Safe Drinking Water - Parks Victoria

Safe Drinking WaterAnnual Report2008 - 2009

Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 1

Contents1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 32. Quality management …………………………………………………………………………………. 53. Water quality …………………………………………………………………………………………... 54. Incident management ……………………………………………………………………………….. 135. Complaints ….…………………………………………………………………………………………146. Audit Findings………………………………………………………………………………………… 147. Undertakings of Section 30 ………………………………………………………………………… 158. Regulated water...……………………………………………………………………………………. 159. Glossary of terms ……………………………………………………………………………………. 172Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009

1. IntroductionParks Victoria is responsible for managing Victoria's National, State, and Regional Parks, Reservoir Parks,some major Metropolitan Parks and Conservation Reserves, Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries.In addition, Parks Victoria manages many cultural assets such as historic properties and gardens, as well asPort Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay, and major waterways. Parks Victoria’s role is to protect the natural andcultural values of the parks and other assets while providing a great range of outdoor opportunities for allVictorians and visitors.Maintaining the health of Victoria’s parks and reserves while providing a range of excellent visitor servicesnot only contributes to the environmental health of the State but also to the physical and social wellbeing ofall Victorians.Parks Victoria is committed to minimising the risk to public health by providing a reliable and safe supply ofpotable water, in accordance with the State Government’s Safe Drinking Water (SDW) Act 2003. The SDWAct requires that an Annual Report, containing information on analysis results, management processes,incident actions and other issues that have arisen, is submitted to the Department of Human Services (DHS)and made publicly available.Characterisation and water source of the systemsFrom July 2008 to June 2009, Parks Victoria managed drinking water supplies at five separate locations asdetailed in Table 1.These five drinking water supplies managed by Parks Victoria were listed as water sampling localities in theVictorian Government Gazette on 22 June 2006, and make up the drinking water supplies which ParksVictoria will report on in this Safe Drinking Water Annual Report.Water supplies that form part of a leased enterprise are now the contractual responsibility of the lessee.Lessees who operate food and/or accommodation services have an obligation under the Health Act or theFood Act, rather than the SDW Act, to provide potable water.Parks Victoria also manages a number of mineral springs in Central Victoria, chiefly in the Hepburn RegionalPark and Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. At several of these springs, facilities andinfrastructure encourage visitors to drink spring water for the health benefits that it is believed to provide.Without affecting the viability of the tourism industry that is associated with these mineral springs, ParksVictoria recognises that appropriate risk management needs to be applied to ensure that drinking the mineralwater from these springs is as safe as possible.Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 3

During the current reporting period several of the mineral springs recorded detections of E. coli (see Section4 for more details). Parks Victoria took appropriate action after each detection. This included signpostingand closing the affected springs, and undertaking re-sampling. Given the lack of treatment barriers, it wasconsidered inappropriate to proceed with declaring the springs as water sampling localities.Parks Victoria also began testing the mineral springs for a broader range of water quality data which DHSwill use to conduct a health risk assessment on the consumption of spring water. This health risk assessmentwill guide any future decisions regarding management of the mineral springs.Parks Victoria continued to report detections of E. coli at the springs to DHS under section 22 of the SafeDrinking Water Act.Table 1:Description of Parks Victoria’s Drinking Water LocalitiesWater Sampling Locality Source water Treatment DescriptionWater is captured on cottage roof and held intwo above-ground poly tanks. Water to theGabo Island LightstationSedimentation andRainwaterguest cottage’s kitchen is passed through aGabo Island Lightstation Reservereverse osmosis (RO)reverse osmosis unit. Water reticulatedthrough the rest of the cottage is not treated.Treated water is delivered to the campgroundsLakeside/Candlebark/Devil CoveGoulburn Valley Standard treatment by by a commercial tanker operator. Water isCampgroundsWater mains 1Goulburn Valley Water transferred from the tanker into three discreteLake Eildon National Parktanks and is gravity fed to each tap-stand.Treated water is delivered to site by aTwelve Apostles CentrePort Campbell National ParkWannon Watermains 1Standard treatment byWannon Watercommercial tanker operator. Water is pumpedfrom underground storage to elevated storagein amenity block then gravity-fed to taps.Tidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkCreek waterConventional watertreatment plant.Added substancesinclude: aluminiumchlorohydrate caustic soda sodium hypochloriteWater is harvested from an unconfined 2000haconservation zone then pumped to treatmentplant where it undergoes processes ofcoagulation, flocculation, and clarification,before filtration and disinfection. Treatedwater is transferred from a single clear waterstorage tank to twin storage tanks beforereticulation by gravity throughout Tidal River.Water is captured on roof and transferred to inWilsons Promontory LightstationSedimentation andRainwaterground storage and then pumped, via a filter &Wilsons Promontory National ParkfiltrationUV disinfection, to cottages on demand.1Water tankered to PV storage by commercial water tanker operator4Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009

