterotrophic plate count

332.289

1600

280

CFU/mL

ICPMS Aluminium

0.090

0.036

0.501

0.042

mg/L

ICPMS Aluminium (dissolved)

0.039

0.022

0.101

0.027

mg/L

ICPMS Arsenic

0.002

0.0012

0.0022

0.0017

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.348

<0.015

1.18

0.356

mg/L

ICPMS Iron (dissolved)

0.020

<0.015

0.042

0.0165

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

266

1.168

0.073

0.4005

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.038

0.0011

0.131

0.03375

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese (dissolved)

0.001

0.0005

0.0018

0.0007

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

266

0.108

0.008

1.57

0.029

mg/L

ICPMS Tin

0.000

<0.001

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

8.933

8.9

8.95

mg/L SiO2

Intestinal enterococci

7.188

150

CFU/100mL

Magnesium

0.613

0.29

1.2

0.505

mg/L

Ortho phosphate (OP)

147

0.002

<0.01

mg/L P

Pesticides (organochlorine & organophosphate)

152

pH*

150

7.053

6.4

10.1

7.15

pH (in situ)*

232

6.068

5.1

8.1

Potassium

0.737

0.71

0.77

0.74

mg/L

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

0.061

(oo)cyst/10L

Presumptive Giardia

0.126

(oo)cyst/10L

Reported chlorophyll a

9.699

8.45

µg/L

Sodium

4.986

4.7

5.3

mg/L

Sulphide as S2-

0.000

<0.1

mg/L

Sulphate

1.639

1.1

2.1

1.6

mg/L

Temperature

358

23.901

°C

Thermotolerant coliforms

143.719

1200

CFU/100mL

Result Name

<LOR

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

µg/L

COPPERLODE/BEHANA Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Total nitrogen (TN)*

0.487

<0.1

1.9

<0.1

mg/L N

Total nitrogen (TN) (low level)*

141

0.234

0.07

1.2

0.19

mg/L N

Total nitrogen as N*

0.135

0.06

0.24

0.12

mg/L

Total oxidised nitrogen (TON)

154

0.018

<0.01

0.08

0.01

mg/L N

Total alkalinity

9.173

1.7

8.8

mg CaCO3 / L

Total coliforms

115

6388.696

360

45000

3900

CFU/100mL

Total dissolved salts (calc)

34.592

34.5

mg/L

Total hardness

4.210

1.8

8.9

3.35

mg CaCO3 / L

Total organic carbon

1.475

0.8

1.35

mg/L

Total phosphorus (TP) (low level)*

143

0.010

<0.02

0.07

<0.02

mg/L P

Total phosphorus as P*

0.006

<0.005

0.017

0.006

mg/L

True colour

48.499

2.8

>150

7.15

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

251

2.879

0.3

180

1.5

NTU

Result Name

Blue Green Algae Monitoring

Anagnostidinema (Cyanophyta)

90.00

Cells/mL

Aphanocapsa (Cyanophyta)*

4800.00

1400

8200

4800

Cells/mL

Aphanocapsa (Cyan.)*

3838.10

300

10400

1600

Cells/mL

Chlorophyta

8575.00

25600

7300

Cells/mL

Chroococcus (Cyanophyta)

1000.00

1000

Cells/mL

Cyanocatena (Cyanophyta)

9400.00

9400

Cells/mL

Cyanogranis (Cyan.)*

4928.00

120

32400

2900

Cells/mL

Cyanogranis (Cyanophyta)*

1800.00

1800

Cells/mL

Diatoms (Bacillariophyta)

982.65

14000

640

Cells/mL

Dolichospermum sp. (Cyanophyta)

140.00

140

Cells/mL

Glaucospira (Cyanophyta)

933.33

480

1800

520

Cells/mL

Leptolyngbya (Cyanophyta)

40.00

Cells/mL

Mixed algae

0.00

<100

Cells/mL

No cyanophyta detected

Planktolyngbya sp

3200.00

200

4600

3800

Cells/mL

Pseudanabaena (Cyanophyta)

175.00

130

220

175

Cells/mL

Snowella

440.00

440

Cells/mL

Total cyanophyta

7603.81

120

32800

5800

Cells/mL

Total potentially toxic cyanophyta

Cells/mL

*Duplicated parameters can occur due to variations in how labs test and report data. For this report, we can consider them as equivalent.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Table 9: Fishery Falls Source Water Summary Statistics

FISHERY FALLS Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Apparent colour

6.492

5.7

7.4

6.45

Pt/Co units

Calcium

1.153

1.1

1.2

mg/L

Chloride

6.395

5.7

6.9

6.5

mg/L

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

Confirmed Giardia

0.250

(oo)cyst/10L

E. coli

75.000

270

CFU/100mL

Electrical conductance

43.350

µS/cm

Fluoride

0.034

0.03

0.04

0.035

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

0.035

<0.050

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

0.001

0.002

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

17.768

mg/L SiO2

Magnesium

0.920

0.8

0.99

0.945

mg/L

7.351

7.3

7.4

7.3

Potassium

0.776

0.75

0.81

0.78

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

Presumptive Giardia

0.083

(oo)cyst/10L

Sodium

5.557

5.3

5.4

mg/L

Sulphate

1.516

1.4

1.6

1.55

mg/L

Temperature

21.388

21.5

°C

Total alkalinity

10.279

mg CaCO3 / L

Total dissolved salts (calc)

40.287

mg/L

Total hardness

6.702

7.1

6.9

mg CaCO3 / L

True colour

4.409

3.6

6.1

4.1

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

0.707

0.3

2.6

0.6

NTU

Result Name

(oo)cyst/10L

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

mg/L (oo)cyst/10L

Table 10: Mirriwinni Source Water Summary Statistics

MIRIWINNI Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Apparent colour

4.955

2.2

3.5

Pt/Co units

Calcium

0.500

0.42

0.6

0.495

mg/L

Chloride

4.335

3.8

4.7

4.4

mg/L

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

Confirmed Giardia

0.417

(oo)cyst/10L

E. coli

158.000

290

150

CFU/100mL

Electrical conductance

27.550

27.5

µS/cm

Fluoride

0.022

0.02

0.03

0.025

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

0.010

<0.050

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

0.001

<0.002

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

12.846

13.5

mg/L SiO2

Magnesium

0.296

0.28

0.32

0.295

mg/L

6.981

6.7

7.1

7.05

Potassium

0.838

0.79

0.93

0.82

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

Presumptive Giardia

0.333

(oo)cyst/10L

Sodium

3.909

3.6

4.2

3.95

mg/L

Sulphate

1.130

1.6

1.1

mg/L

Temperature

20.685

°C

Total alkalinity

5.318

4.5

5.8

5.45

mg CaCO3 / L

Total dissolved salts (calc)

27.066

27.5

mg/L

Total hardness

2.480

2.2

2.8

2.4

mg CaCO3 / L

True colour

3.377

1.1

9.3

1.55

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

0.277

0.2

0.5

0.3

NTU

Result Name

(oo)cyst/10L

mg/L (oo)cyst/10L

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Table 11: Mountain View Source Water Summary Statistics

MOUNTAIN VIEW Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Apparent colour

