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Byron Shire CouncilDRINKING WATER

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

July 2014 HydroScience

B827_Byron Drinking Water Quality Management System_Rev3.Doc

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Byron Shire Council

Drinking Water Management System

2nd Edition

Prepared for Byron Shire Council by:

HydroScience Consulting

A.B.N. 79 120 716 887

Email: [email protected]

Sydney Office

Level 1, 189 Kent Street

Sydney, NSW, 2000

Telephone: 02 9249 5100

Facsimile: 02 9251 4011

Byron Bay Office

6/64 Centennial Circuit

Byron Bay, NSW, 2481

Telephone: 02 6639 5600

Facsimile: 02 6680 9319

mailto:[email protected]


B827_Byron Drinking Water Quality Management System_Rev3.doc Page 2

Document Control

Approved for Issue

Issue Author Reviewer Name Signature Date

2 JHU MTR Jessica Huxley

July 2014



Byron Shire Council prepared its first Drinking Water Management System in 2011 in accordance with

best practice and the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011). The Drinking Water Management

System is a living document, and accordingly, Byron Shire Council has commissioned an external

review and audit of the original Plan in 2013. This review and audit aims to reaffirm Byron Shire

Council’s commitment to providing safe, high quality drinking water by keeping the document

current with changes within the drinking water systems managed by Council.

This document outlines the range of activities carried out by Council to ensure the provision of safe

drinking water to its customers. A number of actions to improve the drinking water supply systems

were identified through the risk assessment in 2011. These actions were recorded within the

Improvement Plan. Through the review and audit process, the Improvement Plan has been updated to

reflect Council’s continual improvement.

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 sets out the “Framework for Management of Drinking

Water Quality” provide a structured risk-based approach to drinking water management. The twelve

(12) elements within the framework emphasises the need for a multi-barrier approach to management

for drinking water supplies.

Byron Shire Council’s activities relating to each of the 12 elements of the Australian Drinking Water

Guidelines 2011 including references to Sections of the Drinking Water Management System and

related Council documents are summarised in Table 1 below.

Table 1 Framework Elements for the Management of Drinking Water Quality

Framework Element

Activity Refer to

Element 1: Commitment to drinking water quality management

Drinking Water

Policy

Reticulated Town Water Quality Policy (12/017) adopted on 12/12/12.

BSC will ensure that the policy is visible, communicated, understood and

implemented by employees.

Section 1.2

Appendix 1

Regulatory and

formal

requirements

BSC has a ‘Water Supply Agreement’ (reviewed 2013) with Rous Water

for the purchase of bulk water for the Byron Supply.

All relevant regulatory and formal requirements are identified and

documented.

Section 1.3

Engaging

stakeholders

BSC consulted with Rous Water, NSW Health and WTP operators before

proceeding with the DWMS.

BSC maintain ongoing communication with all stakeholders.

Section 1.4

Element 2: Assessment of the drinking water supply system

Water supply

system analysis

This DWMS documents key characteristics of the water supply systems.

BSC has two drinking water supply systems:

1. Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply System - BSC operates

Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant and reticulation system;

Section 2.2

Executive Summary



Framework Element

Activity Refer to

2. Byron Drinking Water Supply System - BSC purchases bulk water

from Rous Water. Rous supplies water to seven reservoirs in the Byron

Shire. BSC operates the reservoirs and reticulation systems.

Flow diagrams have been prepared for each supply system.

Assessment of

water quality data

Water Quality data July 2011 – November 2013 has been assessed as part

of this DWMS.

Results demonstrate that operational targets are achieving the desired

results as recommended by the ADWG and NSW Health.

Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply System - Water Quality has been

assessed in catchment, Laverty’s Gap weir, inlet to plant, filters, finished

water, reservoirs and at points of supply.

Byron Drinking Water Supply System - Water quality has been

assessed from Rous Water delivery point (inlet to reservoirs), outlet to

reservoir and at various points of supply. It is noted that the assessment

of catchment and operational water quality is Rous responsibility.

Section 2.3

Hazard

identification and

risk assessment

A risk assessment for the drinking water supply system has been

completed.

Section 3.1

Appendix 2

Element 3: Preventive measures for drinking water quality management

Preventive

measures and

multiple barriers

Preventive measures and Key Barriers have been identified and

documented. BSC has a multi barrier approach for the protection of the

Byron Shire Drinking Water supplies.

Section 3.2

Critical control

points

The CCPs of the water supply systems have been identified with

appropriate monitoring, targets, controls and corrective action.

Section 3.3

Element 4: Operational procedures and process control

Operational

procedures

Key operating procedures for Critical Control Points have been

documented with critical limits and corrective actions.

BSC has identified and documented operational procedures in the

Operating Manual and Safe Work Method Statements.

Section 3.3

Section 5.1

Operational

monitoring

BSC has a ‘Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Plan’ documenting

monitoring points, parameters, trigger levels, frequency, actions and

responsibilities.

Section 4.1

Appendix 3

Corrective action BSC have documented corrective actions for each CCP and for key

operational process.

Section 3.3

Section 6

Section 7

Equipment

capability and

maintenance

Council maintains a Water and Sewer Planned Maintenance Manual

(#692271). BSC regularly inspect and undertake maintenance of all

equipment. Water and Sewer planned maintenance tasks are listed and

managed using the schedules in the spread sheets in Documents #448000,

#468000 and #464600. The Customer Request Management (CRM)

database is used to manage the task workflows.

Section 5.2



Framework Element

Activity Refer to

Materials and

Chemicals

Standardised procurement processes are documented in DWMS.

Materials and chemicals conform to the NSW Code of Practice Plumbing

and Drainage, Aus Spec for Water Supply and WH&S Regulation for

Dangerous Goods. Details of chemicals used are documented within the

DWMS.

Section 5.3

Element 5: Verification of drinking water quality

Drinking water

quality monitoring

BSC monitor water quality weekly at the reservoir and at various points

of supply to verify overall system performance.

Council’s Building Compliance Unit is responsible for the collection of

samples for the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program.

Section 4.2

Appendix 4

Consumer

Satisfaction

BSC have a complaints and response program - ‘Customer Request

Management Database’

Section 7.2

Short-term

evaluation of results

Monitoring results reviewed on receipt of data

Exceedances of criteria reported and managed as required by NSW

Health protocols and Rous Water Agreement

Section 4.2

Corrective action BSC follow the response protocols outlined by NSW Health.

BSC follows procedures as outlined in the NSW Health Microbial Response

Protocol and the NSW Health Physical and Chemical Response Protocol

Section 4.2

Element 6: Management of incidents and emergencies

Communication BSC has Incident Management Protocols for water and recycling services

outlining all internal and external communication protocols including

responsible persons and contact details.

Section 6.1

Incident and

emergency response

protocols

BSC Incident Management Protocol outlines response protocols.

BSC follows procedures as outlined in the NSW Health Microbial Response

Protocol and the NSW Health Physical and Chemical Response Protocol

Section 6.2

Element 7: Employee awareness and training

Employee

awareness and

involvement

BSC has a systematic communication regime with staff. Section 7.1

Employee training Council has a training program embed in their system for operators and

other relevant Water and Waste water staff.

Section 7.1

Element 8: Community Involvement and awareness

Community

consultation

Council has a systematic approach to community involvement and

awareness.

Section 7.2

Communication Council has four mechanisms to promote community involvement and

awareness.

Section 7.2

Element 9: Research and development

Investigative

studies and

research monitoring

BSC undertakes investigative studies and research monitoring on a

project basis as required.

Section 7.3



Framework Element

Activity Refer to

Validation of

processes

This DWMS details processes to ensure safe and acceptable drinking

water is supplied to the customer; and processes for validation of new

and upgrades processes.

Section 7.4

Design of

equipment

This DWMS details the engineering expertise and processes used to

validate the selection and design of new equipment required for

upgrades and process improvements

Section 7.4

Element 10: Documentation and Reporting

Management of

documentation and

records

The DWMS documents information pertinent to all aspects of drinking

water quality management for the Byron and Mullumbimby drinking

water supply systems.

Council maintains all documents in the TRIM document management

system. All documents are maintained in accordance with the state

government guidelines.

Section 7.5

Reporting Management Reports prepared monthly for internal review. Results

reported annually to authorities and quarterly to Council.

Council undertakes reporting as required by NSW Health and NSW

Office of Water.

Section 7.5

Element 11: Evaluation and audit

Long-term

evaluation of results

Annual report documenting compliance with approval conditions,

including tests results, audited by NSW Health and NOW

Section 7.6

Audit of drinking

water quality

management

BSC undertake an annual review of the DWMS.

This DWMS Review is the first audit/review of the DWMS.

Section 7.6

Element 12: Review and continual improvement

Review by senior

executive

Monthly performance reports are reviewed by BSC Water and Recycling

Senior Management. CCP exceedances for critical limits are reported to

senior management.

Section 7.6

Drinking water

quality

management

improvement plan

This DWMS documents an Improvement Plan for the BSC drinking water

supply systems. The Improvement Plan has been reviewed as part of the

annual review process. Progress has been documented with further

actions included as part of the 2013 Review.

Section 8

Critical Control Points

The Critical Control Points (CCPs) for the Byron Shire Council drinking water supply systems were

identified as part of the development of the DWMS. The CCPs are essentially the heart of the

Framework, with good management of the CCPs crucial to the DWMS.

Mullumbimby CCPs in Table 2 and Byron CCPs are summarised in Table 3. Standard operating

procedures and corrective actions have been documented for each CCP to guide daily activities and

ensure correct operational responses if the alert or critical limits are reached.



Table 2 Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply System Critical Control Points

Parameter Frequency Target Limit Alert Limit Critical Limits

CCP 1 Turbidity at Raw Water Intake

Turbidity (NTU) Continuous < 10 > 25 > 60

CCP 2 Filtration

Turbidity (NTU) Continuous < 0.2 > 0.5 1

CCP 3 Disinfection at Clearwater Tank

Free chlorine (mg/L) Daily 1 - 2 < 0.8 OR > 2 < 0.5 OR > 5

CCP 4 Reservoirs

Chlorine residual

(mg/L)

Weekly 0.8 < 0.5 < 0.2 OR > 5.0

Reservoir integrity Weekly No evidence of

breach or vermin

Visual

identification of

breach or vermin

access to

reservoirs

Visual

identification of

contaminant in

reservoirs

Table 3 Byron Drinking Water Supply System Critical Control Points

Parameter Frequency Target Limit Alert Limit Critical Limits

CCP 1 Reservoirs

Chlorine residual

(mg/L)

Weekly 0.8 < 0.5 < 0.2 OR > 5

Reservoir integrity Weekly No evidence of

breach or vermin

Visual

identification of

breach or vermin

access to

reservoirs

Visual

identification of

contaminant in

reservoirs



Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 3

Contents .................................................................................................................................. 8

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 11

1.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 11

1.2 Commitment to Drinking Water Quality Management ......................................................................... 11

1.3 Regulatory and Formal Requirements ................................................................................................ 12

1.4 Engaging Stakeholders ....................................................................................................................... 14

1.5 Scope of the Drinking Water Quality Management Plan ..................................................................... 15

2 Drinking Water Supply Systems .................................................................................. 16

2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 16

2.2 Water Supply System Analysis ........................................................................................................... 17

2.3 Water Quality Assessment .................................................................................................................. 33

3 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment ............................................................... 46

3.1 Risk Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 46

3.2 Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers ........................................................................................ 48

3.3 Critical Control Points ......................................................................................................................... 51

4 Monitoring ...................................................................................................................... 55

4.1 Operational Monitoring ........................................................................................................................ 55

4.2 Verification of Drinking Water Quality ................................................................................................. 59

5 Operational Procedures and Process Control ........................................................... 62

5.1 Operational Procedures ................................................................................................................... 62

5.2 Preventive Maintenance and Calibration ............................................................................................ 62

5.3 Materials and Chemicals ..................................................................................................................... 65

6 Management of Incidents and Emergencies .............................................................. 67

6.1 Communication ................................................................................................................................... 67

6.2 Incident and emergency response protocols ...................................................................................... 68

7 Supporting Programs ................................................................................................... 69

7.1 Training and awareness ...................................................................................................................... 69

7.2 Community Involvement and Awareness ............................................................................................ 69

7.3 Investigative Studies and Research Monitoring .................................................................................. 70

7.4 Process and Equipment Validation ..................................................................................................... 70

7.5 Documentation and Reporting ............................................................................................................ 71

7.6 Review and Audit ................................................................................................................................ 72

Contents



8 Drinking Water Quality Improvement Plan ................................................................. 74

Appendices ........................................................................................................................... 76

Appendix 1: ...............................................................................................................................

Appendix 2: ...............................................................................................................................

Appendix 3: ...............................................................................................................................

Appendix 4: ...............................................................................................................................



Table 1 Framework Elements for the Management of Drinking Water Quality 3

Table 2 Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply System Critical Control Points 7

Table 3 Byron Drinking Water Supply System Critical Control Points 7

Table 4 Regulatory and Formal Requirements 12

Table 5 Stakeholders in Drinking Water Management 14

Table 6 Overview of Byron Shire Council Drinking Water Systems 16

Table 7 Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply Reservoirs 18

Table 8 Lengths of Water Mains in Mullumbimby Supply System 18

Table 9 Pumping Stations in Mullumbimby Supply System 18

Table 10 Byron Supply System Drinking Water Supply Points and Reservoirs 23

Table 11 Lengths of Water Mains in Byron Supply System 24

Table 12 Pumping Stations in Byron Supply System 24

Table 13 Water Quality Risks in the Wilsons River Catchment 34

Table 14 Mullumbimby Chlorine Contact Time 38

Table 15 NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program Data: Mullumbimby 39

Table 16 NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program Data: Byron 43

Table 17 BSC Drinking Water Quality Risk Assessment Summary 46

Table 18 Required Monitoring 49

Table 19 Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply System Critical Control Points 52

Table 20 Byron Drinking Water Supply System Critical Control Points 54

Table 21 Operational Monitoring Regime for Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant 56

Table 22 Key Operational Processes and Corrective Actions 57

Table 23 Verification Monitoring Regime for BSC Water Supply 60

Table 24 List of Chemicals Used in Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply System 66

Table 25 BSC Internal Emergency Communication Details 67

Table 26 Rous Water Emergency Communication Details for Byron Supply 67

Table 27 Byron Shire Council Water Quality Improvement Action Plan 74

Figure 1 Mullumbimby Process Diagram 17

Figure 2 Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply Process Flow Diagram: Catchment to Consumer 19

Figure 3 Mullumbimby WTP and Laverty’s Gap Weir 20

Figure 4 Mullumbimby Town Water Supply Distribution 21

Figure 5 Byron Bay Drinking Water Supply Flow Diagram 25

Figure 6 Byron Bay Drinking Water Reticulation 26

Figure 7 Bangalow Drinking Water Supply Flow Diagram 27

Figure 8 Bangalow Drinking Water Reticulation 28

Figure 9 Brunswick Heads Drinking Water Supply Flow Diagram 29

Figure 10 Brunswick Drinking Water Reticulation 30

Figure 11 Ocean Shores Drinking Water Supply Flow Diagram 31

Figure 12 Ocean Shores Drinking Water Reticulation 32

Figure 13 Example of Customer Request Management Database 63



1.1 Overview Byron Shire Council has developed a risk based Drinking Water Management System (DWMS)

consistent with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 (ADWG). This DWMS fulfils Council’s

obligations under Division 1 Section 25 of the NSW Public Health Act 2010 and Part 5 Section 34 of the

Public Health Regulation 2012. The Public Health Act 2010 sets out the requirement for drinking water

suppliers to develop and adhere to a quality assurance program, also known as a Drinking Water

Management System.