2. Quality ManagementIssuesIssues regarding treatment processes have been minimal, as most of the drinking water supplies undergo noor limited water treatment. Issues detected and addressed during the year are detailed in Table 2.Table 2: Summary of issues detected during 2008 - 2009Water sampling locality Issue ActionTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkLakeside/Candlebark/Devil CoveCampgroundsLake Eildon National ParkPresence of AluminiumNo tests during February2009The monitoring equipment in the water treatment plant is beingre-calibrated to ensure a more accurate chemical dosing regime.Aluminium Residual testing method is also being reviewed toensure it aligns with DHS requirements and water testinglaboratories.The park was closed during February due to bushfires. Testingwas undertaken before the park re-opened in early March.3. Water QualityWater quality is assessed according to a number of parameters which collectively determine the suitability ofwater for human consumption. The limits of these parameters are listed in table 3.Table 3:Water quality parameters and standardsParameterEscherichia coliTurbidityAluminiumChloroacetic acidDichloroacetic acidTrichloroacetic acidTrihalomethanesWater quality standardAt least 98% of all samples collected in the 12-month period to contain zero E.coli/100mL95% Upper Confidence Limit (UCL) of the 12-month mean of samples must be ≤ 5NTU.< 0.2 mg/L< 0.15 mg/L< 0.1 mg/L< 0.1 mg/L< 0.25 mg/LSampling frequencies and parametersDuring the 2008 - 2009 reporting period, Parks Victoria continued discussions with DHS with regard tovarying the frequencies of sampling, using the process described in regulation 11(3) of the SDW Regulations2005. The rationale for considering reduced testing frequencies included:• The low level of risk presented to a relatively small number of visitors at many of the supplies;• the expectation of visitors and local communities;Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 5

• the supplies having no known history of public health incidents; and• the transient nature of use of the supplies.Agreed sampling frequencies for the reporting period were undertaken as listed in Table 4. It is expectedthat the sampling regime will be formally resolved in 2009 -2010.Table 4: Agreed sampling regimes for 2008 - 2009Water sampling locality Sampling frequency Parameters for routine monitoringGabo Island LightstationE.coliQuarterlyGabo Island Lightstation ReserveTurbidityLakeside/Candlebark/Devil Cove CampgroundsE.coliMonthlyLake Eildon National ParkTurbidityTwelve Apostles CentreE.coliMonthlyPort Campbell National ParkTurbidityE.coliWeeklyTurbidityAluminiumTidal RiverChloroacetic acidWilsons Promontory National ParkMonthlyDichloroacetic acidTrichloroacetic acidTrihalomethanesWilsons Promontory LightstationE.coliQuarterlyWilsons Promontory National ParkTurbidityResultsE.coli and turbidity testing is required for all drinking water supplies. However, testing for aluminium andchlorine-based disinfection by-product chemicals is only required at water supplies where chemicals areadded as part of the treatment process. To date, chemical treatment only occurs at Tidal River.Escherichia coli (E. coli)Testing for the presence of Microbiological Organisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) was completed at allsites. The results of the tests are listed in Table 5.6Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009