6.892

5.3

8.4

6.95

Pt/Co units

Calcium

3.415

3.1

3.25

mg/L

Chloride

6.137

5.9

6.6

6.1

mg/L

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

Confirmed Giardia

0.083

(oo)cyst/10L

E. coli

159.692

410

160

CFU/100mL

Electrical conductance

59.425

µS/cm

Fluoride

0.039

0.03

0.04

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

0.084

0.073

0.096

0.083

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

0.006

0.005

0.007

0.005

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

19.249

18.5

mg/L SiO2

Magnesium

1.076

0.99

1.2

1.05

mg/L

7.274

7.2

7.4

7.3

Potassium

1.054

0.98

1.1

1.05

mg/L

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

0.083

(oo)cyst/10L

Presumptive Giardia

Sodium

6.349

5.9

6.9

6.3

mg/L

Sulphate

2.008

1.3

1.4

mg/L

Temperature

22.992

°C

Total alkalinity

18.459

mg CaCO3 / L

Total dissolved salts (calc)

50.403

mg/L

Total hardness

12.906

12.5

mg CaCO3 / L

True colour

4.733

3.5

6.2

4.65

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

1.327

0.4

8.1

0.5

NTU

Result Name

(oo)cyst/10L

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

(oo)cyst/10L

Table 12: Orchid Valley Source Water Summary Statistics

ORCHID VALLEY Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units

Apparent Colour

8.814

6.65

Pt/Co units

Calcium

2.871

2.6

3.4

2.75

mg/L

Chloride

5.743

5.4

6.2

5.7

mg/L

Confirmed Cryptosporidium

(oo)cyst/10L

Confirmed Giardia

(oo)cyst/10L

E coli

144.692

490

CFU/100mL

Electrical Conductance

53.400

µS/cm

Fluoride

0.037

0.03

0.04

mg/L

ICPOES Iron

0.088

<0.050

0.175

0.066

mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

0.006

0.003

0.012

0.0045

mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

18.600

18.5

mg/ L SiO2

Magnesium

0.817

0.78

0.9

0.79

mg/L

7.279

7.2

7.4

7.3

Potassium

1.048

0.95

1.1

mg/L

Presumptive Cryptosporidium

(oo)cyst/10L

Presumptive Giardia

(oo)cyst/10L

Sodium

5.899

5.3

6.4

5.95

mg/L

Sulphate

1.398

1.3

1.6

1.3

mg/L

Temperature

22.369

°C

Total Alkalinity

15.800

15.5

mg CaCO3 / L

Total Dissolved Salts (calc)

45.894

mg/L

Total Hardness

10.535

9.7

mg CaCO3 / L

True Colour

4.123

3.2

5.2

4.05

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

1.150

0.3

3.9

0.7

NTU

Result Name

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Treated water Council monitors the quality of treated water to confirm that treatment of source water from the environment is effective and that reservoirs, distribution mains, and reticulation pipes maintain water safe for consumption. This testing is undertaken in accordance with a comprehensive Verification Monitoring Program (VMP) to ensure that the barriers and preventive measures in place to protect public health are performing effectively. Verification monitoring by the NATA accredited Cairns Regional Council Laboratory Services staff is conducted at dedicated sampling points located at intakes, treatment sites, major reservoirs and within the reticulation network.

Table 13 below provides a high level schedule of Council’s VMP. This is not an exhaustive list, the complete details of all results are provided in summary charts and tables for verification monitoring in the sections below, including: Performance against the Verification Monitoring Program; Microbiological pathogens; Overall assessment; and Summary Verification Monitoring Program.

Table 13: General summary of Verification Monitoring Program

System Component

Reticulation network

Reservoirs

Parameter Monitored

Frequency of Monitoring

Alkalinity* Chlorine (free & total) Colour E. coli and total coliforms Electrical Conductivity* Heterotrophic plate count pH Temperature Turbidity

Weekly

Aluminium Chlorate* Copper Iron Manganese

Monthly

Alkalinity Chlorine (free & total) E. coli and total coliforms Heterotrophic plate count pH Temperature Colour* Turbidity* Aluminium* Copper* Iron* Manganese*

Weekly

Chlorite Naegleria Total Trihalomethanes

Monthly*

Ammonia Nitrate Nitrite Chloride Sodium Total dissolved solids Sulphate Zinc Total Trihalomethanes

Six monthly*

*at selected site/s.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Performance against the Verification Monitoring Program Table 14 summarises the water quality tests conducted

to meet regulatory requirements. Any reduction

under Council’s VMP. Outlined are the number of

to monitoring is approved through the executive

tests required as per Council’s DWQMP and the actual

management team.

number of tests conducted. ADWG aesthetic or health guideline values have been provided where available,

If the change is significant or there is a possibility that

and commentary for non-compliances is included in the

the Public Health Regulation minimum requirements may

table.

not be met, Council and Queensland Health collaborate to create a mutually acceptable short-term sampling

Although every effort is made to adhere strictly to

program.

the VMP, circumstances occasionally prevent samples being collected, and in these instances a “no-sample” is

The timing of sample collection either side of the

reported by the Laboratory. The VMP has been designed

financial year reporting period can result in discrepancies

to give a degree of flexibility and allow for several

between planned and actual sample numbers. In some

“no-sample” events per year in each scheme. Council

cases, duplicate samples are also collected by the

has Business Continuity Plans in place to ensure that

laboratory for quality control and statistical analysis

essential services can be maintained during periods of

purposes. Parameters where there is no ‘Number

interruption.

samples planned to be collected as per DWQMP’ specified are generally additional tests, conducted as

At certain times a reduced VMP may need to be

a result of another test. For example, true colour is

implemented, it is important however to maintain

generally only tested when apparent colour exceeds a

sufficient testing both to protect public health and

certain threshold.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Table 14: Performance against Verification Monitoring Program

Scheme

Parameter

Apparent colour

Number of samples planned to be collected as per DWQMP

Actual Number Collected

104

107

Chlorate

ADWG Guideline Value

Number Noncompliant

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

E. coli

104

108

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

104

108

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

104

107

ICPMS Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPMS Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPMS Lead

≤ 0.01 mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

Babinda

104

107

Temperature

104

108

Total chlorine

104

108

Total coliforms

104

108

≤ 5.0 mg/L

≤ 5 NTU

Turbidity

104

107

104

109 2

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

E. coli

104

111

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

104

111

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

104

109

ICPMS Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPMS Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPMS Lead

≤ 0.01 mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

Apparent colour Chlorate

Bartle Frere

6.5 - 8.5

104

109

Temperature

104

111

Total chlorine

104

111

Total coliforms

104

111

Turbidity

104

109

6.5 - 8.5

≤ 5.0 mg/L

≤ 5 NTU

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Comments

Aesthetic exceedances are commonly associated with an interaction between the water and cement lined pipes in the reticulation network. Alkaline water above a pH of 8 can impair the efficiency of chlorine disinfection. Council closely monitor disinfection performance through testing microbial indicators to ensure the effectiveness of chlorine is not compromised by elevated pH.

The majority of aesthetic exceedances in this scheme fall just below the guideline limit. Drinking water with a pH below 6.5 can affect the solubility of heavy metals and result in corrosion. Council routinely monitors for metals in the drinking water system to ensure that the quality of water supplied is not compromised by low pH.

Scheme

Parameter

Apparent colour

Number of samples planned to be collected as per DWQMP

Actual Number Collected

Chlorate

Bellenden Ker

ADWG Guideline Value

Number Noncompliant

Comments

Queensland Health has established an interim guideline value for chlorate concentrations in drinking water. During investigative monitoring in the Bellenden Ker scheme, a single exceedance was detected. This was reported to the Regulator and is detailed further in Table 35 under the Notifying the Regulator section.