The ADWG provides the framework for the good management of drinking water supplies that, when

implemented, assures safety at point of use. The framework was developed to guide a structured and

systematic approach for the management of drinking water quality from catchment to consumer. It

incorporates a preventive risk approach or quality assurance program developed specifically for the

water industry, and includes elements of HACCP, AS/NZS ISO 9000 and AS/NZS ISO31000:2009.

This document aims to support Council to provide, and the Byron Shire community to access, a safe

quality drinking water supply. Access to safe water is a basic need and is one of the most important

contributors to public health.

The overall approach is to provide drinking water system operators and managers with a user

friendly document that supports Council in its management of a safe drinking water supply. It

provides an overview of the system and a summary of all relevant documentation and supporting

requirements.

This DWMS and its supporting documentation are living documents. They should be reviewed and

updated in line with Council’s monitoring and reporting procedures and when new processes or

changes are introduced.

1.2 Commitment to Drinking Water Quality Management Byron Shire Council (BSC) is committed to managing its water supply

catchments, treatment plant and supply assets to provide safe, high

quality drinking water, which consistently meets or exceeds the ADWG,

consumer satisfaction and other regulatory requirements.

The ADWG (2011) sets the framework for the best management of

drinking water supplies to assure the safety of customers at the point of supply.

The development and implementation of the DWMS formalises and demonstrates Council

commitment to drinking water quality management throughout the organisation by:

Formally adopting drinking water quality as a Council priority

Defining Council’s role and responsibility in regards to providing high quality drinking water

Identifying and assessing risks associated with the drinking water system and introducing

controls, preventive measures, appropriate training, procedures and emergency response

plans to protect drinking water quality and public health

Adopting a measurable Improvement Plan that will increase the integrity of the DWMS

1 Introduction



Reinforces the ongoing and active involvement of all staff and supports senior management to

ensure actions and policies support the management of drinking water quality

BSC’s commitment to water quality management includes understanding the public health and

environmental risks at the source, and managing them effectively. The following policies are reflective

of the BSC commitment to drinking water quality (policies available in Appendix 1):

1. The BSC Reticulated / Town Drinking Water Quality Policy (#12/017) was adopted by Council

on 12/12/2012

2. The BSC Lavertys Gap Weir Catchment Management Policy (#07/105) was adopted by

Council on 27/3/08

1.3 Regulatory and Formal Requirements The regulatory and formal requirements relating to drinking water quality in the Byron Shire have

been identified (refer to BSC DWQMP, 2011). A summary is provided in Table 4 below. Of particular

reference is the Water Supply Agreement with the regional bulk water supplier - Rous Water. The

supply agreement defines the roles and responsibilities for the management of water supply within

the area of operations for both parties.

Table 4 Regulatory and Formal Requirements

Regulatory or Formal Requirement

Relevance to Drinking Water Quality Agency

Commonwealth Legislation

Competition and Consumer Act 2010

Replaces the Trade Practices Act 1974 and incorporates Schedule 2

– The Australian Consumer Law.

As a “seller” of water, the local council is subject to provisions of

Consumer transactions and Consumer guarantees, which

guarantees that the goods supplied are reasonably fit for

purpose.

Australian

Competition and

Consumer

Commission

NSW Legislation

Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003

Natural resource management, from planning to operations, is

to be undertaken at the catchment level. State-wide standards

are to be applied. Catchment Action Plans are used to define key

themes for each catchment, each with specific catchment and

management targets.

North Coast Local

Land Service (LLS)

Natural Resources

Commission

Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979

Requires that the environmental impacts of projects be studied

at all stages on the basis of scale, location and performance.

Under Part 3 of the Act, Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) are

developed to establish what forms of development and land use

are permissible and/or prohibited.

LEPs ensure that drinking water quality is considered when

assessing development applications. The Byron Shire LEP (2012)

applies to all lands within the Byron Shire.

NSW Department

of Planning and

Infrastructure

Local Government Act 1993

Local councils have the responsibility for the provision of water

supply to consumers, in accordance to the NSW Best-Practice

Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Guidelines.

NSW Government

Division of Local

Government





NSW Groundwater Quality Protection Policy 1998

Manages groundwater resources for sustainable economic, social

and environmental uses, with a specific principle to protect town

water supplies against contamination. A key recommendation is

to develop wellhead protection plans.

NSW Office of

Water

Protection of the Environment (Operations) Act 1997

Requires licences for activities with potentially significant

environmental impacts.

Prosecution may be carried out under this act for any chemical

leakage, spill, and disposal of wastes or similar.

NSW EPA

Public Health Act 2010 Requires all water authorities to develop Drinking Water

Management Systems.

Bestows certain powers on NSW Health with respect to

provision of safe drinking water, including ability to enter

treatment facilities, order mandatory testing or obtain

information about the drinking water and powers to close a

water supply.

Council is required to issue public advice regarding the water

supply when directed by the Chief Health Officer of NSW

Health.

NSW Health

Water Act 1912 Licences to extract water outside of areas covered by water-

sharing plans. Affecting alterations to the quantity or quality of

water in certain circumstances is an offence.

Byron Shire Council has a licence to draw water from the

Lavertys Gap Weir.

Water Act 1912 is being progressively phased out and replaced

by Water Management Act 2000.

NSW Office of

Water

Water Management Act 2000

Provides the basis for water planning, the allocation of water

resources and water access entitlements. Licences for extraction

for the three systems are governed by the provisions of this Act.

NSW Office of

Water

Work, Health & Safety Act 2011

Specifies conditions for storage and handling of chemicals on-

site at water treatment plants.

Work Cover

Authority of NSW

Guidelines and Programs

Water Supply Agreement between Rous Water and Byron Shire Council

Rous Water supplies bulk water to Byron Shire Council. This

agreement defines the roles and responsibilities for the

management of water supply within the area of operations for

both parties. The agreement also formalises the levels of service

and working relationship between Rous Water and Byron Shire

Council.

Rous Water

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011

Ensures the accountability of drinking water managers and

operators and health authorities and auditors for the supply of

safe, good quality drinking water to consumers.

NSW Health





NSW Best-Practice Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Guidelines 2007

Provides for appropriate, affordable and cost-effective services

to meet community needs while protecting public health and the

environment and making best use of regional resources.

Requires a Strategic Business Plan (SBP), including a Financial

Plan and associated asset management plans, reviewed and

updated every four years; a 30-year Integrated Water Cycle

Management (IWCM) plan. Council has an IWCM and SBP for

their water business.

NSW Office of

Water

NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program 2005

NSW Health provides analysis of drinking water samples for

water utilities, providing an independent analysis of water at

point of supply.

NSW Health

NSW Health Response Protocol for Management of Microbial Quality of Drinking Water 2011

Guides Public Health Units and water utilities in their joint

response to rapidly changing source water quality, treatment

failure or microbial contamination.

NSW Health

NSW Health Response Protocol for Management of Physical and Chemical Quality 2004

Guides Public Health Units and water utilities in their joint

response following the detection of physical and chemical water

characteristics that exceed the Guidelines.

Aesthetic and health related guideline values are considered.

NSW Health

National Partnership Agreement on Water for the Future

The COAG Strategy on Water and Wastewater Services in

Remote Communities in New South Wales aims to provide

water infrastructure and build the capacity of the Council to

improve the management and overall security of water in

remote communities.

Australian

Government

NSW Office of

Water

Plumbing Code of Australia

Specifications for plumbing in drinking water systems, to be

complied with by administrators, plumbing Licensees,

developers and property owners/occupiers.

Office of Fair

Trading

1.4 Engaging Stakeholders The stakeholders involved in the management of drinking water in Byron Shire are listed in Table 5.

Table 5 Stakeholders in Drinking Water Management

Stakeholder Role Participation

NSW Health Provides expert advice and

support to Council in

achieving their regulatory

requirements

Provides water analysis through the NSW Health

Drinking Water Monitoring Program.

NSW Health response protocol to microbial and

physical and chemical exceedances.

NSW Office of Water Technical support on

investigations, design,

construction, operation,

maintenance and

management

Inspector visits and assesses WTPs compliance every

three months.

Technical support on investigations, design,

construction, operation, maintenance and management.

Annual Reporting on Water Supply performance.



Stakeholder Role Participation

North Coast Local Land Service

Catchment Management

Coordinates action plans and

funding in the drinking

water catchment

It is recommended that Council liaises with LLSs

regarding the management of water quality in the

drinking water catchment.

Rous Water Water Supply Authority Supplies Byron Shire Council with bulk water. The

water supplied by Rous is distributed via Council

managed reservoirs to the Byron drinking water supply

system.

Rous water and constituent Councils operate under a

Water Supply Agreement (Jan 2014)

1.5 Scope of the Drinking Water Quality Management Plan This DWMS assesses the water systems operated by BSC with reference to the ADWG. The plan

provides recommendations for improvements in the operation and management of the catchment,

treatment processes, reservoirs, and distribution systems.

The BSC drinking water supply systems included in this DWMS are:

1. Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply - Catchment to Consumer

The Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is operated by the BSC providing drinking water

that is treated, filtered, and disinfected to residents in the Mullumbimby Township. The drinking

water supply is sourced from the Wilsons Creek via the Laverty’s Gap Weir.

The scope of the DWMS is to identify water quality issues and procedures from ‘catchment to

consumer tap’ that have the potential to compromise the provision of safe potable water to the BSC

community.

2. Byron Drinking Water Supply - Reservoirs to Consumer

BSC purchases bulk water from the regional water supply authority Rous Water. Rous Water supplies

drinking water to seven reservoirs in the Byron Shire Council from the Nightcap WTP. The Nightcap

WTP is operated by Rous Water and provides treated, filtered and disinfected water for distribution to

Byron Shire residents. The drinking water supply is sourced from the Rocky Creek Dam. Under the

Water Supply Agreement BSC is responsible for maintaining water quality in the reservoirs and

reticulation system.

The scope of the DWMS is to identify water quality issues and procedures from the ‘supply reservoir

to consumer tap’ that have the potential to compromise the provision of safe potable water to the BSC

community.

A DWMS for the bulk water supplied by Rous Water covering catchment, source water, treatment

systems and distribution to reservoirs is the subject of a separate DWMS prepared by Rous Water.



2.1 Introduction The drinking water supply systems are defined as everything from the catchment to the consumer.

This includes:

Catchments

Source water

Treatment systems

Reservoirs

Distribution Systems

This characterisation of the systems increases our understanding

of the water supply systems and assists with the identification of

hazards and assessment of risks to water quality.

BSC operates two individual water supplies for the Byron Shire:

1. Mullumbimby Water Supply: BSC manage and operate the Mullumbimby WTP, reservoirs

and Mullumbimby reticulation system

2. Byron Water Supply: BSC purchase bulk water from Rous Water. BSC manage and operate

eight supply reservoirs and the Byron reticulation system

Table 6 provides an overview of the two drinking water supply systems managed by BSC.

Table 6 Overview of Byron Shire Council Drinking Water Systems

Mullumbimby Water Supply Byron Water Supply

Drinking Water Supplier Byron Shire Council Rous Water Bulk Supply

Water Treatment Plant Mullumbimby WTP Nightcap WTP

Catchment Richmond River Richmond River

Source Water Wilsons Creek Rocky Creek Dam

System Assessment Catchment

Surface water

Treatment process

2 x Reservoirs

Reticulation Systems

8 x Reservoirs

Reticulation Systems

Points of Supply Mullumbimby Bangalow, Byron Bay, Suffolk

Park, Brunswick Heads, Ocean

Shores, New Brighton, Billinudgel

Approx. Population Serviced 3,000 17,000

2 Drinking Water Supply Systems

The drinking water system

must have, and

continuously maintain,

robust multiple barriers

appropriate to the level of

potential contamination

facing the raw water supply



2.2 Water Supply System Analysis

2.2.1 Mullumbimby

The Mullumbimby raw water supply is extracted from Wilsons Creek at

Laverty’s Gap Weir. Water flows by gravity through a heritage listed ‘race’,

via a mountain tunnel, to the Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant.

The Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant is a pressure sand filtration plant,

providing drinking water that undergoes full treatment. Treatment consists

of coagulation and flocculation using aluminium sulphate. The water is then passed through the filters

and chlorine is added as it leaves the clear well, providing a two barrier protection. The Mullumbimby

water supply is not fluoridated.

The following elements make up the treatment process at the Mullumbimby WTP (HydroScience

2009). A process diagram of the Mullumbimby WTP is shown in Figure 1.

1. Combined Flow

Screening, metering (magnetic)

Soda ash dosing for pH correction

Alum dosing for coagulation

Flash mixing by static mixer

2. Flow split into 2 streams

Flocculation (retention in tanks without flocculating paddles)

Pressure sand filtration

3. Flows combined

Soda ash dosing for pH correction

Chlorine dosing for disinfection

4. Waste Handling

Settling of backwash and site water

Supernatant returned to race

Solids removed by truck

Figure 1 Mullumbimby Process Diagram

The greatest risks to

consumer of drinking

water are pathogenic

organisms



The Mullumbimby facility may be operated conventionally or by direct filtration. The facility is fully

automated being controlled by a PLC with the overall water supply system managed by a radio

controlled SCADA system.

Treated water is distributed to two reservoirs in the Mullumbimby Township via gravity. All BSC

reservoirs are concrete and roofed. Table 7 below provides an overview of the Mullumbimby

reservoirs. The Mullumbimby Water Supply serves a population of approximately 3,129.

The distribution systems are typical of country towns. Information on BSC Water Mains and pumping

stations is tabulated in Table 8 and Table 9 respectively.

Refer to Mullumbimby process flow diagram in Figure 2. The Mullumbimby distribution system is

shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4.

Table 7 Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply Reservoirs

Points of Supply Reservoir Reservoir Capacity

(ML)

Population

(ABS, 2006)

Mullumbimby

Left Bank Rd 1.5

3,129 Azalea St 4.5

Azalea St offline 0.923

Table 8 Lengths of Water Mains in Mullumbimby Supply System

Locality Lengths of water mains (m)

Mullumbimby 57,960

Table 9 Pumping Stations in Mullumbimby Supply System

Locality Water Booster Pumping Station Street Address

Mullumbimby Gardenia Gardenia Court

Mullumbimby Creek Tristran Tristran Parade



Figure 2 Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply Process Flow Diagram: Catchment to Consumer

CCP 1

CCP 2

CCP 3

CCP 4 CCP 4



Figure 3 Mullumbimby WTP and Laverty’s Gap Weir



Figure 4 Mullumbimby Town Water Supply Distribution



2.2.2 Byron Water Supply System Analysis

The Byron drinking water supply is purchased from Rous Water. Rous

Water is the regional water supply authority providing potable bulk

water to constituent Councils. The raw water supply is extracted from

Rocky Creek Dam and treated at the Nightcap Water Treatment Plant

(WTP). The Nightcap WTP provides drinking water that undergoes full

treatment, including coagulation, flocculation, filtration and disinfection

to the residents of Byron Shire. The water supply to Byron Shire is not

fluoridated.