Table 5:Summary of E.coli test resultsWater sampling localityGabo Island LightstationGabo Island Lightstation ReserveLakeside/Candlebark/Devil CoveCampgroundsLake Eildon National ParkTwelve Apostles CentrePort Campbell National ParkTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkWilsons Promontory LightstationWilsons Promontory National ParkNo. of Non% SamplesSampling No. ofMaximumComplyingcomplyingwith noFrequency samples(orgs/100mL)(Yes/No)samplesE.coliQuarterly 12 2 110 67% NoMonthly 33* 0 0 100% YesMonthly 12 0 0 100% YesWeekly 52 0 0 100% YesQuarterly 4 1 1 75% NoAt least 98% of all samples collected in the 12-month period must contain zero E.coli/100mL to comply.* Three samples are collected and tested for E.coli each month from the Lake Eildon Campgrounds, however testing was not conductedduring February due to fire management commitments and the closure of the park. This resulted in 33 samples being collected for theyear.Actions in relation to E. coli non-complianceAction summaries for non-compliant results can be found in the Incident Management section of this report.Graph 1:E. coli results for Gabo Island Lightstation and Wilsons Promontory Lightstation120Wilsons PromontoryLightstationGabo Island Lightstation10080E.coli (orgs/100ml)6040200Jul-08Aug-08Sep-08Oct-08Nov-08Dec-08Jan-09Feb-09Mar-09Apr-09May-09Jun-09MonthParks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 7

TurbidityTesting for turbidity is required for all water supplies. The turbidity results of samples taken in 2008 - 2009are listed in Table 6.Table 6: Summary of turbidity test resultsWater sampling localityGabo Island LightstationGabo Island Lightstation ReserveLakeside/Candlebark//Devil CoveCampgroundsLake Eildon National ParkTwelve Apostles CentrePort Campbell National ParkTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkWilsons Promontory LightstationWilsons Promontory National ParkNo. of Non95%Sampling No. ofMaximum MinimumcomplyingUCL ofFrequency samples(NTU) (NTU)samplesmeanComplying(Yes/No)Quarterly 12 0 4.4 0.1 1.5 YesMonthly 33* 0 0.8 0.1 0.3 YesMonthly 12 0 0.5 0.1 0.3 YesWeekly 52 0 1.6 0.2 0.5 YesQuarterly 4 0** 7.1 0.5 5.6 No**The 95% UCL result for mean turbidity must be ≤ 5NTU for the locality to comply.* Three samples are collected and tested for turbidity each month from the Lake Eildon Campgrounds, however testing was notconducted during February due to fire management commitments and the closure of the park. This resulted in 33 samples beingcollected for the year.**The non-compliance at the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is largely caused by statistical issues arising from the reduced samplingfrequency.Graph 2:Turbidity results for Wilsons Promontory Lightstation876Turbidity (NTU)543210Sep-08 Dec-08 Mar-09 Jun-09Month of SampleWilsons Promontory Lightstation8Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009

AluminiumAluminium may be present in water through natural leaching from soil and rock, or from the use of aluminiumsalts as coagulants in water treatment. Aluminium is used only at Tidal River as a water treatment coagulant.Therefore, testing for aluminium occurs at this location only. The results of the tests for aluminium at TidalRiver are provided in Table 7.Actions in relation to Aluminium non-complianceThe non-compliant results from the Tidal River drinking water supply were a result of residual aluminiumlevels from the chemical treatment regime. The monitoring equipment in the water treatment plant is nowbeing re-calibrated every six months to ensure a more accurate chemical dosing regime in an attempt toeliminate future non-compliant occurrences. The method used to test for aluminium residual is also beingreviewed as it has been identified that there may be issues between align the requirements of DHS with thepractices of the laboratories used to test water samples. Parks Victoria will endeavour to resolve this issueduring the next reporting period.Table 7:Summary of Aluminium test resultsWater sampling localityTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkNo. of NonSampling No. ofMaximum Minimum ComplyingcomplyingFrequency samples(mg/L) (mg/L) (Yes/No)samplesMonthly 12 2 0.45 0.03 NoIf the maximum result for acid soluble aluminium is 0.2 mg/L or greater, then the locality is non-complying.Graph 3:Aluminium readings from Tidal River0.450.40.350.3Aluminium (mg/L)0.250.20.150.10.050Jul-08 Aug-08 Sep-08 Oct-08 Nov-08 Dec-08 Jan-09 Feb-09 Mar-09 Apr-09 May-09 Jun-09MonthParks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 9