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

E. coli

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

ICPMS Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPMS Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPMS Lead

≤ 0.01 mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

Temperature

Total chlorine

Total coliforms

Turbidity

6.5 - 8.5

≤ 5.0 mg/L 0 ≤ 5 NTU Naegleria testing is completed every four weeks at one site in the Bramston Beach scheme. Naegleria testing involves firstly testing for the presence of Thermophilic Amoeba in a sample. If Thermophilic Amoeba are detected, further testing is done on the sample to determine if certain species are present; Naegleria fowleri and/or Naegleria spp. The 13 samples collected and tested for 'Amoeba - Thermophilic Amoeba' indicate the total number of samples collected under Naegleria testing. No samples detected Thermophilic Amoeba and therefore no further testing was required for speciation.

Amoeba - Naegleria Amoeba - Thermophilic Amoeba

Amoeba speciation Naegleria fowleri

Not detected

Amoeba speciation Naegleria spp Apparent colour

54 2

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

E. coli

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

ICPMS Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

Chlorate Bramston Beach

Aesthetic exceedances are associated with an interaction between the water and cement lined pipes in the reticulation network. Alkaline water above a pH of 8 can impair the efficiency of chlorine disinfection. Council closely monitors disinfection performance through testing microbial indicators to ensure the effectiveness of chlorine is not compromised by elevated pH.

ICPMS Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPMS Lead

≤ 0.01 mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

Total chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Total coliforms

Turbidity

≤ 5 NTU

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Scheme

Parameter

Ammonia

Number of samples planned to be collected as per DWQMP

Actual Number Collected

ADWG Guideline Value

Number Noncompliant

≤ 0.39 mg/L

0 Naegleria testing is completed every four weeks at six sites in the Copperlode/Behana scheme. During part of the 2022/2023 reporting period, one of the sampling sites was unable to be accessed due to ongoing construction works. This accounts for the shortfall between the number of the samples planned to be collected and the actual number collected.

Amoeba - Naegleria

CopperlodeBehana

Amoeba - thermophilic amoeba

Apparent colour

1417

1527

True colour

≤ 15.0 Pt/Co units

Bromodichloromethane

142

<= 0.8 mg/L

Bromoform

142

Chlorate

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

≤ 250.0 mg/L

Chlorite

143

138

≤ 0.8 mg/L

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

≤ 5.0 mg/L

142

Dibromochloromethane

142

E. coli

2093

2252

Electrical conductance

Free chlorine

2093

2202

Heterotrophic plate count

2093

2225

ICPMS Aluminium

585

608

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPMS Copper

589

611

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

ICPMS Lead

ICPMS Manganese

Chloride

Chloroform

585

537

585

608

562

608

Comments

≤ 0.3 mg/L

≤ 0.01 mg/L

≤ 0.1 mg/L

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

There was a single exceedance of the aesthetic guideline limit for iron during the reporting period. A value of 2.5 mg/L was recorded at Clifton Beach on 31 May 2023, and elevated turbidity was also observed at this site. Investigations have indicated that network maintenance work was being performed at the time of sampling, likely responsible for the exceedances. No customer complaints were received in the affected suburb, and follow-up sampling conducted on 8 June 2023 confirmed that the results were well below the guideline limit.

The lead concentration in a Redlynch Valley sample collected 12 December 2022 yielded a result of 0.0162mg/L, exceeding the health guideline of 0.01mg/L. This incident was reported to the Regulator and is detailed further in Table 36 under the section Notifying the Regulator.

On 1 February 2023, a manganese result of 0.121mg/L, exceeding the aesthetic guideline, was reported at an Edge Hill sampling point. In response, a water services team visited the site and carried out flushing of the water mains. There were no customer complaints in the vicinity, and subsequent monitoring has shown no additional water quality concerns.

Number of samples planned to be collected as per DWQMP

Actual Number Collected

ADWG Guideline Value

Number Noncompliant

≤ 3.0 mg/L

ICPOES Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPOES Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPOES Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPOES Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

ICPOES Silicon

≤ 80 mg/L SiO2

Scheme

Parameter

ICPMS Zinc

Nitrate

≤ 11.3 mg/L

Nitrite

≤ 0.91 mg/L

2093

2177

6.5 - 8.5

Sodium

≤ 180.0 mg/L

Sulphate

≤ 250.0 mg/L

Temperature

2093

2201

Total alkalinity

728

755

Total chlorine

2093

2202

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Total coliforms

2093

2252

≤ 600 mg/L

≤ 250.0 µg/L

CopperlodeBehana

Total dissolved solids Total oxidised nitrogen Total trihalomethanes

Turbidity

Comments

Of these aesthetic exceedances, most were beyond the upper limit of 8.5, occurring at various sites within the scheme. Yorkeys Knob and Edmonton experienced the highest number of exceedances, followed by Gordonvale, Smithfield, and Holloways Beach. The rest were isolated, 'one-off' exceedances throughout the year. Elevated pH levels are often linked to interactions between the water and cement-lined pipes in the distribution network. Water with a pH above 8 can reduce the effectiveness of chlorine disinfection. Council closely monitors disinfection performance by testing microbial indicators to ensure that elevated pH levels do not compromise the efficiency of chlorine treatment.

4 147

1417

142

1527

≤ 5 NTU

There was one instance where the aesthetic guideline limit for turbidity was exceeded in the reporting period. On 31 May 2023, a reading of 5.7NTU was reported at Clifton Beach, with elevated iron levels also detected at this location. Subsequent investigations revealed that network maintenance work was underway during the sampling, which likely caused the exceedances. No customer complaints were reported in the affected suburb. Follow-up sampling conducted on 8 June 2023 confirmed that the results were well below the guideline limit.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Scheme

Parameter

Apparent colour

Number of samples planned to be collected as per DWQMP

Actual Number Collected

Chlorate

Fishery Falls

Number Noncompliant

Comments

Queensland Health has established an interim guideline value for chlorate concentrations in drinking water. During investigative monitoring in the Fishery Falls scheme, two exceedances were detected. This was reported to the Regulator and is detailed further in Table 35 under the Notifying the Regulator section.

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

E. coli

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

ICPMS Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPMS Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPMS Lead

≤ 0.01 mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

Total chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Total coliforms

Turbidity

≤ 5 NTU

Apparent colour

55 2

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

Chlorate

Miriwinni

ADWG Guideline Value

E. coli

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

ICPMS Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPMS Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPMS Lead

≤ 0.01 mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

6.5 - 8.5

≤ 5.0 mg/L

≤ 5 NTU

Temperature

Total chlorine

Total coliforms

Turbidity

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Scheme

Parameter

Apparent colour

Number of samples planned to be collected as per DWQMP

Actual Number Collected

ADWG Guideline Value

Number Noncompliant

Comments

Queensland Health has established an interim guideline value for chlorate concentrations in drinking water. During investigative monitoring in the Mountain View scheme, multiple exceedances were detected. These were reported to the Regulator and are detailed further in Tables 34 & 37 under the Notifying the Regulator section.