Rous Water is responsible for the management of the catchment,

treatment systems and supply to the inlet of the Byron Reservoirs. Byron

Shire Council is responsible for the reticulation of this water from the

reservoirs to the consumers.

Rous distributes the supply water from a Rous Water Reservoir at St

Helena, where it flows into seven regional reservoirs owned and operated by BSC. ‘Points of Supply’

for the Byron supply system and associated reservoirs are listed in Table 10. The Byron water supply

serves a population of approximately 17,373.

The Water Supply Agreement January 2014 (#769411) between Byron Shire Council and Rous Water

defines the roles and responsibilities for the management of water supply. In relation to water quality,

the following applies:

The responsibility of BSC begins at the downstream end of the Rous Water meter on the inlet

pipe of the Reservoir

Rous Water will:

Supply water to BSC of a quality that meets the Rous Water Drinking Water Management

System and Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011

Supply water which will maintain reasonable disinfection residuals

Make available any water quality test upon request

Produce a monthly water quality report for Council (commence June 2014)

Manage the drinking water supply system in accordance with NSW Health approved DWMS

Byron Shire Council will:

Manage its infrastructure to best preserve disinfection residual downstream of the supply

points

Manage the drinking water supply system in accordance with NSW Health approved DWMS

It is noted that the provision of residual disinfection is a joint responsibility of Rous Water and Byron

Shire Council.

All Byron Shire Council reservoirs are concrete and roofed. Table 10 below provides an overview of

Byron water supply reservoirs.

The distribution systems are typical of country towns. Information on BSC Water Mains and pumping

stations is tabulated in Table 11 and Table 12 respectively.



The Byron distribution system flow diagram and drinking water reticulation have been broken down

into the main population centres of Byron Bay (Figure 5 and Figure 6), Bangalow (Figure 7 and Figure

8), Brunswick (Figure 9 and Figure 10) and Ocean Shores (Figure 11 and Figure 12).

Table 10 Byron Supply System Drinking Water Supply Points and Reservoirs

Points of Supply Reservoir Reservoir Capacity

(ML) Population

1

Bangalow (refer Figure 5 for flow diagram and Figure 6 for reticulation network)

Bangalow Granuaille Rd 0.900 1,327

Byron (refer Figure 7 for flow diagram and Figure 8 for reticulation network)

Bryon Bay Wategos 0.450 4,981

Paterson St 2.670

Suffolk Park Coopers Shoot 2.500 3,291

Broken Head 304

Brunswick Heads (refer Figure 9 for flow diagram and Figure 10 for reticulation network)

Brunswick Heads Saddle Road 2.300 1,614

Saddle Road 1.300 / offline

Ocean Shores (refer Figure 11 for flow diagram and Figure 12 for reticulation network)

Ocean Shores 2 Tongarra Dr 0.135 3,856

South Golden Beach Warrambool Rd 0.900 1,726

New Brighton Yamble Dr 6.000 274

Billinudgel -

Note: 1. ABS 20062. BSC pumps water to this reservoir from Warrambool.



Table 11 Lengths of Water Mains in Byron Supply System

Locality Lengths of water mains (m)

Bangalow 15480

Byron Bay 56560

Suffolk Park 28400

Brunswick Heads 15550

Ocean Shores 31320

North Ocean Shores 13340

South Golden Beach 3810

New Brighton 4480

Billinudgel 2400

TOTAL 171,340

Table 12 Pumping Stations in Byron Supply System

Locality Water Booster Pumping Station

Street Address

North Ocean Shores Flinders Flinders Way

North Ocean Shores Palmer Palmer Ave

Ocean Shores Warrambool (transfer

pump)

Warrambool Road

Ocean Shores Tongarra Tongarra Drive

Ocean Shores Yamble Yamble Drive

Wilsons Creek Lavertys (raw water

pump)

Lavertys Gap Weir

Suffolk Park Corkwood Corkwood Close

Bangalow Granuaille Granuaille Road



Figure 5 Byron Bay Drinking Water Supply Flow Diagram

CCP 1 CCP 1 CCP 1



Figure 6 Byron Bay Drinking Water Reticulation



Figure 7 Bangalow Drinking Water Supply Flow Diagram

CCP 1



Figure 8 Bangalow Drinking Water Reticulation



Figure 9 Brunswick Heads Drinking Water Supply Flow Diagram

CCP 1



Figure 10 Brunswick Drinking Water Reticulation



Figure 11 Ocean Shores Drinking Water Supply Flow Diagram

CCP 1 CCP 1

CCP 1



Figure 12 Ocean Shores Drinking Water Reticulation



2.3 Water Quality Assessment

2.3.1 Purpose

Water quality results for the Mullumbimby and Byron drinking water supply systems were assessed

in the BSC DWMS 2011. The purpose of the analysis was to provide an understanding of the water

quality performance of the system. In this review, water quality results are analysed with the purpose

of assessing the effectiveness of the DWMS in providing safe drinking water and responding to

threats to drinking water quality. The subsequent risk assessment and the Water Quality

Improvement Plan were developed based on the results of the water quality analysis.

As part of this 2013 DWMS review, both operational water quality results and the results from the

NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program were assessed.

2.3.2 Catchment Area

Byron Shire is located on the Far North Coast of New South Wales and

covers a total area of 566 square kilometres.

The Byron Shire lies within two major catchments: the Brunswick and

Richmond Catchments. The majority of the Shire is located in the Brunswick

Catchment area. The Brunswick catchment extends from Broken Head, just

south of Byron Bay, to Yelgun and is bound inland and to the south by the

Richmond catchment and to the north by the Tweed catchment.

The Mullumbimby and Byron drinking water supplies are both extracted

from the Richmond River Catchment. The Mullumbimby water supply is sourced from the upper

regions of Wilsons River sub-catchment which forms part of the upper reaches of the Richmond

Catchment. Drinking water for Byron is supplied by Rous Water and sourced from the Rocky Creek

Dam sub-catchment.

The main population centres are Byron Bay, Bangalow, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads and Ocean

Shores.

2.3.3 Source Water

The first step in identifying monitoring and treatment requirements is an assessment of source water

characteristics including the potential for contamination.

Both Mullumbimby and Byron raw water sources are considered unprotected raw water supplies.

Unprotected supplies are impacted, or have the potential to be impacted, by human sewage and

livestock faecal material.

The most common and widespread health risk associated with drinking water is contamination, either

directly or indirectly, by disease causing micro-organisms from human or animal excreta. Unprotected

surface should be considered as being vulnerable to contamination by enteric viruses, protozoa and

bacteria.

Human sewage is generally the only source of human infective enteric viruses with the exception of

Hepatitis E, which is not endemic in Australia. Human sewage and livestock faeces are the

predominant source of human infective Cryptosporidium and Giardia. All types of faecal material can

be a source of enteric bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella.

Protection of water

sources and

treatment are of

paramount

importance and

must never be

compromised



2.3.4 Mullumbimby Water Supply

Catchment Monitoring

Council undertakes water quality monitoring at eight points

along the upper reaches of Wilson Creek. Water quality

monitoring is done monthly as routine, plus additional post

significant rainfall event monitoring (trigger 30mm / 24hr) four

times per year, endeavouring to sample one wet event once

every three months.

The monthly Wilson Creek monitoring regime sample for the

following parameters:

E. coli; Iron and Manganese; Phosphorous and Nitrogen; True colour; and Turbidity

The monitoring results indicate

E. coli contamination increases with flow through the catchment, likely due to onsite sewage

systems and livestock

Phosphorous levels are elevated, possibly due to farming practices and / or onsite sewerage

systems

Turbidity and Total Nitrogen levels are low and well within the acceptable range

The main water quality risks and hazards associated with the Wilsons River Catchment are listed in

Table 13.

Table 13 Water Quality Risks in the Wilsons River Catchment

Water Quality Risk Hazards

Contaminated runoff from farming Pathogens, Pesticides and Chemicals

Animal Pathogens from livestock in waterways Microbial Pathogens (virus and protozoan’s)

Pesticides and other chemicals from agricultural

activities

Pesticides and Agricultural Chemicals

Soil Erosion Turbidity, Nutrients (Phosphorous)

Human pathogens from septic system overflow Microbial Pathogens (virus and protozoan’s)

Hazardous events such as accidental spills of chemicals Pesticides and Chemicals

Algal Blooms caused by high temperatures, increased

nutrients and low flows

Toxins, Taste and Odour

Contaminated runoff from urban development Hydrocarbons - Fuels, oils,

Nutrients

Extreme weather events Turbidity, Pathogens

Any sudden or extreme

change in water quality, flow

or environmental conditions

(e.g. extreme rainfall or

flooding) should arouse

suspicion that drinking water

might become contaminated



Baseline Data

Baseline data can assist in understanding source water characteristics and system

performance. This can aid the identification of hazards and aspects of the

drinking water supply systems which require improvement. The ADWG

recommends baseline assessment/characterisation of raw water quality for

parameters such as: microbial, radiological, pesticides, chemicals and metals.

A baseline assessment of the source water for the Mullumbimby water supply

was undertaken on 9 August 2011 at Laverty’s Gap Weir. Radiological,

pesticides, chemical, and metal parameters were tested.

All parameters sampled were under the guideline values for physical,

radiological and chemical characteristics as cited in the ADWG (refer to BSC

DWMS 2011 for results). An analysis of pesticides including OC, OP, THMs, and

PAHs was undertaken.

Laverty’s Gap Weir

With reference to the Catchment Management Plan Laverty’s Gap Catchment

(Water Futures, 2007), the water quality was found to have relatively low

turbidity, generally lower than the ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) aquatic

ecosystems trigger value of 20 NTU. This was consistent with good riparian

vegetation condition, sound road crossings and drainage works observed during

the survey.

Faecal contamination at the point of supply from the catchment indicated

elevated faecal inputs. These exceeded the triggers for irrigation for crops eaten

raw, stock watering and swimming. Elevated faecal coliforms are present even

after dry periods suggesting a continuous source; e.g. stock access to stream,

onsite sewage systems or wildlife that may inhabit the river or weir.

Raw Water Intake

Further to the baseline monitoring, BSC monitors raw water quality from the raw

water tap at the inlet to the Mullumbimby WTP. The Mullumbimby raw water

supply is monitored:

Continuously: turbidity

Weekly: pH, colour, alkalinity, faecal coliforms, total coliforms, Iron,

Hardness, manganese, and Total dissolved solids

During the reporting period, the waters of the Wilsons Creek were soft, slightly

acidic (average pH 6.7) and in periods of normal river flow, turbidity is good

(around 5 NTU). During and after heavy rain in the catchment the river can,

within a short period, have turbidity readings in excess of 42 NTU.

At Mullumbimby WTP turbidity is monitored continuously at the raw water

intake. Incoming annual average turbidity in the raw water fluctuated between

0.04 NTU to 42.0 NTU from July 2011 – 2013. The WTP will shut down if

turbidity is greater than 60 NTU.



When turbidity exceeds a specified level, as set daily by the operator, an automatic

notification is issued to the Operations staff. This notification triggers a catchment

assessment and determines adjustment in dosing rates or plant shut down (pers.

comm. Neil Ulrick, September 2011). A fluctuation in turbidity greater than

10 NTU over a few hours would alert operators to consider management options

for potential contamination, including plant shut down.

Filtered Water

In July 2011, Mullumbimby WTP installed new continuous turbidity meters at the

filters, which have achieved an average turbidity of < 0.1 NTU since installation.

During the last reporting year the filters have maintained an average turbidity of

0.07 NTU with a range of 0.02 to 1.19 NTU

Both Filters 1 and 2 have automatic alarms that are triggered if turbidity targets are

exceeded:

Alert limit: 0.5 NTU operators are notified

Critical limit: 1 NTU Plant shut down

From July 2011 – 2013 the critical limit was exceeded on 2 occasions (both on

27 Jan 2013 NTU – 1.19 and 1.14 NTU) while the alert level of 0.5 NTU was

exceeded on 11 occasions.

If filtered water turbidity is > 0.5 NTU the WTP operator may be required to

initiate a filter backwash and/or a jar test inflow and check / adjust chemical

dosing. If the turbidity remains high the treated water is released back into the

environment. Note that if filters require backwashing more than twice a day they

must be checked for blockages.



Following the review of the ADWG (2011) it is recommended that in order to remove waterborne

pathogens in unprotected catchments, where filtration is used as part of the water treatment process,

the turbidity leaving the filters under normal operating conditions should be < 0.2 NTU (NHMRC).

Byron Shire Council achieves optimal filtration.

Finished Water

Council monitors the treated ‘finished’ water (BY01100) after it leaves the clear water tank prior to

entering the reservoirs. Parameters monitored include:

Continuously: pH and chlorine residual

Daily: aluminium, pH, free and total chlorine, turbidity, and flow

Weekly: alkalinity, colour, total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, faecal coliforms, total

coliforms, iron and manganese

Free Chlorine residual in the finished water have automatic alarms that are triggered if targets are

exceeded:

Alert limit: < 0.8 or > 2 mg/L operators are notified

Critical limit: < 0.5 or > 5 mg/L plant shut down

From July 2011 – 2013 the critical limit was exceeded on 6 occasions while the alert level of < 0.8 NTU

was exceeded on 31 occasions.

BSC has a Chlorine target of > 0.5 mg/L with 30 minute contact time, after the clear water tank.

Consistently it appears that chlorine residual is above 1 mg/l leaving the plant (range 0.38 – 1.60 mg/L)

and with an average of 0.86 mg/L at the reticulation system (range 0.14 - 1.41 mg/L). The mean annual

results indicate that the target is being achieved.

Mullumbimby WTP disinfection achieves 42 minutes contact time equating to a CT of 21 mg/min/L. It

is noted that the CT is based on a free chlorine residual of 0.5 mg/L as a worst case scenario. Operators

at the Mullumbimby WTP target a chlorine residual of 1 mg/L which will provide an actual CT of

42 mg/min/L. Table 14 displays the simplified calculations for chlorine contact time at the

Mullumbimby WTP.



Table 14 Mullumbimby Chlorine Contact Time

Contact Time Calculations

Value Unit Notes

Total Tank Capacity 280 kL

Available Tank Capacity 75 %

Available Tank Capacity (V) 210 kL

Estimated Baffling Factor (F) 0.3 - Assumed Baffling is Poor (Typical for

Circular/Rectangular Tanks Without Baffles)

Max Flow Rate Out (Q) 25.00 L/s

Max Flow Rate Out (Q) 90.00 kL/hr

Contact Time (T) = V/Q*F 42 min

CT Calculations

Chlorine Residual (C) 0.5 mg/L Assumed min Chlorine Residual Value at

Reservoir Outlet

CT = C x T 21 mg.min/L

Greater than 15 mg/L.min required to be

consistent with ADWG requirements of 39 mins

contact time at 0.5 mg/L

Reservoirs

The finished water from the Mullumbimby WTP is transferred to two reservoirs (refer to Table 7). The

total capacity of the two reservoirs in Mullumbimby is 6 ML. Mullumbimby WTP also has two tanks

at the WTP with a total capacity of 0.304 ML. The Mullumbimby reservoirs have 3 to 5 days storage.