Chlorine based disinfection by-product chemicalsThe use of chlorine as a disinfectant for treatment of drinking water is used only at Tidal River. Testing forchlorination by-product chemicals therefore occurs only at this location. By-products of chlorine includechloroacetic acid, dicloroacetic acid, tricloroacetic acid and trihalomethanes. A summary of the results forchlorine by-products is provided in Tables 8 to 11.Chloroacetic acidTable 8. Results of testing for chloroacetic acid at Tidal River.Water sampling localityTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkNo. of NonSampling No. ofMaximum MinimumcomplyingFrequency samples(mg/L) (mg/L)samplesIf the maximum result is 0.15 mg/L or greater, then the locality is non-complying.Complying(Yes/No)Monthly 12 0 0.05 0.01 YesDichloroacetic acidTable 9. Results of testing for dichloracetic acid at Tidal River.Water sampling localityTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkNo. of NonSampling No. ofMaximum MinimumcomplyingFrequency samples(mg/L) (mg/L)samplesIf the maximum result is 0.1 mg/L or greater, then the locality is non-complying.Complying(Yes/No)Monthly 12 0 0.020 0.005 YesTrichloroacetic acidTable 10. Results of testing for trichloroacetic acid at Tidal River.Water sampling localityTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkNo. of NonSampling No. ofMaximum MinimumcomplyingFrequency samples(mg/L) (mg/L)samplesIf the maximum result is 0.1 mg/L or greater, then the locality is non-complying.Complying(Yes/No)Monthly 12 0 0.020 0.005 YesTrihalomethanesTable 11. Results of testing for trihalomethanes at Tidal River.Water sampling localityTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkNo. of NonSampling No. ofMaximum MinimumcomplyingFrequency samples(mg/L) (mg/L)samplesIf the maximum result is 0.25 mg/L or greater, then the locality is non-complying.Complying(Yes/No)Monthly 12 0 0.100 0.020 Yes10Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009

Analysis of resultsGraphs 4, 5 and 6 compare water quality results from the last three financial years and demonstrate agenerally consistent level of compliance for the 2008 - 2009 period, as compared to the previous periods.Graph 4:E.coli comparison of past 2 years at all sampling sites1009080Annual compliance rate (%)70605040302006/20072007/20082008/200920100Gabo Island Lightstation Lake Eildon NP Twelve Apostles VisitorCentreTidal River, WilsonsPromontory NPWilsons PromontoryLightstationAn explanation of the lack of compliance at the Gabo Island Lightstation and at the Wilsons PromontoryLightstation can be found in Table 12 of the Incident Management section of this report.Graph 5:Turbidity comparison of past 2 years at all sampling sites1009080Annual compliance rate (%)70605040302006/20072007/20082008/200920100Gabo Island Lightstation Lake Eildon NP Twelve Apostles VisitorCentreTidal River, WilsonsPromontory NPWilsons PromontoryLightstationParks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 11

Graph 6 compares Tidal River’s water quality in the 2008 - 2009 period compared to the previous twofinancial years. Compliance with the standard for chlorination by-product chemicals was maintained at 100%and compliance with the aluminium standard remained at 75%. Explanation of the lack of compliance foraluminium can be found in Table 2 of the Quality Management section of this report.Graph 6:Water quality comparison at Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory National Park1009080Annual compliance rate (%)7060504030202006/20072007/20082008/2009100Aluminium Chloroacetic acid Dichloroacetic acid Trichloroacetic acid TrihalomethanesParameter12Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009