Chlorate

Chlorite

Mountain View

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

≤ 0.8 mg/L

E. coli

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

ICPMS Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPMS Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPMS Lead

≤ 0.01 mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

Total chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Total coliforms

Turbidity

≤ 5 NTU

Apparent colour

Chlorate

Chlorite

Orchid Valley

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

≤ 0.8 mg/L

E. coli

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

ICPMS Aluminium

≤ 0.2 mg/L

ICPMS Copper

≤ 1.0 mg/L

ICPMS Iron

≤ 0.3 mg/L

ICPMS Lead

≤ 0.01 mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

≤ 0.1 mg/L

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

Total chlorine

≤ 5.0 mg/L

Total coliforms

Turbidity

≤ 5 NTU

Queensland Health has established an interim guideline value for chlorate concentrations in drinking water. During investigative monitoring in the Orchid Valley scheme, three exceedances were detected. These were reported to the Regulator and are detailed further in Table 34 under the Notifying the Regulator section.

*Queensland Health interim guideline value

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Microbiological pathogens results The standard for drinking water in Queensland requires no detection of E. coli in 98% of samples collected over a 12-month period, as detailed in the Public Health Regulation 2018 (Qld), s52. E. coli compliance details for each drinking water supply scheme are tabled below, including the month-by-month performance for each scheme as Tables 16-24.

Table 15: E. coli Performance Assessment

Zone

No. samples required a No. of samples collected year as per Public Health in previous 12 months Regulation 2018

% of Samples that meet health guideline values

Copperlode/Behana

396

2252

100%

Bartle Frere

111

100%

Babinda

108

100%

Bellenden Ker

100%

Bramston Beach

100%

Fishery Falls

100%

Mirriwinni

100%

Mountain View

100%

Orchid Valley

100%

Data sourced from CRC Laboratory database.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 16: Copperlode/Behana E. coli Monitoring Results Drinking water scheme:

COPPERLODE/BEHANA

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

176

211

166

205

182

158

217

180

177

171

232

177

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

2302

2314

2290

2318

2304

2267

2272

2278

2257

2250

2272

2252

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Table 17: Bartle Frere E. coli Monitoring Results Drinking water scheme:

BARTLE FRERE

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

109

110

109

110

112

111

110

111

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Table 18: Babinda E. coli Monitoring Results Drinking water scheme:

BABINDA

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

107

105

106

105

107

108

107

108

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Table 19: Bellenden Ker E. coli Monitoring Results Drinking water scheme:

BELLENDEN KER

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Table 20: Bramston Beach E. coli Monitoring Results Drinking water scheme:

BRAMSTON BEACH

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Table 21: Fishery Falls E. coli Monitoring Results

Drinking water scheme:

FISHERY FALLS

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 22: Mirriwinni E. coli Monitoring Results Drinking water scheme:

MIRRIWINNI

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Table 23: Mountain View E. coli Monitoring Results Drinking water scheme:

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Table 24: Orchid Valley E. coli Monitoring Results Drinking water scheme:

ORCHID VALLEY

Year

2022-23

Month

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

No. of samples collected

No. of samples collected in which E. coli is detected (i.e. a failure)

No. of samples collected in previous 12 month period

No. of failures for previous 12 month period

% of samples that comply

100.0%

Compliance with 98% annual value

YES

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Health-related Chemical Assessment

Aesthetic Assessment

Council’s risk management approach identifies substances

The VMP underpins Council’s ability to confirm the

that may be present which may pose a risk to public

supply of safe drinking water to our customers. We take

health or influence optimal water quality characteristics.

advantage of the program to assess non-health related

Council’s VMP checks for and analyses these substances,

parameters that contribute to the way the water tastes,

which are routinely trended and assessed against ADWG

smells and appears. These aesthetic guideline values

health-related and aesthetic limits.

are treated as quality triggers to identify improvement opportunities.

Overall assessment results graphs Trend results for this year’s performance are shown in the following diagrams. A full summary of results for the VMP are shown in the tables for each scheme in the section ‘Verification Monitoring Program Results Summary Statistics’. An incident investigation is undertaken whenever testing identifies that drinking water quality does not meet an ADWG health guideline value or when a critical control limit is breached. Investigation findings and improvements are discussed in the ‘Notifying the Regulator’ section of this report.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Figure 2: Turbidity -Treated Water Reticulation

Turbidity Treated Water Reticulation 6

NTU

0 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Result

ADWG Aesthetic Maximum

Turbidity is a measure of the light scattering property of water caused by the presence of fine suspended matter. Maintaining low turbidity is crucial because elevated levels of particles can shield microorganisms from disinfection. Ideally, drinking water should exhibit turbidity measuring below 1 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units). The ADWG has established an aesthetic guideline, suggesting a turbidity level of 5 NTU. No specific health-related threshold has been defined. In the 2022/2023 reporting period, there was a single test that exceeded the aesthetic guideline limit. This marks a reduction from the previous reporting period, which saw three exceedances. Further details about this occurrence can be found in Table 14 under the Copperlode/Behana scheme. Throughout the current reporting period, the average turbidity measured across all schemes was 0.49 NTU.

Figure 3: pH - Treated Water Reticulation

pH Treated Water Reticulation 10 9.5 9 8.5

8 7.5 7 6.5 6 5.5 5

Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Result

ADWG Aesthetic Minimum

ADWG Aesthetic Maximum

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Figure 4: pH - Treated Water Reservoirs

pH Treated Water Reservoirs 10 9.5 9 8.5

8 7.5 7 6.5 6 5.5 5

Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Results

ADWG Aesthetic Minimum

ADWG Aesthetic Maximum

The ADWG defines an aesthetic pH value range of 6.5 – 8.5. However, there are instances where values fall outside this range, as indicated in Figures 3 and 4. There is no health guideline value for pH, although the ADWG identifies that values less than 4 and greater than 11 may have adverse health impacts. While most test results fall within the recommended range, some results exceeding the 8.5 aesthetic limit are likely due to interactions between the water and cement-lined pipes within the distribution network. Water with a pH higher than recommended range has the potential to hinder the effectiveness of chlorine disinfection, whilst a pH less than 6.5 may corrode plumbing fittings and pipes. To ensure that elevated pH levels do not compromise the efficiency of chlorine, Council closely monitors disinfection performance by testing microbial indicators.

Figure 5: Chlorine (Free & Total) - Treated Water Reticulation 6

Chlorine (Free & Total) Treated Water Reticulation

mg/L

0 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Result

ADWG Health Maximum

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Figure 6: Chlorine (Free & Total) - Treated Water Reservoirs

Chlorine (Free & Total) Treated Water Reservoirs 6

mg/L

Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Result

ADWG Health Maximum

Chlorine is added to the water supply as part of the treatment process both at water treatment plants and at select rechlorination reservoirs. Chlorine is a common drinking water disinfectant used for pathogen control and it is important to maintain a chlorine residual throughout the distribution network. Based on health considerations, the ADWG specifies a guideline value of 5 mg/L for total chlorine. The water supplied in all schemes remained below the guideline value during the 2022/2023 reporting period. Figure 7: Temperature - Treated Water Reticulation & Reservoirs

Temperature Treated Water Reticulation & Reservoirs 35

Degrees Celsius

10 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Reticulation Results

Reservoir Results

Temperature is primarily an aesthetic consideration for drinking water and as such, there is no guideline limit. Water temperatures naturally rise during the summer months with the reticulation system typically experiencing higher temperatures compared to reservoir storages. Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Figure 8: Aluminium - Treated Water Reticulation

Aluminium Treated Water Reticulation 0.35 0.3

mg/L

0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0

Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Result

ADWG Aesthetic Maximum

The ADWG has set a limit for aluminium in drinking water based on aesthetic considerations, stating that it should not exceed 0.2 mg/L. All results remained below the guideline value during the reporting period.