Water gravitates to the storages and distribution systems. All storages are covered. BSC operators

monitor and record water quality on a weekly basis from the Azalea Street Reservoir. Parameters

sampled include Faecal Coliforms, Total Coliforms, Free Chlorine, HPC 35 and pH.

The Azalea Street reservoir maintained adequate mean chlorine residual

and pH for the reporting period.

No water quality monitoring is undertaken at the Left Bank Reservoir.

The treated water maintains adequate disinfection when distributed

through the town’s 58 km reticulation system.

System operators

must be able to

respond quickly

and effectively to

adverse monitoring

signals



Points of Supply

BSC operators monitor the treated water on a weekly basis at a point of supply on McGoughans Lane.

The sampled water is reticulated from the Azalea Street reservoir. Parameters monitored by WTP

operators are Faecal Coliforms, Total Coliforms, Free Chlorine, HPC 35 and pH.

No reticulated water from the Left Bank reservoir is monitored.

Further to the operational monitoring, BSC Building Compliance Unit sample finished water quality

at the WTP and at the point of supply in McGoughans Lane. These samples are assessed as part of the

NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program. Note, not all points of supply are tested for all

parameters.

Parameters monitored include:

Weekly: Total Coliforms and E. coli; and

Monthly: pH, true colour, TDS, total hardness, turbidity, nitrate, nitrite, Metals (Al, Sb, As, Ba,

B, Cd, Ca, Cl2 , Cr, Cu, F,I, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, Na, SO4, and Zn)

The results indicate the drinking water supplied by BSC to Mullumbimby is consistently of good

quality. Chlorine residual is consistently above 1 mg/l leaving the Mullumbimby WTP. The mean

annual results indicate that the operational target is being achieved. Furthermore chlorine residual is

maintained throughout the distribution system to the end points of supply.

From the operational data for the reporting year:

pH exceedances have occurred in the high range (pH range 7.0 – 9.0). This could be attributed

to the high alkalinity characteristics of the raw water. Furthermore concrete tanks can

significantly increase pH and a value up to 9 may be tolerated. Elevated pH is not an issue

unless there is an indication of deteriorated microbial quality. This does not seem to be the

case for the Mullumbimby drinking water supply

No E. coli or total coliform exceedances have occurred

NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program

Point-of-supply data from the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program was analysed from

1 July 2011 to 31 October 2013. For analysis of water quality results prior to this date, refer to BSC

DWQMP 2011.

Table 15 NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program Data: Mullumbimby

Parameters ADWG Value

Number Samples

Non Compliance

Min Mean 95%ile Max

E. coli (cfu/100 ml) < 1 101 0 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1

Total Coliform

(cfu/100 ml) < 1 132 8 < 1 < 1 < 1 11

Free Chlorine (mg/L) 0.2 - 5 130 Low: 2 0.15 0.9 1.32 1.44

Total Chlorine (mg/L) 5 96 0 0.24 1.04 1.49 1.65

pH (pH units) 6.5 – 8.5 106 High: 9 6.7 7.9 8.8 9.4

True Colour (HU) 15 18 0 1 1 2 2




Number Samples

Non Compliance

Min Mean 95%ile Max

Turbidity (NTU) 5 82 0 0.0 0.3 0.6 2.4

Hardness (CaCO3)

(mg/L) 200 18 0 6 16 27 83

Aluminium (mg/L) 0.2 28 2 0.00 0.05 0.19 0.30

Manganese (mg/L) 0.5 115 0 0.003 0.027 0.068 0.318

E. coli

From a total of 101 samples, no detections have occurred from 1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013.

Total Coliform

From a total of 132 samples, 8 detections occurred from 1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013. The highest total

coliform reading of 11 cfu/100 ml occurred at the McGoughans Lane, Mullumbimby monitoring

location on 5 June 2012.

The presence of these coliforms may represent release from pipe or sediment biofilms, and may be

part of the normal flora of the drinking-water distribution system. They can also indicate an increase

in chlorine demand.

Aluminium

From a total of 28 samples, two exceedances occurred in the reporting period.

Although not a health value, the ADWG strongly recommended to keep Aluminium concentrations as

low as possible, preferably below 0.1 mg/L.

Exceedances in Aluminium may be an issue for dialysis patients. Council maintains a register of

dialysis patients in the Local Government Area to be informed if Aluminium exceeds guidelines.

Currently there are no dialysis patients in the Mullumbimby supply area.



pH

From a total of 106 samples, 9 exceedances occurred from 1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013.

The highest recorded pH was 9.4, recorded at the McGoughans Lane, Mullumbimby monitoring

location on 3 Apr 2012.

This could be attributed to the high alkalinity characteristics of the raw water. Furthermore concrete

tanks can significantly increase pH and a value up to 9.2 may be tolerated.

Although not a health value, the ADWG strongly recommend to keep pH between 6.5 and 8.5 to

minimise corrosion and encrustation of plumbing systems and water reticulation mains.

Free Chlorine

From a total of 103 samples, low concentrations of free chlorine have been detected two times from

1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013. The low residuals occurred on 4 Dec 2012 and 29 Jan 2013, with readings of

0.18 and 0.15 mg/L, respectively at the McGoughans Lane, Mullumbimby monitoring location.

Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in the water supply system, and it is recommended that drinking

water must reach the consumer with at least 0.2 mg/L of free chlorine to ensure appropriate

disinfection.



2.3.5 Byron Water Supply

Reservoirs

Rous Water supplies drinking water into eight reservoirs in the Byron Shire (refer to Table 10). BSC is

responsible for the water quality in the reservoirs and reticulation systems.

Rous Water monitors pH and free chlorine weekly at the inlet to the BSC reservoirs. BSC operators

monitor and record water quality on a weekly basis from the reservoir outlet. BSC also samples faecal

coliforms, total coliforms, free chlorine, HPC 35 and pH from the reservoir outlet. The mean annual

results indicate that the operational targets are being reached with the systems achieving the desired

results (Refer BSC DWMS 2011).

The Byron Reservoirs maintained adequate mean chlorine residual (> 0.8 mg/L) and pH (7 – 8) for the

last reporting period. In general the Bangalow distribution system achieves the highest chlorine

residual with 1.12 mg/L (the closest reservoir to St Helena). The Byron reservoirs are maintaining an

average chlorine residual of 0.94 mg/L with the Brunswick Heads reservoirs maintaining 0.88 mg/L

and Ocean Shore reservoirs achieving 0.81 mg/L. At times the Ocean Shores reservoirs have lower

than optimal chorine residual with a minimum of 0.13 mg/L.

The total capacity of the eight reservoirs servicing Byron and surrounding villages is 15.9 ML. The

Byron and Villages reservoirs have 3 - 5 days storage. The treated water is distributed through 171 km

of mains. Water is reticulated via gravity to Byron consumers.

Points of Supply

As part of BSC monitoring procedures, reticulated water quality is sampled weekly at a point of

supply from each reservoir. Parameters monitored by WTP operators are faecal coliforms, total

coliforms, free chlorine, HPC 35 and pH.

Further to the operational monitoring, BSC Building Compliance Unit monitors water quality at the

point of supply as part of the NSW Health Monitoring Program. Eight sites are monitored in Byron

Bay. These samples are assessed by NSW Health. Note, not all points of supply are tested for all

parameters.



The Bangalow supply site is monitored for a range of parameters including:

Total Coliforms and E. coli; pH, true colour, TDS, total hardness, turbidity, nitrate and nitrite,

Metals (Al, Sb, As, Ba, B, Cd, Ca, Cl2 , Cr, Cu, F,I, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, Na,

SO4, and Zn); Free chlorine, Total chlorine and Fluoride

The remaining seven supply sites test for:

Total coliforms, E. coli; pH; free chlorine and total chlorine

The mean annual results demonstrate that the operational targets are being reached with the systems

achieving the desired results. Chlorine residual is maintained throughout the distribution system to

the end points of supply.

The main issues with the water quality at supply include: (Refer to BSC DWMS 2011 for details)

pH is maintained within an acceptable range of between 7 and 8. The highest pH is found at

the point of supply in the furthest distribution system. Generally pH increases as it moves

through the distribution system. This could be attributed to the concrete pipes

Total coliforms detections have occurred although the mean results are < 1 cfu/100/ml

No E. coli detections have occurred during the last reporting period

NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program

Point-of-supply data from the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program was analysed from

1 July 2011 to 31 October 2013. For analysis of water quality results prior to this date, refer to BSC

DWQMP 2011.

Table 16 NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program Data: Byron


Number Samples

Non Compliance

Min Mean 95%ile Max

E. coli (cfu/100 ml) < 1 352 0 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1

Total Coliform

(cfu/100 ml) < 1 385 21 < 1 < 1 < 1 200

Free Chlorine (mg/L) 0.2 - 5 377 Low: 1 0.05 0.94 1.21 2.93

Total Chlorine (mg/L) 5 247 0 0.16 1.08 1.36 1.47

pH (pH units) 6.5 – 8.5 371

High: 2

Low: 1 0.9 7.7 8.1 9.2

True Colour (HU) 15 42 0 1 1 1 1

Turbidity (NTU) 5 255 1 0.1 0.3 0.5 24

Hardness (CaCO3)

(mg/L) 200 44 0 78 92 102 115

Aluminium (mg/L) 0.2 44 0 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.04

Manganese (mg/L) 0.5 42 0 0.001 0.003 0.003 0.007



E. coli

From a total of 352 samples, no detections have occurred from 1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013

Total Coliform

From a total of 385 samples, 21 detections occurred from 1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013. The highest total

coliform reading of 200 cfu/100 ml occurred at the Byron Street, Bangalow monitoring location on

5 June 2012.

The presence of these coliforms may represent release from pipe or sediment biofilms, and may be

part of the normal flora of the drinking-water distribution system.

Free Chlorine

From a total of 377 samples, low residual occurred from 1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013. The low residuals

occurred on 4 Jun 2013, with readings of 0.05 and 0.15 mg/L, respectively at the Tweed Street,

Brunswick Heads monitoring location.

Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in the water supply system, and it is recommended that drinking

water must reach the consumer with at least 0.2 mg/L of free chlorine to ensure appropriate

disinfection.



pH

From a total of 371 samples, 2 exceedances and 1 low residual occurred from 1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013.

The highest recorded pH was 9.2, recorded at the Bay Street, Byron Bay monitoring location on

10 Apr2012.

Although not a health value, the ADWG strongly recommend to keep pH between 6.5 and 8.5 to

minimise corrosion and encrustation of plumbing systems and water reticulation mains.

Turbidity

From a total of 255 samples, one exceedance of turbidity has occurred from 1 Jul 2011 - 31 Oct 2013.

The exceedance of 24 NTU occurred on 19 Jun 2012, at the Bay Street, Byron Bay monitoring location.

In relation to health considerations, turbidity can have a significant effect on microbial quality of

drinking water. Elevated turbidity can interfere with the detection and treatment of bacteria and

viruses. E.coli and total coliform were not detected on the days of turbidity exceedance, indicating that

disinfection was effective.



3.1 Risk Assessment A risk assessment was carried out with Byron Shire Council, NSW Health

Public Health Unit, Rous Water and HydroScience Consulting for a number

of identified risks and hazardous events for the BSC drinking water supply.

The risk assessment includes:

Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply: Catchment, Laverty’s Gap

Weir, Race, Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant, Reservoirs and

Distribution System

Byron Drinking Water Supply: Reservoirs and Distribution System

It is noted that the Rous Water DWMS / Risk Assessment assesses the risks for Rocky Creek

Catchment, Rocky Creek Dam, Nightcap Water Treatment Plant and distribution to inlet of

the BSC reservoirs

Set out in Table 17 is a summary of the Risk Assessment. All residual risks identified as Medium, High

and Very High are listed in the BSC Risk Assessment summary. The residual risks are determined in

conjunction with the existing multiple barriers and preventive measures and indicate the effectiveness

of existing strategies or where improvements are required. Refer to Appendix 2 for the comprehensive

BSC Water Supply Risk Assessment including the risk matrices adopted by workshop participants.

Table 17 BSC Drinking Water Quality Risk Assessment Summary

Hazardous event / cause

Hazard / contaminants

Control Point Preventive Measures

Monitoring and Control

Residual Risk

Wilsons Creek Catchment

Onsite Sewage

Management

system

discharges /

failures

Pathogens,

nutrients

(nitrates,

nitrites)

Lavertys Gap Weir

>1000 cfu/100 ml

Filtration

Disinfection

Onsite Sewerage

Management Policy

and Strategy

Installation, design and

maintenance standards

LG Act 1993 and

Regulations

Coagulation,

Sedimentation,

Filtration

Disinfection (automatic

dosing)

Education

Landcare – Riparian

Zone

Catchment

monitoring

Operational

monitoring -

Chlorine continuous

Filtration monitoring

Supply monitoring –

Faecal coliforms

weekly /

DoH supply

monitoring E.coli

weekly or fortnightly

Medium

Chemical spill

in catchment

Pesticides,

Herbicides,

Fertilisers,

petrol

Fire Brigade spill

response

BSC Incident and

Emergency

Management Plans

Medium

3 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Ensuring drinking

water safety and

quality requires

the application of

a considered risk

management

approach







Residual Risk

Farming

practices

Pesticides,

Herbicides,

Fertilisers,

Nutrients,

turbidity, colour

Raw water intake:

NTU >10

Filtration

Disinfection

Raw water turbidity

monitoring

Coagulation,

Sedimentation,

Filtration

Education

Pesticides Act 1999

Prosecution /

compliance

Catchment

monitoring

Point of Supply –

monthly monitoring

Medium

Land clearing Turbidity,

nutrients, colour

NTU >10 at raw

water intake

Filtration

Automatic alarm alerts

WTP operator for

further information

about catchment

Coagulation,

Sedimentation,

Filtration

Native Vegetation Act

Tree Preservation

Order

Prosecution /

compliance

Operational

monitoring –

continuous

Medium

Natural

Disasters

All pollutants

Loss of supply

BSC Incident and

Emergency

Management Plans

Plant Shut down

Weather observations

/ predictions

Medium


Blue green

algae outbreak

Taste , odour,

cyanotoxins,

endotoxins, &

Liposaccarides

Cyanobacteria

> 500 cells /ml

Critical levels –

boiled water alert

Education

Maintaining

environmental flows

Alternate water supply

(Rous Water) –

although major $

Catchment

monitoring –

nutrients monthly

Visual Inspections of

Coarse screen

Monthly testing: June

– Oct

Weekly testing: Nov –

May

High

Failure of weir

(loss of storage

capacity)

Physical

damage from

water flow

Loss of water

supply

Inspections of weir Alternate water supply

(Rous Water)

Periodic inspections

of weir

Dam not considered a

high risk dam

High

Race

Deliberate

contamination

Chemical,

Fertilisers,

Herbicides,

Pesticides etc

BSC Incident and

Emergency

Management Plans

Visual inspection by

operator

Visual monitoring Medium







Residual Risk

Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant

No medium or high residual risks were identified for the Mullumbimby Treatment Plant – all maximum risks identified

were reduced to an acceptable level (Low) with appropriate preventive measures and controls

Mullumbimby and Byron Reservoirs

Rous Water

providing

water of poor

quality / out of

specs

Pathogens,

Chemical

contamination

Free chlorine

Min 0.5mg/L

Target 0.8mg/L

pH - 7

Reservoir Monitoring Weekly sampling at

reservoir

“Out of Specs

Report” sent to Rous

Water

Medium

Mullumbimby and Byron Distribution Systems

Unauthorised

/ authorised

access to

hydrants

Pathogens,

turbidity, colour

Authorised access –

specified hydrant for

water withdrawal

Unauthorised access –

Prosecution

Medium

3.2 Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers BSC support a multi barrier approach for the protection of Drinking Water supplies as promoted by

ADWG. The strength of this approach is that a failure in one barrier may be compensated by effective

operation of the remaining barriers, minimising the likelihood of contaminants passing through to

consumers.