4. Incident ManagementIncidents requiring Section 22 reportsThe incidents requiring a section 22 report are described in Table 12.Table 12:Summary of Section 22 incidentsWater sampling localityIncidentDate ofincidentActionsThe tanks were treated with sodium hypochlorite. “DoGabo Island LightstationGabo Island Lightstation ReserveE.coli recorded inwater sample8/12/2008Not Drink:” signs were installed and visitors providedwith bottled water. A re-sample was taken and E.colilevels returned to zero.Gabo Island LightstationGabo Island Lightstation ReserveE.coli recorded inwater sample9/6/2009The tanks were closed and treated with sodiumhypochlorite. A re-sample was taken and E.coli levelsreturned to zero.Wilsons Promontory LightstationWilsons Promontory National ParkE.coli recorded inwater sample2/12/2008The tanks were treated with sodium hypochlorite. Are-sample was taken and E.coli levels returned tozero.Section 22 reports were also submitted when several mineral springs recorded detections of E. coli asdescribed in Table 13. The water from each spring comes from a natural source and rainfall events mayrecharge the springs leading to cross contamination between shallow run off and mineral water as it movesto the surface through the shallow fractured rock. Parks Victoria took appropriate action after each detection;signposting and closing the affected springs and undertaking re-sampling. The springs were re-openedwhen E. coli levels returned to zero.Table 13:Summary of Section 22 incidents at Mineral SpringsWater sampling locality Incident Date of incidentMineral Spring – Tipperary Pipe Pit E.coli recorded in water sample 1/07/2008Mineral Spring - Sailors Falls Pipe E.coli recorded in water sample 29/07/2008Mineral Spring - Tipperary Pipe Pit E.coli recorded in water sample 29/07/2008Mineral Spring - Sailors Falls Pump E.coli recorded in water sample 9/09/2008Mineral Spring - Argyle E.coli recorded in water sample 18/11/2008Mineral Spring - Sailors Falls Pump E.coli recorded in water sample 1/12/2008Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 13

Other incidentsOther incidents noted during the year that did not require a Section 22 report are listed in Table 14.Table 14: Other incidents (non Section 22)Water sampling localityIncidentDate ofincidentActionsTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkNon-compliant testfor Aluminium1/12/2008 Benchtop analytical equipment failed to functioncorrectly. Equipment recalibrated by supplier.Benchtop analytical equipment failed to functionTidal RiverWilsons Promontory National ParkNon-compliant testfor Aluminium4/5/2009correctly. Equipment recalibrated and investigationsare being undertaken to replace equipment.Discussions are also occurring between DHS andcontract testing laboratory to align water testingpractices.Wilsons Promontory LightstationWilsons Promontory National ParkNon-compliant testfor Turbidity8/6/2009 The drinking water tank has been disconnected frombuilding roof suspected of causing the high readings.5. ComplaintsNo complaints have been received regarding any of the water sampling localities listed by Parks Victoria.6. Audit FindingsA regulatory audit of Parks Victoria’s Drinking Water Risk Management Plan against the requirements of theSafe Drinking Water Act 2003 and Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2005 was conducted in July 2008.The audit covered the Parks Victoria head office functions and three drinking water supply systems based onan NCSI sampling process. The water treatment systems audited included those at the Twelve Apostles,Tidal River and Wilsons Promontory Lightstation.The audit found that the Parks Victoria Drinking Water Risk Management Plan did not fully satisfy therequirements detailed in the Safe Drinking Water Act and associated Regulations.In response to the audit, Parks Victoria submitted an undertaking to the Department of Human Services.The actions detailed in the undertaking have been completed as follows:-14Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009