Figure 9: Copper - Treated Water Reticulation

Copper Treated Water Reticulation 2.5

mg/L

1.5

0.5

Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Result

ADWG Aesthetic Maximum

ADWG Health Maximum

The ADWG has established a health limit of 2 mg/L and an aesthetic limit of 1 mg/L for copper in drinking water. Excessive copper levels can pose health risks, particularly the risk of impacting the gastrointestinal system. Additionally, high copper concentrations can affect the aesthetic qualities of water, leading to undesirable taste and discoloration. All drinking water supplied by CRC during the reporting period remained well below the guideline values.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Figure 10: Iron - Treated Water Reticulation

Iron Treated Water Reticulation 3

2.5

mg/L

1.5

0.5

0 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Results

ADWG Aesthetic Maximum

Iron in drinking water supplies can be responsible for an unpleasant taste and discoloration. The ADWG has established an aesthetic guideline value of 0.3 mg/L. There was one instance of this value being exceeded during the 2022/2023 reporting year, which was associated with maintenance work on the network. Additional information about this event can be found in Table 14 under the Copperlode/Behana scheme.

Figure 11: Lead - Treated Water Reticulation

Lead Treated Water Reticulation 0.018 0.016 0.014

mg/L

0.012 0.01 0.008 0.006 0.004 0.002 0

Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Results

ADWG Health Maximum

The health implications of drinking water containing lead have resulted in the ADWG applying a limit of 0.01mg/L. There was one exceedance of the health guideline limit during the reporting period. This occurrence is detailed in Table 14, Copperlode/Behana.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Figure 12: Manganese Treated Water Reticulation graph

Manganese Treated Water Reticulation 0.6

0.5

mg/L

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23

Results

ADWG Aesthetic Maximum

ADWG Health Maximum

Based on aesthetic considerations, the ADWG states that the concentration of manganese in drinking water should not exceed 0.1mg/L. At concentrations higher than this, manganese can impact the taste of water and cause staining to plumbing fixtures. During the reporting period, there was a single exceedance of the aesthetic guideline limit. This occurrence is detailed further in Table 14 under the Copperlode/Behana scheme. A health guideline value of 0.5mg/L has also been established by the ADWG, which was not exceeded.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Verification monitoring program results summary statistics Note: 'Not detected' (ND) and 'less than' results have been replaced with zero in order to calculate this statistical summary. Table 25: Babinda Treated Water Summary Statistics

BABINDA Number Noncompliant

Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Apparent Colour

107

1.197

4.7

Chlorate

0.447

0.385

0.509

0.447

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

mg/L

E. coli

108

0.000

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

108

0.700

<0.1

2.1

0.735

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

107

4.393

<10

140

ICPMS Aluminium

0.031

0.019

0.057

0.029

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper

0.008

0.004

0.013

0.007

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.027

<0.015

0.06

0.0255

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead

0.001

0.0005

0.0011

0.00065

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.001

0.0003

0.0023

0.00055

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

107

7.690

7.3

8.7

7.6

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

108

26.051

Total chlorine

108

0.773

<0.1

2.2

0.805

Total coliforms

108

0.000

Turbidity

107

0.266

0.1

1.3

0.2

Result Name

ADWG Value

Units Pt/Co units

CFU/mL

°C ≤ 5 mg/L

mg/L CFU/100mL

≤ 5 NTU

NTU

*Queensland Health interim guideline value Table 26: Bartle Frere Treated Water Summary Statistics

BARTLE FRERE ADWG Value

Number Noncompliant

0.5105

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

mg/L

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

CFU/100mL

<0.1

1.4

0.53

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L

3.761

<10

100

0.026

0.015

0.05

0.023

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper

0.030

0.005

0.092

0.0255

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.016

<0.015

0.029

0.015

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead

0.000

<0.0005

0.0009

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.000

0.0002

0.0007

0.0004

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

109

7.336

6.4

8.8

7.4

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

111

25.882

Total chlorine

111

0.616

<0.1

1.5

0.72

Total coliforms

111

0.000

Turbidity

109

0.218

0.1

0.5

0.2

Number of Tests

Average

Apparent colour

109

0.976

2.4

Chlorate

0.511

0.467

0.554

E. coli

111

0.000

Free chlorine

111

0.545

Heterotrophic plate count

109

ICPMS Aluminium

Result Name

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Units Pt/Co units

CFU/mL

°C ≤ 5 mg/L

mg/L CFU/100mL

≤ 5 NTU

NTU

*Queensland Health interim guideline value Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Table 27: Bellenden Ker Treated Water Summary Statistics

BELLENDEN KER Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Apparent colour

0.671

1.5

Chlorate

0.556

0.333

1.02

0.532

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

Result Name

ADWG Value

Number Noncompliant

Units Pt/Co units

mg/L

E. coli

0.000

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

1.003

0.39

1.5

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

1.296

<10

ICPMS Aluminium

0.053

0.039

0.082

0.05

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper

0.007

0.005

0.01

0.007

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.011

<0.015

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead

0.000

<0.0005

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.000

0.0003

0.0005

0.00035

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

8.879

7.9

9.3

8.9

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

26.133

Total chlorine

1.072

0.46

1.6

1.1

Total coliforms

0.000

Turbidity

0.193

0.1

0.5

0.2

CFU/mL

°C ≤ 5 mg/L

mg/L CFU/100mL

≤ 5 NTU

NTU

*Queensland Health interim guideline value Table 28: Bramston Beach Treated Water Summary Statistics

BRAMSTON BEACH Number Noncompliant

Units

Pt/Co units

Result Name

Number of Tests

Average

Amoeba - thermophilic Amoeba

Apparent colour

0.724

2.9

Chlorate

0.554

0.41

0.698

0.554

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

mg/L

E. coli

0.000

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

0.666

<0.1

0.95

0.71

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

2.778

<10

ICPMS Aluminium

0.018

<0.015

0.03

0.0165

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper

0.013

0.01

0.018

0.0115

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.023

0.015

0.042

0.024

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead

0.000

<0.0005

0.0007

<0.0005

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.000

0.0002

0.0005

0.0003

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

7.493

7.3

7.6

7.5

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

27.498

Total chlorine

0.742

<0.1

0.77

Total coliforms

0.000

Turbidity

0.215

0.1

3.2

0.1

Minimum

Maximum

Median

ADWG Value

Pt/Co units

CFU/mL

°C ≤ 5 mg/L

mg/L CFU/100mL

≤ 5 NTU

NTU

*Queensland Health interim guideline value

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 29: Copperlode/Behana Treated Water Summary Statistics