The NSW Office of Water issued Circular LWU 18 ‘Assuring the safety of drinking water supplies’,

(4 June 2014) with corresponding protocols that are to be implemented by all local water utilities

providing a drinking water supply. The Circular is available in Appendix 3. Council must meet the

minimum requirements in order to achieve the key barriers outlined below (NSW Office of Water,

2014):

Effective disinfection to kill or remove pathogens in the raw water

Ensure distribution system integrity to prevent contamination

Maintenance of free chlorine residual in the reticulation system

Council is required to ensure the SOPs meet the minimum requirement for each key barrier as

outlined by NSW Office of Water.

3.2.1 Key Barriers

Effective Disinfection

To achieve effective disinfection, NSW Office of Water recommends that Council operates the

drinking water supply systems to achieve the targets as summarised in Table 18.



Table 18 Required Monitoring

Parameter Target Unit Notes

Chlorine

residual

≥ 0.5 mg/L Target is prior to first consumer. It is recommended that

Council monitors chlorine demand after changes in raw

water quality and adjust chlorine dosing as required. It is

recommended that free chlorine tests be performed at

representative sample points in each drinking water supply

system at least once per week.

C.t. > 15 mg/L/min C.t. is a measure of free chlorine residual concentration (C)

and contact time (t). The C.t. values can be achieved by

adjusting chlorine dose or contact time.

pH < 8.5 pH units Disinfection effectiveness is compromised at pH above 8.5,

with the desirable pH range for disinfection between 7.8-8.2

Temperature > 10 ◦C Monitoring is recommended when < 10 ◦C, as disinfection

decreases after this point

Turbidity CCP

< 0.1

NTU NSW Office of Water recommends turbidity target to be as

low as practicable, preferably below 1 NTU for filtered

systems

Distribution System Integrity

Once water is effectively disinfected, the only avenue for pathogens to enter the drinking water

supply system is through a breach in the distribution system. It is therefore extremely important for

Council to protect the integrity of their drinking water distribution system. A more detailed

description, including pictures, is available in Appendix 3.

Carry out a careful and detailed examination of each service reservoir to ensure:

Reservoir and its roof are secure from entry by birds, animals, vermin and windborne

contaminants

Rainwater cannot enter into the reservoir: no leaking roof, holes in reservoir wall or gaps

around roof opening

All inspection hatches are closed and locked at all times

Reservoir site and roof are secure from unauthorised access

Check air valves and ensure they are functioning in accordance with manufacturer’s

standards and operating procedures

Check any testable backflow prevention devices and ensure they are operating in accordance

with the manufacturer’s standard operating procedures, tested in accordance with AS3500

and there is no cross contamination

Check and ensure all potable water connections with a risk of cross contamination such as

connections to sewerage facilities (pumping stations, treatment facilities, etc.), livestock

watering and other non-drinking uses are provided with appropriate backflow prevention

devices and are regularly tested in accordance with AS3500



Check and ensure all potable water connections to top up alternative water systems such as

rainwater tanks, automatic switching device of premises are provided with backflow

prevention devices and are operating in accordance with the manufacturer’s standard

operating procedures, tested in accordance with AS3500 and there is no cross contamination

Review the reservoir maintenance standard operating procedures to ensure they are sound

and fit for purpose

Review the standard operating procedures for repair and re-instatement of distribution

system infrastructure that comes into contact with potable water such as mains and reservoirs

to ensure the procedures are sound and fit for purpose. Thoroughly clean and super-

chlorinate before use, all new and repaired distribution system infrastructure, such as mains

and reservoirs, that is in contact with potable water

Undertake all remedial works to assure system integrity as a matter of priority

It is recommended that Council maintain records (checklists, reports, photos, etc.) of all distribution

system inspections, results, deficiencies and rectification works (NSW Office of Water, 2014).

Free Chlorine in Distribution System

Maintaining chlorine residual is important to protect drinking water from minor contamination due to

breaches in system integrity (NSW Office of Water, 2014). It is recommended by the NSW Office of

Water and ADWG that free chlorine of ≥ 0.2 mg/L be achieved at all points within the reticulation, and

that a sudden large drop in chlorine residual should be an indicator to water operators that

contamination may have occurred.

If chlorine residual at dead ends consistently remain below 0.2 mg/L but above 0.05 mg/L and no

E. coli detections have occurred, Council must perform the actions outlined in section 0 on an annual

basis. If free chlorine results are consistently below 0.05 mg/L with no E. coli detections, Council must

perform the actions in section 3.2.2 on a four-monthly basis in addition to flushing extremities and

looping dead ends.

3.2.2 Mullumbimby Supply System Key Barriers

To reduce the identified hazards to an acceptable level the following barriers are maintained in the

Mullumbimby Water Supply system:

Catchment management

Extraction management - continuous turbidity monitoring

Treatment - coagulation, flocculation and pressure sand filtration

Primary disinfection by Chlorination

Distribution system residual maintenance

Maintaining a closed system

Customer connection – backflow prevention

3.2.3 Byron Supply System Key Barriers

Rous Water has a number of preventive measures in place to ensure a multiple barrier approach to the

protection of the bulk water supply. This includes catchment management, source water control,

treatment, and disinfection. For further information refer to Rous Water DWMS.



BSC responsibilities are to ensure the bulk water supplied by Rous Water maintains the disinfection

residual during storage and reticulation. BSC reduce the identified hazards in the Byron reservoirs

and reticulation system by ensuring the following barriers are maintained in the Byron Water Supply

system:

Distribution system residual maintenance

Maintaining a closed system

Customer connection – backflow prevention

3.3 Critical Control Points Critical Control Points (CCPs) are activities, procedures or processes where the operator can apply

control, and are essential processes in reducing risks to an acceptable level.

In order to define acceptable from unacceptable performance at each point, target levels, alert levels

and critical limits have been identified for Council’s drinking water supply systems.

Set out below in Table 19 and Table 20 are the identified CCPs, critical limits, monitoring undertaken

and corrective actions for Byron and Mullumbimby drinking water supplied, respectively.

Three different levels have been set for each CCP within Council’s drinking water supply systems:

1. Target Level Representing day to day operational limits and procedures. This is what the

WTP aims to achieve

2. Alert Level: Deviation from the Alert Limit indicates a trend towards loss of control and

corrective actions should be immediately taken to resolve the problem and restore control to

the Drinking Water Supply System

3. Critical Limit: Deviation from the Critical Limit indicates loss of control and the potential of

unacceptable health risks. If the critical limit is exceeded, incident and emergency plans

should be immediately activated



Table 19 Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply System Critical Control Points

Parameter Frequency Target Limit

Operational Procedures Alert Limit

Corrective Actions Critical Limits Corrective Actions

CCP 1 Extraction Management

Turbidity

(NTU)

Continuous < 10 Visual inspection of plant daily

Visual check of chlorine

analyser daily

Visual check of race channel

Check pH daily

Check NTU after filtration

Weekly clean of analyser

Weekly inspection of source

water at Laverty’s Gap Weir

Calibrate turbidity meter by

external contractor 4 monthly

Clean / scour race channel

twice yearly

> 25 Visual inspection dosing

equipment

Perform Jar test - adjust alum

dose

Check pH – adjust soda ash

Visual inspection flocc

Check NTU after filtration

Perform backwash

Check Aluminium residual in

finished water

Contact supervisor

Increase monitoring until

system conforms

> 60 Shut down WTP

Contact Manger

Undertake alert limit corrective

actions

Scour race channel

Manual restart when turbidity target

reached

Increase monitoring until system

conforms

Refer to Operating Manual 7.3 Incident

Management Protocol

CCP 2 Filtration

Turbidity

(NTU)

Continuous < 0.2 Visual inspection of plant daily

Visual inspection of flocc

formation

Check raw water NTU daily

Check Aluminium residual in

finished water

Weekly clean of analyser

Calibrate turbidity meter by

external contractor 4 monthly

Refer to Planned Maintenance

Schedule

> 0.5

Perform backwash

If filters backwash >2/day

check for blockages

Investigate coagulant dose

rates – adjust accordingly

Visual inspection flocc

Check raw water NTU


system conforms

Contact supervisor

Refer to Operating Manual

> 1 WTP automatically shuts down

Contact Manger

Undertake alert limit corrective

actions

Manual restart when turbidity target

reached

Refer to Incident Management Protocol




Operational Procedures Alert Limit

Corrective Actions Critical Limits Corrective Actions

CCP 3 Disinfection at Clearwater tank

Free chlorine

(mg/L)

Daily 1 - 2 Daily monitoring of Free and

Total Chlorine

Weekly sampling of chlorine

residual in reservoirs and

reticulation system

Weekly calibration of analyser

Calibrate analyser by external

contractor 4 monthly

Check pH and NTU


Schedule

< 0.8

OR

> 2

Investigate chlorine system

and check for possible

contaminants

Sample Chlorine Residual in

reservoirs and reticulation to

ensure adequate disinfection

Adjust dosing rate if required

Check pH and NTU


system conforms

Contact supervisor


< 0.5

OR

> 5.0

Shut down WTP

Sample Chlorine Residual in

reservoirs and reticulation to ensure

adequate disinfection

Contact Manager

Consider ‘topping-up’ disinfectant


conforms

Contact NSW Health

CCP 4 Reservoirs

Chlorine

residual

(mg/L)

Weekly 0.8 Chlorine residual sampling

weekly from reservoirs, and

points of supply

Calibrate chlorine analyser

Yearly

Weekly visual inspection /

observations around reservoir

Annual planned maintenance

inspection and repairs

5 yearly Inspection by external

consultants – with inspection

report


Schedule

< 0.5 Check chlorine residual at

plant and adjust if necessary

Check pH and NTU

Repair breach within 1 week

of observation


system conforms

Contact supervisor


< 0.2

OR

> 5.0

ENSURE contaminated water does

not reach the consumer

Check chlorine at plant and adjust if

necessary

Consider “topping up “ in Reservoir

Obstruct any entry points to reservoir

until repairs can be carried out


conforms

Contact Manger

Contact NSW Health


Management Protocol

Reservoir

integrity

Weekly No

evidence

of breach

or vermin

Visual

identificati

on of

breach or

vermin

access to

reservoirs

Visual

identification of

vermin or

contaminant in

reservoirs



Table 20 Byron Drinking Water Supply System Critical Control Points


Operational Procedures Alert Limit Corrective Actions Critical Limits Corrective Actions

CCP 1 Reservoirs

Chlorine

residual

(mg/L)

Weekly 0.8 Chlorine residual sampling

weekly from reservoirs, and

points of supply

Calibrate chlorine probe

yearly

Weekly visual inspection /

observations around

reservoir

Annual planned

maintenance inspection and

repairs

5 yearly Inspection by

external consultants – with

inspection report


Schedule

< 0.5 Check pH and NTU

Check Chlorine residual in

reticulation system

Consider ‘topping up’

reservoir with liquid

chlorine to ensure

disinfection

Repair breach within 1 week

of observation

Contact supervisor


< 0.2

OR

> 5.0

ENSURE contaminated water does


Contact Rous to check chlorine at

WTP and adjust if necessary

Consider “topping up “ in Reservoir

Obstruct any entry points to

reservoir until repairs can be carried

out

Contact Manger

Contact Rous Water

Contact NSW Health


Management Protocol

Reservoir

integrity

Weekly No evidence

of breach or

vermin

Visual

identification

of breach or

vermin access

to reservoirs

Visual

identification of

vermin or

contaminant in

reservoirs



4.1 Operational Monitoring Operational monitoring is a planned sequence of measurements and

observations throughout the water supply system to ensure and

confirm performance of preventive measures and barriers to

contamination. The importance of operational monitoring to the

effective maintenance of preventive barriers to contamination cannot be

overstated.

The single most significant concern for WTP operators is to ensure effective barriers are in place to

protect the drinking water supply from waterborne microbial pathogens. Therefore the most

important monitoring activity is to ensure that microbial contamination does not cross the barriers

and enter the drinking water supply.

BSC have a Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Plan (#1121196) documenting monitoring points,

parameters, trigger levels, frequency, actions and responsibilities from catchment to consumer. The

purpose of the BSC operational monitoring regime is to assess the operational performance of the

water supply systems. The parameters and points monitored are used to reflect the effectiveness of

each process and indicate treatment performance. A detailed Monitoring Plan is in Appendix 4 and

summarised in Table 21.

The Mullumbimby WTP operational monitoring regime includes the continuous monitoring of:

Turbidity at raw water intake and filters

pH at finished water

Free Chlorine at finished water

In relation to health considerations, turbidity can have a significant effect on the microbial quality of

drinking water. High turbidity can interfere with the detection and treatment of bacteria and viruses,

and is known to protect microorganisms from the action of disinfectants. The ADWG (2011)

recommends that in order to remove waterborne pathogens in unprotected catchments, where

filtration is used as part of the water treatment process, the turbidity leaving the filters, under normal

operating conditions should be < 0.2 NTU (NHMRC).

pH is monitored at the ‘finished water’ to ensure effective disinfection. NSW Office of Water

recommends that for effective disinfection pH is maintained at 7.8 – 8.2.

WTP operators must ensure that the drinking water supply remains free from microbial

contamination as it moves through the distribution system. Typically, Chlorine residuals at a point of

supply in Australia are generally in the range of 0.1 to 4 mg/L with typical concentration at 0.2 mg/L.

Monitoring results are reviewed by WTP operators or managers on receipt and management decisions

are adjusted accordingly. Key operational parameters and management actions have been noted in

Table 22.