The Twelve Apostles Risk Management Plan has been reviewed and updated to ensure that itcontains adequate procedures and forms for inspections and maintenance of the potable water supplysystem, in particular UV lamps, storage tanks and water cartage procedures.Staff at Port Campbell have been trained to ensure that they understand the procedures and keepproper records.All Risk Management Plans have been reviewed and updated to ensure that they contain adequateprocedures and forms to ensure maintenance is carried out and documented.Parks Victoria has developed a purchasing procedure for chemicals and equipment to ensure that theyare suitable for potable water delivery systems.Parks Victoria received written assurances from water cartage contractors for the Twelve Apostles andLake Eildon NP that they understand and adhere to the water cartage guidelines.A Safe Drinking Water training framework has been developed that identifies the key areas of theprogram and Risk Management Plans. Staff at drinking water sites have been trained to ensure thatthey understand the Safe Drinking Water program, the Risk Management Plan procedures and keepproper records.A Safe Drinking Water Procedure has been developed to manage Parks Victoria’s SDW Program.This procedure identifies all activities that need to be completed to ensure compliance and theaccountability for completion. The procedure also identifies the commitment to hold annual onsitemeetings with staff responsible for delivery of the SDW program at the five drinking water localities.7. Undertakings of Section 30An agreed undertaking was lodged with DHS as required under section 30 in response to the findings of theRisk Management Plan audit as detailed in Section 6 and has now been completed.8. Regulated WaterSection 6 of the SDW Act allows the Minister for Health to declare water that is not intended for drinking, butwhich could be confused for drinking water, as regulated water. Parks Victoria’s estate has several hundredwater supplies that are not intended for drinking. Parks Victoria has decided that these supplies shouldremain accessible to park visitors. However, it is necessary that all are signed as “not for drinking” to ensurevisitors cannot mistake the water at these sites for drinking water. Consequently, signs that feature theuniversal “do not drink” symbol and text descriptive of the water source have been installed at all supplies.These signs describe the water supply as untreated rainwater, untreated bore water, untreated creek water,or untreated water. These descriptions are intended to assist visitors in selecting the most appropriatemethod of treatment should they choose to use the water.Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 15

At this stage, it has not been considered necessary by DHS to declare the water supplied at these sites asregulated water as the signage should remove any confusion as to whether the water is intended fordrinking.Parks Victoria produces information sheets (Parknotes) to provide park users with information relevant to thesite or park they are visiting. As existing Parknotes are updated and reprinted, any wording or symbols thatsuggest drinking water is available at sites other than the gazetted drinking water sampling localities andthose visitor sites with reticulated drinking water will be removed. This also applies to drinking watermessaging that appears on the Parks Victoria website and other promotional publications. Printedinformation has been distributed to notify Parks Victoria’s stakeholder groups of these developments.In partnership with DHS, a specific Parknote was issued to provide advice on the risks of untreated water.This Parknote advises on treatment methods and necessary precautions and is available on the websites ofDHS and Parks Victoria and from Parks Victoria’s visitor centres.16Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009

9. Glossary of Terms95% UCLThe value that when calculated for a random data set equals or exceeds the true mean 95% of the time.NTUNephelometric turbidity units - a unit of measurement for turbidity.Regulated waterWater that is not intended for drinking but which could reasonably be mistaken as being drinking water.Risk Management PlanA document that contains a detailed description of the system of supply, identification and assessment of therisks to the quality of the water, and the steps to be taken to manage those risks.Section 30 undertakingThe agreement between a water supplier and DHS that details of how the water supplier, when incontravention of the SDW Act or its associated regulations, will address the contravention and stop it fromrecurring.Section 22 reportThe type of notification required by DHS, as set out in Section 22 of the SDW Act, of a water supplier whendrinking water supplied to the public may pose a risk to human health or cause widespread public complaint.ZoneA specific area in a national park or reserve defined by a primary purpose and value.Parks Victoria Safe Drinking Water Annual Report 2008-2009 17