COPPERLODE/BEHANA Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

ADWG Value

Number Noncompliant

Units

Aluminium*

0.016

0.012

0.021

0.014

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

Ammonia

0.00

<0.02

≤ 0.39 mg/L N

mg/L N

Result Name

Amoeba - thermophilic amoeba

Apparent colour

1527

0.748

ND 11

Pt/Co units

Bromodichloromethane

142

6.986

µg/L

Bromoform

142

0.880

µg/L

Chlorate

0.196

0.109

0.228

0.224

≤0.8mg/L**

mg/L

Chloride

9.527

7.8

9.6

≤ 250.0 mg/L

mg/L

Chlorite

138

0.000

<0.005

<0.010

<0.005

≤ 0.8 mg/L

mg/L

Chloroform

142

29.042

103

19.5

µg/L

Copper*

0.006

0.0008

0.018

0.00445

Dibromochloromethane

142

0.000

E. coli

2229

0.000

Electrical conductance

60.020

Free chlorine

2202

0.850

<0.1

2.9

0.84

Heterotrophic plate count

2202

2.066

<10

380

<10

ICPMS Aluminium*

596

0.025

<0.015

0.092

0.02

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper*

599

0.008

0.001

0.4

0.004

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron*

596

0.019

<0.015

2.53

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead*

550

0.001

<0.0005

0.0162

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese*

596

0.003

0.0002

0.121

0.0012

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Zinc

0.002

<0.008

≤ 3.0 mg/L

mg/L

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L µg/L

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

≤ 5.0 mg/L

CFU/100mL

µS/cm

mg/L CFU/mL

ICPOES Silicon

9.048

8.7

≤ 80 mg/ L SiO2

mg/ L SiO2

Iron*

0.017

<0.002

0.093

0.007

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

Lead*

0.000

<0.0001

0.0008

0.00025

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

Manganese*

0.003

0.0008

0.0118

0.00225

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

Nitrate

0.090

0.07

0.11

0.09

≤ 11.3 mg/L N

mg/L N

Nitrite

0.003

<0.01

≤ 0.91 mg/L N

mg/L N

2177

7.575

6.5

9.1

7.5

6.5 - 8.5

Sodium

8.418

7.2

9.1

8.7

≤ 180.0 mg/L

mg/L

Sulphate

4.524

3.8

5.1

4.6

≤ 250.0 mg/L

mg/L

2201

26.016

Total oxidised nitrogen

0.092

0.08

0.11

0.09

mg/L N

Total alkalinity

755

9.204

4.4

mg CaCO3 / L

Total chlorine

2202

0.948

0.1

3.2

0.93

Total coliforms

2229

0.011

>100

Total dissolved solids

41.750

42.5

≤ 600 mg/L

mg/L

Total trihalomethanes

142

35.613

113

27.5

≤ 250.0 µg/L

µg/L

True colour

0.705

≤ 15 Pt/Co units

Pt/Co units

Turbidity

1527

0.126

<0.1

5.7

0.1

≤ 5 NTU

NTU

Temperature

°C

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L CFU/100mL

*Duplicated parameters can occur due to variations in how labs test and report data. In this report, they may be considered as equivalent. *Queensland Health interim guideline value

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Table 30: Fishery Falls Treated Water Summary Statistics

FISHERY FALLS Number Noncompliant

Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Apparent colour

1.263

3.3

1.1

Chlorate

0.460

0.233

1.07

0.391

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

mg/L

Result Name

ADWG Value

Units Pt/Co units

E. coli

0.000

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

0.759

0.38

1.2

0.755

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

0.909

<10

ICPMS Aluminium

0.030

0.021

0.05

0.029

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper

0.006

0.005

0.009

0.006

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.023

<0.015

0.032

0.025

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead

0.000

<0.0005

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.000

0.0002

0.0006

0.0004

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

7.717

7.4

7.7

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

25.323

Total chlorine

0.846

0.44

1.4

0.865

≤ 5 mg/L

Total coliforms

0.000

Turbidity

0.238

0.1

0.5

0.2

CFU/mL

°C mg/L CFU/100mL ≤ 5 NTU

NTU

*Queensland Health interim guideline value Table 31: Mirriwinni Treated Water Summary Statistics

MIRRIWINNI Number Noncompliant

Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Apparent colour

0.694

2.2

Chlorate

0.342

0.313

0.37

0.3415

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

mg/L

Result Name

ADWG Value

Units Pt/Co units

E. coli

0.000

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

0.987

0.44

1.5

0.965

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

1.636

<10

CFU/mL

ICPMS Aluminium

0.022

<0.015

0.034

0.022

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper

0.010

0.007

0.013

0.009

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.006

<0.015

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead

0.000

<0.0005

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.000

0.0002

0.0005

0.0003

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

7.392

6.5

7.6

7.4

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

24.175

24.5

Total chlorine

1.057

0.48

1.6

Total coliforms

0.000

Turbidity

0.172

0.1

0.4

0.2

0 ≤ 5 mg/L

≤ 5 NTU

°C

mg/L

CFU/100mL

NTU

*Queensland Health interim guideline value

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 32: Mountain View Treated Water Summary Statistics

MOUNTAIN VIEW Number Noncompliant

Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Apparent colour

2.195

1.7

Chlorate

0.843

0.395

1.3

0.877

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

mg/L

E. coli

0.000

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

0.893

0.66

1.1

0.9

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

0.536

<10

ICPMS Aluminium

0.022

0.015

0.035

0.0205

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper

0.033

0.027

0.046

0.032

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.052

0.034

0.07

0.0495

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead

0.001

<0.0005

0.0011

0.0006

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.001

0.0006

0.0044

0.00095

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

7.576

7.7

7.6

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

26.400

Total chlorine

0.989

0.76

1.2

0.99

≤ 5 mg/L

Total coliforms

0.000

Turbidity

0.643

0.1

2.9

0.4

Result Name

ADWG Value

Units Pt/Co units

CFU/mL

°C mg/L CFU/100mL ≤ 5 NTU

NTU

*Queensland Health interim guideline value Table 33: Orchid Valley Treated Water Summary Statistics

ORCHID VALLEY Number Noncompliant

Number of Tests

Average

Minimum

Maximum

Median

Apparent colour

2.059

7.6

1.8

Chlorate

0.696

0.241

1.08

0.705

≤ 0.8 mg/L*

mg/L

E. coli

0.000

< 1.0 CFU/100mL

CFU/100mL

Free chlorine

1.054

0.51

1.5

1.1

≤ 5.0 mg/L

mg/L

Heterotrophic plate count

0.357

<10

ICPMS Aluminium

0.012

<0.015

0.022

<0.015

≤ 0.2 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Copper

0.248

0.121

0.365

0.255

≤ 1.0 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Iron

0.024

<0.015

0.037

0.022

≤ 0.3 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Lead

0.001

0.0007

0.0022

0.0011

≤ 0.01 mg/L

mg/L

ICPMS Manganese

0.011

0.0034

0.0229

0.0109

≤ 0.1 mg/L

mg/L

6.793

6.5

7.6

6.8

6.5 - 8.5

Temperature

26.365

Total chlorine

1.136

0.74

1.6

1.2

Total coliforms

0.000

Turbidity

0.436

0.2

0.4

Result Name

ADWG Value

Units Pt/Co units

CFU/mL

°C ≤ 5 mg/L

mg/L CFU/100mL

≤ 5 NTU

NTU

*Queensland Health interim guideline value

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Notifying the regulator Under sections 102 and 102A of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008, Council is required to immediately inform the Regulator if the quality of water supplied from the drinking water service does not comply with the water quality health criteria as specified in the ADWG, or if Council becomes aware of an incident as prescribed under the Regulation. Council made four notifications to DRDMW during the reporting period, summarised in Tables 34-37 below.

Table 34: Detection of chlorate above the Qld Health interim guideline value Scheme

Mountain View & Orchid Valley

Parameter

Chlorate

Incident date

05/10/2022

Event description

In October 2022, Council commenced investigative sampling to gauge an understanding of chlorate levels within the rural drinking water schemes. The first round of sampling returned exceedances of the Queensland Health interim guideline value, 0.8mg/L, in two schemes.