4 Monitoring



Table 21 Operational Monitoring Regime for Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant

Monitoring Source Water WTP Reservoir Reticulation

Physical and Chemical Parameters

pH Daily Continuously Weekly Weekly

Turbidity Daily Continuously Weekly

Colour Weekly Weekly

TDS Weekly Weekly

Alkalinity Weekly Weekly Weekly

Fe, Mn Weekly Weekly Weekly

Aluminum Daily Weekly

Chemical dosage Daily

Microbiological Quality

E. coli Monthly & Event Weekly Weekly Weekly

Faecal coliforms Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly

Total coliforms Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly

HPC 35 Weekly Weekly

HPC 20 Weekly

Cyanobacteria

Blue Green Algae at

Lavertys Gap Weir

Weekly (Nov-May)

Monthly (Jun-Oct)

Disinfection

Total Chlorine Daily Weekly Weekly

Free chlorine Daily Weekly Weekly

Other

Rainfall Daily

Weir Level Daily

Flow rate Daily & Event Daily

No. of backwashes Daily



Table 22 Key Operational Processes and Corrective Actions

CCP, Process Step

Potential Hazard / Cause

Critical Limits Monitoring Corrective Action

Wilsons Creek Catchment

Blue Green Algae

(BGA)

Low flows, high

nutrient levels in

Wilsons Creek.

Introduction of

micro hazards

(BGA), chemical

toxins and or

physical hazards

(taste and odour)


Corrective action is

required if:

BGA Cell Count

> 500 cells/ml

Catchment nutrient

levels (monthly)

Visual inspection in

Weir pool and coarse

screen (Daily)

Weekly sampling

Nov - May

Monthly sampling

June – Oct

Shut down WTP

Refer to Blue Green

Algae Management Protocols Doc #659568

CCP 1

Turbidity at Raw

Water Intake

High flow in

Wilsons Creek

causing increased

turbidity and

organic loads.

Possible pathogen

contamination and

reduced treatment

capacity

Raw Water Intake


required if:

Turbidity >10 NTU

WTP shutdown if:

Turbidity >60 NTU

Raw water intake

Turbidity

(continuous)

Adjust alum dose

Perform backwash

Shut down WTP

Refer to Operating

Manual 7.3 Incident Management Protocol

Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant

Alum dosing Microbial, chemical

or physical

contamination due

to incorrect alum

dosing


required if:

Raw Water Intake

pH < 6.0 or > 7.0

Filtered Water

Turbidity > 1.0 NTU

Finished Water

Al residual > 0.2mg/L

Raw Water Intake

Turbidity

(continuous)

Filtered water

Turbidity and pH

(continuous)

Finished Water

Al (daily)

pH (continuous)

Jar tests should be

performed to ensure

accurate dosing

Dosing equipment

should be checked

Refer to Operating

Manual7.3 Incident Management Protocol

Planned Maintenance Schedule

CCP 2

Filtration

Microbial and or

chemical

contamination due

to filter break

through

Filtered Water

Plant Auto Shutdown

Turbidity > 0.8 NTU

Operator Auto Alarm

Turbidity > 0.5 NTU


required if:

Turbidity target of <0.2

NTU prior to

disinfection

> 3 backwashes daily

Filtered water

Turbidity

(continuous)

Perform backwash –

immediately after high

turbidity is detected.

If filters backwash >2/day

check for blockages in the

system

Investigate coagulant

dose rates

Refer to Operating

Manual

Incident Management Protocol




CCP, Process Step

Potential Hazard / Cause

Critical Limits Monitoring Corrective Action

CCP 3

Disinfection

Microbial

(pathogen)

contamination due

to inadequate

disinfection.

Chemical

contamination from

disinfection by -

products resulting

from over dosing.

Aesthetic issues due

to high chlorine

doses.

Finished Water

Corrective action

required if:

Free Chlorine Residual:

Lower limit –

0.8 -1.2mg/L

Upper limit – 5mg/L

Target – 3mg/L

pH > 8.0

Turbidity > 0.5 NTU

(Operator Alarm)

Finished Water

pH (continuously)

Free Chlorine

(continuous)

Residual (Daily)

Turbidity (Daily)

Investigate chlorine

system and check for

possible contaminants

Adjust dosing rate if

required

Refer to Operating

Manual


Mullumbimby and Byron Reservoirs

CCP 4

Maintenance of

water quality and

Reservoir

Integrity

Microbial

(pathogen)

contamination

Due to presence of

pest or vermin in

reservoir

Reticulation

Corrective action

required if:

Free Chlorine

Residual : < 0.2mg/L

Target – 0.5 mg/L

Chlorine residual

(weekly) in

reticulation system, at

reservoirs, and points

of supply.

Visual reservoir

inspections monthly

ENSURE potentially

contaminated water does


e.g. stop supply

Check Chlorine at plant:

adjust chlorine dosing

rate

Obstruct any entry points

to reservoir until repairs

can be carried out

Refer to Operating

Manual7.3 Incident Management Protocol


Mullumbimby and Byron Distribution Systems

Maintain water

quality

Pathogens /

Microbial regrowth

due to Inadequate

disinfection at WTP

Chemical

contamination from

disinfection by-

products as a result

of over dosing

Aesthetic issues due

to high chlorine

dosing

Reticulation system


require if at the end

point of supply

chlorine residual is :

< 0.2 mg/L or

>1.5 mg/L

Reticulation system

Chlorine residual

Weekly sampling at

various locations

through the

distribution system

Refer to Planned Maintenance Schedule

Adjust dose rate if

required



4.2 Verification of Drinking Water Quality The results of the E. coli monitoring program will not prevent unsafe

water being supplied to consumers, and drinking water quality

monitoring should not be substituted for or used in place of a well –

constructed operational risk based monitoring program.

The verification of the drinking water quality supplied to consumers is an

essential element in assessing the overall performance of the system.

Verification provides an important link back to the operation of the water

supply system and additional assurance that the preventive measures

and treatment barriers in the water supply system have worked, and are

supplying safe drinking water.

The ADWG 2011 recommends that sampling points within a distribution system are divided into

zones that are typically:

Supplied from a single source, and / or

Hydraulically separated from other zones

BSC have a Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Plan that outlines all monitoring points, parameters,

trigger levels, frequency, actions and responsibilities (refer to Appendix 4). As the priority for

drinking water quality is to confirm microbial safety, locations for verification monitoring are

strategically placed so that representative sites are monitored at the ‘end of supply’ from each

reservoir. As previously noted in Section 2.3 this DWMS has identified a zone that requires water

quality monitoring:

Mullumbimby Water Supply - Left Bank Reservoir and reticulation

BSC maintain a chlorine residual of 0.2 mg/L to 0.5 mg/L throughout the Mullumbimby and Byron

distribution system.

Byron Shire Council monitors water quality at the point of supply as part of the NSW Health Drinking

Water Monitoring Program which provides ongoing independent verification of the treatment process.

Frequency of sampling is based on population. The Program assesses 36 parameters for microbial,

physical and chemical properties of the water. These parameters and their sampling frequencies are

displayed in Table 23. The results can be accessed at www.drinkingwaterdb.nsw.gov.au.

Council’s Water and Sewerage operators are responsible for the collection of samples for the NSW

Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program. Samples are submitted in accordance with the “Guide for

Submitting Water Samples to FASS for Analysis” and the BSC water sampling procedure.

http://www.drinkingwaterdb.nsw.gov.au/



Table 23 Verification Monitoring Regime for BSC Water Supply

Analysis Mullumbimby Reticulation Byron Reticulation

Microbiological

E. coli Weekly Weekly

Total coliforms Weekly Weekly



Physical / Chemical

pH Weekly Weekly

Turbidity Weekly Weekly

Alkalinity Weekly Monthly

TDS 6 Monthly Monthly

Colour 6 Monthly Monthly

Disinfection

Total Chlorine Weekly Weekly

Free Chlorine Weekly Weekly

Metals

Aluminium 6 Monthly Monthly

Iron 6 Monthly Monthly

Manganese 6 Monthly Monthly

Metals Suite 6 Monthly Monthly

Pesticides

If detected or

potential presence

Baseline assessment required

Radiological

Radionuclides New supplies should be assessed quarterly for one year, then every 5 years

Council evaluates water quality data on receipt of monitoring results. Water quality results from the

NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program are reported to the Manager of Water and Sewer

and delegated to the treatment plant operators.



Any exceedances are recorded and acted upon immediately with the appropriate regulatory

authorities notified. All test results are recorded in the NSW Health Drinking Water Database which is

completely independent of Byron Shire Council. The NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring

Program provides the following response protocols, accessible to Council:

NSW Health Response Protocol: for the management of microbiological quality of drinking

water (November 2011)

NSW Health Response Protocol: for the management of physical and chemical quality

(January 2004)

E. coli exceedances require immediate re-testing (using the “Form for urgent sample submission to

FASS”) as stipulated in the NSW Health response protocol for the management of microbiological

quality of drinking water. Council should immediately discuss any E. coli exceedances with NSW

Health, which may result in a boil water alert.



5.1 Operational Procedures

As part of the development of the DWMS, key operating procedures and corrective actions were

established for each Critical Control Point (CCP) within the Mullumbimby and Byron drinking water

supply systems. These included operational procedures required to achieve the target levels and

corrective actions in the event that alert or critical limits are reached.

The CCPs for each system are:

Mullumbimby – Extraction management base on turbidity, Filtered water turbidity,

Disinfection, and Integrity of Reservoirs

Byron - Disinfection and Integrity of Reservoirs

The operational procedures and corrective actions for the Mullumbimby and Byron CCPs are

available in Table 19 and Table 20, respectively. For other tasks undertaken in the water supply

systems BSC have Safe Work Method Statement that document the operational procedures.

BSC has an Operations Manual that documents procedures and equipment specifications for

operation of the Water Treatment Plant. The Manuals are kept at the Water and Sewer Operations

office in Bayshore Drive Byron Bay and at the Water Treatment Plant. The Coordinator of Reticulation

and Treatment Systems is responsible for the care and security of these manuals.

5.2 Preventive Maintenance and Calibration Preventive maintenance ensures assets are kept in good working order and therefore contamination

incidences should not result from malfunctions of important processes. Calibration of instruments

especially used to measure critical limits is required to ensure data is reliable.

Water and Sewer planned maintenance tasks are listed and managed using the schedules in the

spread sheets in Documents #448000, #468000 and #464600. The Customer Request Management

(CRM) database is used to manage the task workflows.

Tasks are automatically flagged in the schedule spreadsheets when they become due. CRMs (or

Requests) are then raised for these due tasks and the CRM numbers recorded in the schedule. All of

the Water and Sewer Assets are identified in spreadsheets which are included in the GIS system;

relevant financial schedules and the planned maintenance spreadsheets. Each asset (or group of

assets) is provided with check sheets. These include maintenance instructions with check boxes to

confirm completion and record readings.

The maintenance spreadsheets identify:

Asset or group of assets

Officers responsible for undertaking the maintenance

Frequency of maintenance activity

Last done

Next Due

5 Operational Procedures and Process Control



The check sheet documents are printed, marked with the CRM numbers and issued. The assigned

field staff complete the work outlined on the check sheets and mark them up to provide job reports.

The checklists are then returned, the CRMs closed and the schedules updated. The spreadsheets then

recalculate the next due dates for each task. Any identified work is recorded in a planned repair

backlog by raising additional CRMs.

Customer reports of breakdowns and other issues are also recorded using CRMs. These sheets are

printed and assigned to field staff that address the problems and return the sheets so the CRMs can be

completed.

Planned maintenance completion for each asset class is reviewed weekly by the Water and Sewer

Coordinators to identify progress and priorities. See Chart below of example of data reviewed.

Figure 13 Example of Customer Request Management Database

The Water Treatment Plant has a specific instrumentation maintenance task and instructions.

Similarly all flow meters and instrumentation in the reticulation system.

The Water and Sewer Planned Maintenance manual (document #692271) is in draft form and is still to

be reviewed and finalised.

5.2.1 Unplanned Maintenance

Unplanned maintenance is identified through various sources. These are:

WTP SCADA system - The Water Treatment Plant has an SCX based SCADA system

operating the plant. The details of the system are contained in the WTP Operations Manual.

This system is monitored at the site; the Operations office at the BSC Depot; and on the

Coordinator’s notebook computers

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Water & Sewer Water Sewer Retic STP Average All Reuse Tasks

The higher the better

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Reuse fasks separated

from STP tasks

Tasks that are up to date (i.e. not

overdue) as a percentage of the total

number of scheduled tasks.

Only scheduled tasks with a

frequency of one month or greater

are included.



Telemetry system - The reservoirs and water booster pump stations around the Shire are all

monitored by a telemetry system. The main parameters monitored are reservoir levels and

pump stations pump operations. This system is monitored at the Operations office at the BSC

Depot; and on all the operational computers

Planned maintenance inspections – as detailed above. This system can be viewed on all BSC

computers

Phone calls from the public – Notification from the Public are documented in the Customer

Request Management system. Members of the public can phone, fax or email any issues they

may have or see with the water system. In particular this mechanism is essential for

identifying service line breaks; main breaks; meter repairs; water quality and low flow issues.

During business hours CRMs are raised immediately the information is received. CRMs are

available on all BSC computers

Operational observations – The Water Treatment Plant has a qualified Water Operator attend

the plant on a daily basis. Daily duties include inspections of all components for correct

operation. Any observed malfunctions are either dealt with immediately or are subject of a

CRM for actioning by others

Out of specification reports from monitoring data (via the WASP data base) – This is an SQL

database system that records data collected by the site operators and all parameter data

analysed by external sources (most commonly external Laboratorys). The data is input both

manually and automatically depending on the source. All key parameters have control limits

set. If a result is outside these control limits an email is sent to the Coordinator Reticulation

and Treatment Systems and the Manager System Operations Water for action as required

During business hours calls from the public are received by Water and Sewerage staff that take details

of the caller and the problem; and raise a Customer Request in the CRM system. This CRM system

will send an email to the Coordinator Reticulation and Treatment Systems for actioning in the field. If

the problem is of an urgent nature, the receiving officer will also telephone the Coordinator to ensure

the issue is responded to in a timely manner.

After hours, calls from the public are received by a contracted monitoring service. They have

instructions that any calls received regarding water and sewerage assets/problems are immediately

referred to the Water and Sewerage On-Call Coordinator for assessment and resourcing as required.

During business hours the Coordinator Reticulation and Treatment Systems has specific responsibility

for ensuring any alarms from the Water System and telephone calls from the public are appropriately

resourced. After hours the Water and Sewerage On-Call Coordinator has specific responsibility for

ensuring all calls from the public and alarms are monitored and appropriately resourced.

The Manager System Operations Water has overall responsibility to ensure that there is a responsible

person at all times monitoring and resourcing alarms generated by the SCADA and Telemetry

systems or phoned in by the public.

The Water and Sewerage On-Call system operates on a rostered basis with all Water and Sewerage

operational staff required to participate. An overview of the system is as follows:



The On-Call Roster system requires all Water and Sewerage employees to participate. This

requirement is detailed in all Position Descriptions. It is stipulated for OH&S purposes that no

employee is required to go on call more than 1 week in 4. Having all employees participate means

Council can comply with this requirement. It also means Council does not become dependent on any

one employee having "all the knowledge".