Corrective and preventative actions

The Regulator was notified of the detection of chlorate in the Mountain View and Orchid Valley schemes, with levels measured at 0.845mg/L and 0.898mg/L, respectively. The age of the disinfection product and high temperatures are known contributors to chlorate formation. Notably, these two schemes have the lowest turnover, and the storage at Mountain View in particular, is exposed to high daytime temperatures. To initially mitigate the known contributing factor of product age, the sodium hypochlorite storages at both sites were emptied and cleaned before refilling with a fresh batch of hypochlorite. Chlorate testing following these actions demonstrated a return to levels below the guideline limits. Monitoring of chlorate levels continued fortnightly in efforts to gauge seasonal variation, including the impacts of temperature fluctuations. Concentrations at both sites were observed to increase following the immediate tank clean and refill, with Mountain View peaking at 1.3mg/L chlorate in February 2023. This occurrence was reported to the Regulator and is detailed further below. Chlorate concentrations in Orchid Valley have for the most part stabilised, with a single result, 0.95mg/L, recorded above the guideline value. Management actions resulting from this investigation are ongoing and are discussed further in Table 37.

Table 35: Detection of chlorate above the Qld Health interim guideline value

Scheme

Bellenden Ker & Fishery Falls

Parameter

Chlorate

Incident date

15/11/2022

Event description

In October 2022, Council commenced investigative sampling to gauge an understanding of chlorate levels within the rural drinking water schemes. The November round of sampling returned two additional exceedances of the Queensland Health interim guideline value of 0.8mg/L.

Corrective and preventative actions

The Regulator was notified of the detection of chlorate in the Bellenden Ker and Fishery Falls schemes, with levels measured at 1.02mg/L and 1.07mg/L, respectively. As outlined in Table 34, steps were taken to address this issue by emptying, cleaning, and refilling the storages at both sites with fresh sodium hypochlorite. Follow up sampling showed that chlorate levels returned to acceptable levels. Similar management measures were also implemented in other rural schemes and monitoring within the Bellenden Ker and Fishery Falls schemes has consistently shown chlorate concentrations below the guideline limits.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 36: ADWG health limit exceedance for lead at Redlynch Valley Park

Scheme

Copperlode/Behana

Parameter

Lead

Incident date

12/12/2022

Incident description

On 12 December 2022, a sample from the Redlynch Valley Park reticulation was collected as part of routine verification monitoring. The lead concentration measured was 0.0162mg/L, which exceeds the ADWG health limit of 0.01mg/L. Laboratory results were received on 19 December 2022.

Corrective and preventative actions

The sampling location underwent an inspection, which revealed no signs of tampering or damage, and laboratory personnel verified that the sampling was conducted in accordance with standard procedures. On December 20, it was decided to perform flushing of the water main in the vicinity of the sample point. Subsequent samples were collected before and after to validate the flushing effectiveness. The post-flush sample returned a result of 0.0006mg/L, well below the guideline value, as did additional testing performed the on 21 December (0.0025mg/L). There were no identified issues with treatment, infrastructure or service delivery coinciding with the non-compliance and the ongoing verification monitoring at this site has consistently shown no further water quality concerns.

Table 37: Detection of chlorate above the Qld Health interim guideline value

Scheme

Mountain View

Parameter

Chlorate

Incident date

206/02/2023

Incident description

Ongoing investigative monitoring into chlorate concentrations within the rural supply schemes returned a result of 1.3mg/L, exceeding the Qld Health interim guideline limit.

Corrective and preventative actions

Initial emptying, cleaning, and refilling of the sodium hypochlorite storage at Mountain View promptly and effectively reduced chlorate concentrations to within guideline values. Subsequent monitoring uncovered a gradual increase in levels requiring additional action, whereby Council initiated an assessment of the supplied sodium hypochlorite quality. This process included discussions with the supplier, and additional testing of baseline chlorate concentration within the larger storage tank from which the rural schemes are supplied. Comprehensive emptying, cleaning, and refilling of the larger hypochlorite storage tank was undertaken, and alternative delivery and storage configurations have been explored. Tanks are now managed at lower fill levels, adjusted based on demand, to further mitigate the contributing factor of product age by enhancing turnover at the rural sites. Monitoring is ongoing within the Mountain View and Orchid Valley schemes with results consistently returning concentrations below the guideline value.

Customer satisfaction Cairns Regional Council recognises the benefit of community engagement in building confidence in our water quality. We value customer feedback as it enables us to continuously improve our services. We recognise that customers or members of the community may need to provide feedback if a service or product fails to meet their expectations or our standards. Customers can raise urgent or non-urgent problems about drinking water quality by contacting Council by phone, in person, online at https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/contact-us, or via the My Cairns app. All feedback is captured, recorded and monitored to help identify any trends and possible areas of improvement in the operation, maintenance and management of the networks. We keep customers informed about drinking water quality by maintaining a web page that provides an overview of all drinking water supply systems and results of water quality testing. The web page is available at: https://www.cairns.qld. gov.au/water-waste-roads/water-supply-and-use/sources-and-supply.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

During 2022/2023, Council received a total of 160 complaints about water quality. Of these, 62% were about colour, 32% about quality, 3% about taste, and 3% were about odour. A summary of customer complaints by category are shown in

Figure 13 below. Figure 13: Customer complaints about drinking water quality by type

CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS BY TYPE

COLOUR ODOUR QUALITY TASTE

62%

32% 3%

Continuous improvement Cairns Regional Council aims to do better tomorrow what we did well today. For the DWQMS this means improvements are continually made to all assets and operational practices. Opportunities are identified through audits, incident reviews, research projects, and by benchmarking against industry best practice. Improvement projects approved by the management team are documented in the Risk Management Improvement Program (RMIP). CRC uses the RMIP to identify, monitor and manage risks associated with water quality in relation to the DWQMP and the supply of drinking water. It serves as an important tool to ensure the objectives of the DWQMP are tracked and implemented. Improvement projects are prioritised according to risk and budget cycles. The RMIP informs the capital expenditure and operational works planning process. Where a project is required to manage an unforeseen serious risk, contingency funds are identified. Table 38 summarises the status of items implemented during the 22/23 FY as part of the RMIP.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Table 38: RMIP status of implementation Scheme

Reference

IMPROVE-0012

Core theme/ component

Security of the water supply system – Draper Road Water Treatment Plant (WTP)

Improvement actions

Target Date

Conduct sanitary survey and review of water quality data from Mulgrave River source water monitoring to determine treatment requirements for new Draper Rd WTP

2023

Complete

2026

In progress. Currently engaged in Early Contractor Involvement procurement program. Successful applicant to be awarded in December 2023

2022

In progress. Condition assessment complete, options assessment for master planning report underway. Contractor resource constraints have resulted in revised completion date of February 2024

Progress Cairns Water Security Stage 1 (CWSS1) Project Copperlode/ Behana

IMPROVE-0023

All

Security of the water supply system – Tunnel Hill Electrical & Communications

IMPROVE-0027

Treatment – Tunnel Hill WTP Filter Upgrades

Refurbishment program for the six direct filtration dual media filters at Freshwater WTP

2023

In progress. Filters 1, 3 & 4 complete. Filter 2 works underway, 5 & 6 yet to commence. Project delay due to discovery of defects. Revised completion date 2025

IMPROVE-0018

Staff training & awareness

Inclusion of qldwater Aqua Card training for staff involved in working with water assets

2021/22

Endorsed by directorate. To be included in training schedule for relevant staff

Cyber Security - SCADA network redesign for treatment plants

Project to identify areas where security improvements are required in order to meet current industry standards, therefore preventing operational outages, data loss and regulatory noncompliance