To overcome some inherent conflicts of interest an On Call Coordinator (OCC) role was created. This

is a senior employee who is the contact point for all SCADA alarms and after hour calls from the

public through a call centre. The OCC receives the call or alarm and makes a decision of what

resources are required. They then SMS or call the appropriate on call employee to attend. This

divorces the decision from the benefit. The called out employee responds to the issue and then

contacts the OCC when they are finished. This also satisfies the “working alone” OH&S requirement.

The hours are recorded by the OCC which allows for appropriate verification for Supervisors to sign

off overtime on timesheets. The senior employees performing this function are Coordinators up to

Manager.

Apart from the On-Call Coordinator we also have on call:

Water Operator (1) - for WTP operations; water main and service line breaks

STP Operator (1) - for STP alarms and computer monitoring of plants

Sewer Maintenance (1) - for sewer blockages and sewer pump stations

Fitter / Electrician (1) - for mechanical / electrical issues any area

Miscellaneous (1) - this role is open to all employees and is used as a support role when more

than 1 person is required

5.3 Materials and Chemicals Council’s objective is to ensure all equipment purchased performs adequately and provides sufficient

flexibility and process control. All work carried out in the drinking water supply systems is done in

accordance with the Plumbing Code of Australia, AUS-SPEC0071 Water Supply – Reticulation and

Pump Stations (Design) (NATSPEC) and Australian Standards in the purchasing of materials.

The use, including transport and storage, of chemicals listed as “Dangerous Goods” under the Work

Health and Safety Regulation 2012 (NSW) (WH&S Regulation), including chlorine, is dictated by the

provisions of the WH&S Regulation and Work Cover. Storages and trucks are licensed according to

the WH&S Regulation.

Council purchases water treatment chemicals through reputable suppliers. All materials, chemicals

and consultancy services are procured using Councils Purchasing and Tender Guidelines (document

#1068115). Materials are generally specified using the AUS-SPEC produced standards for Water

Supply and Reticulation.

Development Design Specification D11 Water Supply

Development Construction Specification C401 Water Reticulation



NSW Health recommends that all chemical deliveries are attended by a trained water treatment plant

operator, and that the following procedures are followed:

A certificate of analysis is provided by the supplier at the time of delivery for each batch of

chemical supplied and that the chemical satisfies the criteria specified in Chapter 8 of the

ADWG, prior to the commencement of unloading

The operator is to check and confirm the correct chemical is being delivered into the

appropriate storage

If relevant, the operator is to check that the correct concentration has been supplied

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and appropriate chemical signs are displayed in a MSDS register

at the WTP and within the vicinity of chemical storage areas. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),

first aid kits, chemical spills kits, safety showers and eye wash stations are located at the

Mullumbimby WTP in the event of an emergency.

Chemicals used in the supply of drinking water at Mullumbimby WTP are listed in Table 24

Table 24 List of Chemicals Used in Mullumbimby Drinking Water Supply System

Chemical Purpose Suppliers Dosing

Concentration Storage Details

Soda ash pH adjustment Omega 10 % Stored at WTP in:

Bunded bulk tank

Fibre glass dosing

tank

Aluminium sulphate

Coagulation Omega 43 % Fibre glass dosing

tank

Chlorine Gas Disinfection Orica 98.9 % Chlorine room in

bulk 900kl tank.

Spare cylinders

available.

Supply is alarmed,

weighed and

operated by well-

trained staff.



6.1 Communication Byron Sire Council Water and Sewerage Operations have an Incident Management Protocol that

details how emergency situations will be managed and resolved. It also contains a list of key internal

and external contacts. It is updated annually or as required.

The BSC Incident Management Protocol (Operating Manual Edition 7.3) includes contact list of key

people, agencies and businesses; procedures for internal and external notification; responsibilities and

authorities both internal and external communication. Maintaining consumer confidence and trust

during and after an incident helps alley community concerns and restores community confidence in

the water supply.

The clearly defined BSC protocol for both internal and external communication enables Council to act

effectively in remediating the situation.

Table 25 BSC Internal Emergency Communication Details

Role Person Phone

1 Principal Engineering Systems Planning Dean Baulch 02 6626 7085

0418 463 885

2 Manger System Operations Water Peter Rees 02 6685 9306

0417 464 716

3 Director Infrastructure Services Phil Holloway 02 6626 7000

The Water Supply Agreement with Rous Water documents a communication protocol between BSC

and Rous Water. In the event of an emergency or incident BSC shall contact

Table 26 Rous Water Emergency Communication Details for Byron Supply

Role Person Phone

1 Distribution Services Manager Michael McKenzie 02 6623 3813

0407 351 731

2 Technical Services Director Wayne Franklin 02 6623 3811

0427 261 823

The Agreement stipulates that both parties shall document Emergency Management and Continuity

of Supply procedures with the intent of “ensuing structured downgrading and resumption of services

when circumstances necessitate”.

6 Management of Incidents and Emergencies



6.2 Incident and emergency response protocols BSC follows the protocols developed by NSW Health for incidents relating to Microbial (#1127480)

and Physical and Chemical (#1127668) contamination. Further to the NSW Health protocols BSC has

an internal Incident Management Protocol (Operating Manual Edition 7.3) for water and recycling

services.

It is of high priority that potential incidents are defined and emergency response protocols are

developed and documented in advance to such events occurring. Following an incident or emergency

situation Council is required to investigate the incident and revise protocols if required.

Employees should be trained in emergency response to ensure they can manage any potential

incidents or emergencies.



7.1 Training and awareness Training and awareness is essential to ensure the people that are working

within the water supply systems are not only competent with regards to their

position within the organisation, but are also aware of how their actions may

affect water quality.

As stated as a guiding principle in the ADWG (2011), “system operators must

maintain a personal sense of responsibility and dedication to providing

consumers with safe water; and should never ignore a consumer complaint

about water quality”.

Council has a training programme for all employees which is reviewed

annually. This training programme is a part of council’s overall Human

Resources management and is documented in the Human Resources

Management Manual (document #254796).

The water operations team has monthly toolbox meetings to discuss

operational issues. These meetings are minuted and reported to senior management.

The entire water and sewer operations team has quarterly production meetings with senior

management to discuss performance; operational and wider Council issues. These meetings are also

minuted.

7.2 Community Involvement and Awareness Council recognises the importance of community consultation through the Community Strategic Plan

(BSC, 2012). Council has a range of mechanisms to encourage community involvement through the

following mechanisms and initiatives:

1. Council’s Ordinary meetings: ordinary meetings of Council are held in the Council Chambers at

Station Street in Mullumbimby, with all meetings open to the public

2. Council’s website: Council maintains a “Water” section on Council’s website, which provides

information to the community in regards to plumbing, rainwater tanks, water education, water

interruptions and the water supply system. The DWMS is available through the website

3. The Lavertys Gap Catchment Management Plan (document #673411): has identified 6 actions to

implement to improve community involvement and awareness

4. Byron Shire Council partners Rous Water with various demand management programmes which

encompass

Rebates for water efficient devices

Rainwater tank rebates

Community education workshops

Business Blue and Green programme to reduce water consumption

7 Supporting Programs

System operators

must maintain a

personal sense of

responsibility and

dedication to

providing

consumers with

safe water; and

should never

ignore a consumer

complaint about

water quality



5. The Water and Recycling Advisory Committee: this committee comprises staff and volunteers

from the community who meet every 3 months and reviews data, policies and programmes and

makes recommendations to Council

6. Complaints Management Policy (document #1154370): details the procedures for handling

complaints submitted by the community. According to the policy, complaints monitoring will be

used to identify areas for improvement in Council’s service delivery

7. Customer Request Management System: every customer request received form the community is

formerly responded to with a letter advising the customer of the outcome and also providing

some water saving information

7.3 Investigative Studies and Research Monitoring BSC undertakes investigative studies and research monitoring on a project basis as required.

Examples of research and development include:

Mullumbimby WTP Upgrade – extensive research and studies were undertaken on plant

performance and structures to determine future water requirements. Mullumbimby WTP

Concept Design

In partnership with Rous – chloramation – chlorine / analysis of rainwater tanks in area

Hydraulic modelling of whole system is currently being developed and validated

7.4 Process and Equipment Validation Validation requires the evaluation of system processes and equipment to prove the performance

under all conditions expected to be encountered during operations. Validation should be undertaken

on new processes and equipment, when upgrades occur and on a regular basis to ensure continual

performance.

Validation should be undertaken when there is a:

Change in raw water quality

Modification to the water treatment processes

Change to the delivery, storage and distribution systems of treated and untreated water

Change in the use of treated water

Change in water quality standards

New research or understanding of water quality issues

Receipt of information that indicates a health risk associated with the quality of the drinking

water

Validation of new or upgraded processes and equipment is undertaken by qualified, experienced

engineers and operators through:

System design according to industry guidelines and standards

Individual process and equipment specification against CCP target limits

Procurement of equipment/chemicals from approved suppliers

Market pre-validation by suppliers, particularly associated with water treatment chemicals



Ongoing validation processes to ensure safe and acceptable drinking water is supplied to the

customer are:

Review of scientific literature on treatment processes and industry best practice

Evaluation of the effectiveness of CCPs in eliminating or controlling risks

Assessment of research and development work to ensure CCP limits remain appropriate

7.5 Documentation and Reporting

7.5.1 Management of Documentation and Records

Council maintains all documents in the TRIM document management system. All documents are

maintained in accordance with the state government guidelines.

The DWMS documents information pertinent to all aspects of drinking water quality management for

the Byron and Mullumbimby drinking water supply systems. The DWMS is a living document and

should be maintained in-line with actual operations and management. Any changes to the drinking

water supply systems should be updated and documented within this DWMS.

7.5.2 Reporting

Water quality monitoring results are recorded both manually and electronically on the Council server

at the Byron STP. These results are reported to the Water and Sewerage Manager monthly, unless

specifically requested, as in the event of an incident.

As required by the Water Supply Agreement with Rous Water:

BSC will provide quarterly Reports to Rous Water – to be submitted two weeks prior to the

Rous Water Regional Water Supply Agreement Committee meeting for inclusion in the

business paper

Rous Water will provide monthly and annual Reports to BSC

Council undertakes reporting as required by NSW Health and NSW Office of Water including:

NSW Health compliance reporting for drinking water quality monitoring: drinking water

quality within BSC is monitored and the results are recorded in the NSW Health Drinking

Water Database. Water quality reports can be produced from the database, which is located at

the following web page: http://www.drinkingwaterdb.nsw.gov.au

NSW Health also analyses drinking water samples in accordance with the minimum

requirements of the ADWG 2004. These results are recorded in the NSW Health Drinking

Water Database. Reports are issued annually on compliance

Water Supply and Sewerage NSW Performance Reporting: Council’s water supply service

performance is detailed in the NSW Water Supply and Sewerage Performance Monitoring

Report annually. This report is available for public access from the NSW Office of Water

Data is supplied annually to the NSW Office of Water and through them, reported federally as

part of the National Water Initiative. As part of this process, there is an external audit of the

data collection and reporting systems every 3 years. This is also reported to the NSW Office of

Water

In line with Council’s responsibilities the following reports are maintained:

Council Annual Report: available electronically on Council’s website

Byron Shire Council Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan

http://www.drinkingwaterdb.nsw.gov.au/



In addition to the above reports, Byron Shire Council Water Operations prepare monthly reports on

the status of the water operations. These reports are reviewed by BSC Manger System Operations

Water and issued to staff for information.

The following items are reviewed:

Financial position

Water Quality Issues

Water Main Breaks

Water Service Breaks

Low pressure/no pressure water issues

Quantity of water supplied

Water system losses

Number of Customer Requests received

Safety Incidents

7.6 Review and Audit

7.6.1 Evaluation and Audit

Water quality results within the Byron and Mullumbimby drinking water supply systems are

recorded and stored in the electronic database on the server at the Byron STP.

Council reviews this data regularly to observe, identify and analyse trends. The Water and Sewer Co-

ordinator reviews data on a daily basis. The Manger System Operations Water reviews the data on a

monthly basis or if they receive an alarm.

This is the first review and audit of the Byron Shire Council DWMS, two years after its initial

publication in 2011. This is an external review conducted by HydroScience, focussing on assessing

Council’s performance in relation to:

CCPs and their exceedances

Improvement Plan

Record keeping

NSW Performance Monitoring

It is recommended that Byron Shire Council internally review and audit the DWMS annually.

External audit of the DWMS is recommended every three years in the NSW Guidelines for Drinking

Water Management Systems. Council is fulfilling its external review obligations through this

document.

NSW Office of Water Inspector carries out external assessment of the WTP on quarterly basis. NSW

Office of Water and the NSW Health Public Health Unit may check key elements of the DWMS such

as whether CCPs are implemented correctly and whether the improvement plan is being

implemented. The NSW Health Regulation allows NSW Health to review a DWMS at any time.



Byron Shire Council Water Operations prepare monthly reports on the status of the water operations.

The following items are reviewed:

Financial position

Water Quality Issues

Water Main Breaks

Water Service Breaks

Low pressure/no pressure water issues

Quantity of water supplied

Water system losses

Number of Customer Requests received

Safety Incidents

These reports are reviewed by BSC Water and Recycling Senior Management and issued to staff for

information.

This and additional data is supplied annually to the NSW Office of Water and through them, reported

Federally as part of the National Water Initiative. As part of this process, there is an external audit of

the data collection and reporting systems every 3 years. This is also reported to the NSW Office of

Water.

7.6.2 Review by Senior Management

As part of the requirements of Council’s reporting procedures, the Manger System Operations Water

will review the effectiveness of the management system and the underlying policies. This review will

be undertaken annually and will focus on reviewing of effectiveness and implementation of the

DWMS.

A complete review of the DWMS will take place every four years in line with the review of the

Strategic Business Plan.



Table 27 lists prioritised actions to improve water quality from catchment to tap for the Byron Shire

Council water supply areas. The Manager Systems Operation Water and Wastewater is responsible for

implementing the following improvement action plan.

Table 27 Byron Shire Council Water Quality Improvement Action Plan

Priority Objective Action Required Timeframe /

targets

2013 Review

High Align key Operational

Procedures with

Council SCADA /

database

Update WASP database with the CCP monitoring limits

and corrective actions

2014

Medium In consultation with Rous Water, review sampling

parameters reported to BSC at the inlet to each Reservoir.

Currently free chlorine and pH are the only parameters

reported.