2023

In progress. Designed and budgeted in the CIA capital program. Works to commence once project manager is appointed in early 2024. Revised date for completion 2026

Risk assessment procedure

Review and update the Drinking Water Quality Risk Assessment procedure including linkage between the Risk Register and RMIP

TBA

On hold following introduction of new risk management software in 2023

Security of the water supply system – Rural Water Supply Security Strategy Program

Planning study to review the rural water supply schemes to confirm existing source, treatment and network capability and constraints under normal and extreme climate conditions. Deliverables include development of an Emergency Water Supply Plan and Options Assessment

2024

In progress. Revised date for completion June 2025 due to broadening of project scope

Security of the water supply system – Rural filter upgrade

Upgrade bag filters in the rural schemes to mechanically selfcleaning filters

TBA

Fishery Falls upgrade complete. Remaining schemes on hold pending outcomes of the rural water supply security strategy program

Finalise construction of new mains

2022

In progress. Construction complete, new main will be in service by December 2023

Develop and implement Russell Heads non-potable water communications strategy

2023

In progress. Rollout of strategy to align with commissioning of new mains

IMPROVE-0028

IMPROVE-0022

IMPROVE-0025

Rural schemes

IMPROVE-0024

Russell Heads (non-potable supply)

Condition assessment and masterplan to be undertaken to enhance the performance and reliability of the water treatment plant, ensuring the consistent delivery of safe and reliable water to the community

Status/revised target date

IMPROVE-0004

Water Supply

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

Drinking Water Quality Improvement Projects In addition to those improvement projects detailed in the RMIP, CRC further demonstrates its commitment to providing safe, reliable drinking water through the delivery of capital projects. Works undertaken on water infrastructure and the amount spent for the 2022/2023 financial year included: •

Cairns Water Security Strategy $4,055,643

•

Babinda replace/reline water mains $40,516

•

2022/23 water main refurbishment $2,855,900

•

Palm Cove reservoir refurbishment $38,264

•

Sodium hypo sites condition assessment $2,182,665

•

Marinos reservoir refurbishment $37,882

•

University Reservoir structure $1,914,947

•

FWTP Clearwater reservoir remediation $32,686

•

Smart water meters $1,751,775

•

Smithfield Village water main connection $31,309

•

2022/23 new revenue water meter installations $1,287,509

•

2023/24 new revenue water meter installations $30,265

•

Warren Rd WPS renewal $1,105,624

•

Bulk water meter replacement $29,727

•

Edmonton West WPS renewal $999,875

•

Stratford Depot water main $29,319

•

Emergency Water Supply Plan $876,516

•

Mountain View (Bronco) WPS renewal $28,353

•

Freshwater WTP raw water upgrade $787,773

•

Walker Rd water main replacement $26,274

•

23/24 water mains early works $745,203

•

Tobias Close A & B reservoir refurbishment $24,845

•

Freshwater WTP filter upgrade $743,965

•

Copperlode Dam cone valve house refurbishment $22,866

•

Clifton Beach Estate trunk water main $670,109

•

Lab Mediajet printer replacement $17,678

•

Mount Peter high level water reservoir $519,704

•

Bayview reservoir refurbishment $17,601

•

2022/23 commercial water meters $493,233

•

Strombus Ave water main extension $17,351

•

Trunk water mains Rocky Creek $407,666

•

Goldsborough Mid reservoir refurbishment $15,419

•

University Reservoir leak remediation $388,185

•

Copperlode Falls Dam cone valve actuator $13,023

•

2023/24 water main refurbishment $331,426

•

Copperlode Dam destrat mixer $12,956

•

Rural intake safety works $320,610

•

Copperlode Falls Dam piezometers $12,118

•

Condition assessments 2022/23 $275,065

•

Falcon St (high) reservoir refurbishment $12,101

•

Behana Mulgrave supply scheme $252,641

•

FWTP inlet flowmeter replacement $11,051

•

Crystal Cascades raw water control valve replacement $236,102

•

Water Lab field instruments $10,187

•

Reservoir and Intake Roads $199,385

•

Chatham Terrace WPS renewal $8,959

•

Grafton Street WM road rehabilitation $170,614

•

City View WPS renewal $8,681

•

FWTP service water pump replacement $167,530

•

Dempsy St Res A&B assessment & refurbishment $8,030

•

Brinsmead main replacement $143,594

•

Brinsmead reservoir renewal $7,603

•

Redlynch Intake Rd water main repair $129,088

•

Bellevue WPS renewal $6,656

•

Freshwater Creek WTP CWR $127,084

•

Runnymead reservoir refurbishment $6,072

•

2021/22 water main replacements $117,004

•

Barron View reservoir refurbishment $5,268

•

Lake Morris catchment upgrade $103,560

•

Mayers St reservoir refurbishment $4,740

•

FWTP electrical condition assessment & masterplan $101,021

•

Discovery Drive WPS upgrade $3,890

•

2021/22 commercial water meter replacements $98,535

•

Panguna reservoir refurbishment $3,828

•

Ponticello water PS renewal $98,381

•

Crest Close reservoir refurbishment $3,345

•

SCADA upgrade & improvement program $95,641

•

Northern beaches bulk water main $3,200

•

Trinity Beach booster pump system $74,909

•

Bartle Frere reservoir refurbishment $2,688

•

23/24 water main refurbishments $71,244

•

Henley's Hill No. 5 reservoir refurbishment $2,628

•

Henley’s Hill No.4 reservoir refurbishment $61,578

•

Crest Close reservoir access $2,239

•

2022/23 metered standpipes $48,872

•

Henley's Hill overflow float $2,146

•

Mountain View B reservoir refurbishment $44,730

•

Cairns water supply network planning study $1,410

•

FWTP sodium hypo dosing pump upgrade $43,019

•

Crystals Intake to FWTP comms $897

•

Centenary High reservoir refurbishment $42,411

•

Freshwater Creek WTP upgrade $744

•

Copperlode Dam PLC upgrade $41,952

•

Mount Peter water supply planning study $714

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Review No review was required or conducted during the 2022/2023 financial year. DRDMW approved Council's amended Drinking Water Quality Management Plan through the issuing of an Information Notice on 16 August 2022. Under the approval, Council is required to review the plan by 31 March 2024 and every two years thereafter. Council has commenced the review process, which will extend into the upcoming financial year, and shall result in the preparation of DWQMP amendments where required.

Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Audit Findings Pursuant to subsection 99(2)(c) of the Water Supply (Safety & Reliability) Act 2008, audits of the DWQMP must be undertaken by an external party with relevant qualifications at a frequency stipulated by the Regulator. No regulatory audit was scheduled to occur in 2022/2023. The next audit is scheduled to be conducted by 30 June 2025. The most recent scheduled regulatory audit occurred in March 2021. For more detail about the findings of the audit and subsequent actions taken by Council, please see the 2020/2021 Drinking Water Annual Report on Council’s website.

GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS ADWG

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011). Published by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia

CRC

Cairns Regional Council

DRDMW

Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water

DWQMP

Drinking Water Quality Management Plan

DWQMS

Drinking Water Quality Management System

HACCP

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points - certification for protecting drinking water quality

LOR

Limit of Reporting

NATA

National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia

VMP

Verification Monitoring Program

SWIM

Statewide Water Information Management. SWIM is a database used by Water Service Providers to report data on water and sewerage services to numerous State and Commonwealth agencies.

Cairns Regional Council – Drinking Water Service Annual Report 2022-2023

For more information 1300 69 22 47