2014

2011

High Reservoirs maintain

the recommended

disinfection levels for

adequate pathogen

removal

Council to expand monitoring regime to include:

Mullumbimby water supply - Left Bank Reservoir

Byron water supply – Tongarra Reservoir at Ocean

Shores

2014

Review and update Drinking Water Quality Monitoring

Plan (#1121196)

Completed

High Water quality

sampling regime is

representative of all

hydraulically

separated zones

Council to include monitoring of reticulated water

quality at a point of supply point along:

Left Bank distribution system

Tongarra distribution system

2014

Review and update Drinking Water Quality Monitoring

Plan (#1121196)

2014

High Protection of source

water in Upper

Wilsons Creek

Catchment

Liaise with CMA on catchment improvement initiatives

e.g. Septic systems; Agricultural practices; Riparian

rehabilitation; Land clearing

Ongoing

Ongoing Increase inspection of Onsite Sewage Management

systems within Upper Wilsons Creek Catchment or close

to weir / race

High Emergency contact for

contamination event

or incident

Visible emergency phone number to report incidences in

the Wilson Creek Catchment e.g. signage, letter/magnet

drop off

2014

Medium Procedures

documented for

Update emergency contact details and protocols

Annually and after any incidents or emergencies

Ongoing

8 Drinking Water Quality Improvement Plan



Priority Objective Action Required Timeframe /

targets

Incidences and

Natural Disasters

Preparation of Business Continuity Plan for BSC Water

and Wastewater Services

2016

Medium Reduce potential for

Blue green algae

outbreak in Laverty’s

Gap weir

Liaise with CMA on catchment improvement initiatives:

Educate landholders on fertiliser use to reduce

phosphorous in catchment

Increase environmental flows in Wilsons River

catchment

Ongoing

Refer #659568 Blue Green Algae Management Protocols

Medium System in place for

failure of weir

Council to develop a response plan if weir fails (Drought

Management Plan)

Completed

Medium Maintain high level

training for WTP

Operators and staff

Document a system to ensure appropriate operator

training and education

Document specific water operator qualification criteria to

ensure consistency in approach

Completed

Medium Endorsement of DWQ

Policy by Council

Council to endorse Draft Drinking Water Quality Policy Completed

Medium Effective community

involvement and

awareness

Update Council Website with information on Drinking

Water Management System

Completed

Medium DWMS reflected in

BSC regulatory and

formal requirements

Review Rous Water Supply Agreement (2008) in line

with BSC revised monitoring regime

Completed

High Operational

monitoring

undertaken in

accordance with the

ADWG (2011)

Review trigger alarms targets for turbidity at the filters in

response to the 2011 ADWG recommendation.

Calculate C.t (free chlorine / contact time)

Completed

Investigate the addition of the following parameters into

the BSC monitoring regime:

Disinfection by-products (THM)

Radionuclides

2014

Medium Ensure all operating

procedures are

documented

Review Operations Manual and Safe Work Method

Statements to identify any procedural gaps that may exist

in current operational practice.

Review and finalise the Water and Sewer Planned

Maintenance Manual (document #692271)

Identify and adopt appropriate specifications for

procurement of materials and services for Water

Treatment Plant operations and engagement of

consultants for water supply

Ongoing

Medium Continual Review and

Audit DWMS

Annual review /audit compliance with Drinking Water

Quality Management Plan

Ongoing

June 2014 HydroScience B827_Byron Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Review_Rev2.doc Page 76

Appendices

June 2014 HydroScience B827_Byron Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Review_Rev2.doc

Reticulated / Town Drinking Water Quality Policy

Appendix 1:

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

POLICY 12/017

RETICULATED/TOWN DRINKING WATER QUALITY

E2013/1621

Policy –Reticulated/Town Drinking Water Quality

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Date Adopted by Council 12/12/2012 Resolution No. 12-805

Policy Responsibility Manager Operations Water

Review Timeframe As required

Last Review Date: Next Scheduled Review Date

Document History

Doc No. Date Amended Details Comments eg Resolution No.

E2012/11334 25/10/2012 Draft Reported to Council

E2013/1621 12/12/2012 Adopted after close of exhibition - No submission received Res 12-805 of 25/10/2012

Further Document Information and Relationships

Related Legislation* Local Government Act 1993

Public Health Act 2010

Water Management Act 2000

Protection of the Environment (Operations) Act 1997

Work, Health and Safety Act 2011

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979

Related Policies Asset Management Policy 07/104

Building over pipelines and other underground structures Policy 4.20

Climate Change Strategic Planning Policy 09/010

Complaints Management Policy 3.22

Filling of Water Tankers from Council Water Mains: Fees and conditions of use Policy 4.21

Inspection, Evaluation and Maintenance of Public Infrastructure Policy 4.24

Lavertys Gap Weir Catchment Management Policy 07/105

Liquid Trade Waste Policy 4.23

Local Approvals Policy (2009) for activities under Section 68 of LGA (1993)

Occupational Health and Safety Policy 3.6

Management of Contaminated Land Policy 5.61

Procurement and Purchasing Policy 2.6

Public Consultation – Proposed Works Policy 4.3

Rainwater Tanks in Urban Areas Policy 5.48

Water Conservation Policy 4.1

Related Procedures/ Protocols, Statements, documents

DM1238463 Byron Shire Council Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Rev 5

Note: Any reference to Legislation will be updated in the Policy as required. See website http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/ for current Acts, Regulations and Environmental Planning Instruments.

http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/


E2013/1621 Page (i)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................ 1

2. POLICY STATEMENT............................................................................................................... 1


E2013/1621 Page (ii)

This Page has been intentionally left blank.


E2013/1621 Page 1 of 1

Policy No. 12/017

POLICY TITLE RETICULATED/TOWN DRINKING WATER QUALITY POLICY 1. OBJECTIVES

Byron Shire Council is committed to managing its water supply catchment, treatment and supply assets to provide safe, high quality drinking water, which consistently meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011), other regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.

2. POLICY STATEMENT

2.1 To achieve this commitment, and in partnership with the community, other stakeholders and relevant agencies, Byron Shire Council will:

a. Manage water quality from catchment to tap: at all points along the delivery

chain, from the source water to the consumer’s tap

b. Adopt a risk-based approach: in which potential threats to water quality are identified and managed in accordance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines to minimise any threat to drinking water quality

c. Integrate the needs and expectations: of our consumers, stakeholders, regulators and employees into our planning

d. Establish effective monitoring programs: systematically monitor the quality of drinking water and ensure effective reporting mechanisms to provide relevant and timely information that promotes confidence in the water supply and its management to consumers

e. Develop Contingency and Incident Response plans: that will be regularly reviewed and updated.

f. Participate in research and development: Maintain awareness of current research and development activities to ensure that Byron Shire Council is up to date with current industry standards.

g. Contribute to setting industry regulations and guidelines: be an active participant in the development of industry regulation and guidelines relevant to health and the broader water cycle.

h. Adopt best practice water quality management: align our water quality systems and processes with the framework’s proactive and multi-barrier approach to best practice water uality management

i. Continually improve our management practices: by assessing performance against industry standards, corporate commitments and stakeholder expectations

j. Continually improve the capability of our staff: by encouraging and supporting participation in training and professional development and ensure all employees are aware of and actively seek to achieve the aims of this policy


E2013/1621 Page 2 of 2

k. Maintain a long term and sustainable water supply: which recognises global and

regional priorities in the management of water

2.2 Byron Shire Council will implement and maintain a drinking water quality management system consistent with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality to effectively manage risks to the drinking water quality.

2.3 All managers and employees involved in the supply of drinking water are responsible for understanding, implementing, maintaining and continuously improving the drinking water quality management system.

2.4 Byron Shire Council will communicate to the public its reticulated/town drinking water quality policy and its implementation.


Drinking Water Quality Risk Assessment

Appendix 2:

July 2014 HydroScience B827 Appendix2_BWMP Risk Assessment REV 2.Doc Page 1

Byron Shire Council

Drinking Water Quality Management Plan

Technical Note 4

Risk Assessment and Critical Limits, Monitoring and Corrective Action HydroScience Consulting

A.B.N. 79 120 716 887

Email: [email protected]

Sydney Office

Level 1, 189 Kent Street

Sydney, NSW, 2000

Telephone: 02 9249 5100

Facsimile: 02 9251 4011

Byron Bay Office

6/64 Centennial Circuit

Byron Bay, NSW, 2481

Telephone: 02 6639 5600

Facsimile: 02 6680 9319



© HydroScience Consulting 2014

This document shall remain the property of HydroScience Consulting.

Unauthorised use of this document in any form is prohibited.

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Approved for Issue

Issue Author Reviewer Name Signature Date

2 JHU MTR Jessica Huxley 22 July 2014


A Risk Assessment Workshop was held at the Byron Bay Integrated Water Management Reserve on 5 September 2011, 11am and 5pm. Workshop participants adopted the risk assessment tables and matrix in line with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004, as shown in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3. Table 4 documents the Risk Assessment for the Mullumbimby and Byron drinking water supplies.

Note that the Byron water supply risk assessment was covered for the Reservoirs and Distribution Systems only – all other aspects of risk assessment is undertaken by Rous Water.

Participants in the workshop are noted below:

Byron Shire Council Peter Rees (Manager Systems Operations Water); Neil Ulrick (Distribution Coordinator), John Rushfoth (Environmental Health Officer)

HydroScience Consulting Joanne Walsh (Regional Manager), Jessica Huxley (Environmental Planner)

North Coast Public Health Geoff Sullivan (Public Health Officer)

Rous Water Belinda Fayle (Dams and Treatment Operations Manager)

Table 1 Likelihood or Probability

Level Descriptor Description Time frame

E Rare May occur in exceptional circumstance Less than once every 10 years

D Unlikely Could occur at some time At least once every five years

C Possible Might occur at some time At least once a year

B Likely Will probably occur in most circumstances At least once per quarter

A Almost Certain Expected to occur in most circumstances At least once per month

1 Risk Assessment


Table 2 Consequence or Severity

Level Descriptor Description Example

1 Insignificant Insignificant impact, little disruption to normal operation, low increase in normal operation costs

Aesthetic e.g.; Colour, pH

2 Minor Minor impact for small population, some manageable operation disruption, some increase in operating costs

Total coliforms, HPC

Identified

3 Moderate Minor impact for large population, significant modification to normal operation but manageable, operation costs increased, increased monitoring

Confirmed E.coli

Boiled Water Notice

4 Major Major impact for small population, systems significantly compromised and abnormal operation if at all, high level of monitoring required

Reported illnesses

Boiled water notice >3days

5 Catastrophic Major impact for large population, complete failure of systems

Unable to supply water of adequate quality or quantity

Table 3 Risk Ranking Matrix

Likelihood or Probability

Consequence or Severity Legend

1. Insignificant

2. Minor

3. Moderate

4. Major

5. Catastrophic

A

Almost certain

Moderate High Very

High Very High

Very High Very High Risk: Senior Management advised. Immediate action taken.

High Risk: Senior Management attention needed.

Moderate Risk: Management responsibility must be specified.

Low Risk: Responsibility to be recorded, actioned when able.

B

Likely

Moderate High High Very High

Very High

C

Possible

Low Moderate

High Very High

Very High

D

Unlikely

Low Low Moderate

High Very High

E

Rare

Low Low Moderate

High High


Table 4 Byron Shire Council Drinking Water Quality Risk Assessment


Hazards (Contaminants)

Maximum Risk with no

Preventative Measures

Control point

Preventative/Treatment Measure

What control measures are currently in place?

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Catchment High flows in Wilsons Creek

Turbidity, pathogens

A 3 VH Raw water intake: NTU >10 alarm NTU >30 - Plant shut down

Automatic alarm alerts WTP operator for further information about catchment Chemical dosing Calibration and maintenance Plant shut down Turbidity >30NTU Heavy Rainfall – top up all Reservoirs prior to plant shut down

D 2 L Catchment monitoring Online monitoring of turbidity Weather Observations /predictions Visual monitoring of rubbish and debris

Onsite Sewage Management system discharges / failures

Pathogens, nutrients (nitrates, nitrites)

A 5 VH Lavertys Gap Weir >1000cfu/100ml

Filtration

Disinfection

Onsite Sewerage Management Policy and Strategy

Installation, design and maintenance standards

LG Act 1993 and Regulations

Coagulation, Sedimentation, Filtration

Disinfection (automatic dosing)

Education

Landcare – Riparian Zone

Council OSMS inspection regime (inadequate)

D 3 M Catchment monitoring

Operational monitoring - Chlorine continuous

Filtration monitoring

Supply monitoring – Faecal coliforms weekly /

DoH supply monitoring E.coli weekly or fortnightly

OSMS program when introduced

Unrestricted livestock

Pathogens , nutrients (nitrates, nitrites), turbidity, colour

A 3 VH Lavertys Gap Weir >1000cfu/100ml

Filtration Disinfection


Disinfection

Education

Landcare – Riparian Zone rehab

D 1 L Catchment monitoring

Laverty Gap Weir (DWMURW) – Faecal coliforms monitored


Supply – Faecal coliforms monitored weekly






Control point



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Chemical spill in catchment

Pesticides, Herbicides, Fertilisers, petrol

E 3 M Fire Brigade spill response BSC Incident and Emergency Management Plans

E 3 M

Farming practices Pesticides, Herbicides, Fertilisers, Nutrients, turbidity, colour

A 3 VH Raw water intake: NTU >10 Filtration Disinfection

Raw water turbidity monitoring Coagulation, Sedimentation, Filtration Education Pesticides Act 1999 Prosecution / compliance

C 2 M Catchment monitoring Point of Supply – monthly monitoring

Land clearing Turbidity, nutrients, colour

B 2 H NTU >10 at raw water intake Filtration

Automatic alarm alerts WTP operator for further information about catchment Coagulation, Sedimentation, Filtration Native Vegetation Act Tree Preservation Order Prosecution / compliance

B 1 M Operational monitoring –continuous

Major bushfire Turbidity, nutrients

E 3 M Raw water intake: NTU >10 Filtration

Automatic Turbidity alarm alerts WTP operator to investigate catchment Coagulation, Sedimentation, Filtration Chemical dosing BSC Incident and Emergency Management Plans

E 2 L Raw water intake monitoring Operational monitoring – turbidity continuous Communication network with local Fire Brigade

Increased population development and density

All pollutants B 2 H LG Planning Controls Compliance – prosecutions

C 1 L Catchment monitoring

Low river flows Reduced water supply

E 5 H Measured inflow to weir <5ML/day (30 day average) 280 mm depth measured at V Notch Weir

Implementation of Level 1 Water Restrictions for Mullumbimby – Drought Management Plan activated Alternate water supply (Rous Water)

E 2 L Depth measured monthly at WC8, with increased frequency to daily when depth measured falls below 380mm






Control point



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Natural Disasters All pollutants Loss of supply

E 5 H BSC Incident and Emergency Management Plans Plant Shut down

E 3 M Weather observations / predictions

Weir

Blue green algae outbreak

Taste , odour, cyanotoxins, endotoxins, & Liposaccarides

E 4 H Cyanobacteria

> 500 cells /ml Critical levels – boiled water alert

Education

Maintaining environmental flows

Alternate water supply (Rous Water) – although major $

E 4 H Catchment monitoring – nutrients monthly

Visual Inspections of Coarse screen

Monthly testing: June – Oct

Weekly testing: Nov - May

Swimming and primary contact

Pathogens B 1 M Filtration

Disinfection

Education / Signage

Surveillance


Disinfection

D 1 L Raw water monitoring

Failure of weir (loss of storage capacity)

Physical damage from water flow

Loss of water supply

E 5 H Inspections of weir

Alternate water supply (Rous Water) E 5 H Periodic inspections of weir

Dam not considered a high risk dam

Weir Level low (inflow into the weir is less than water taken out through the race)

Reduced water supply / drought

E 2 L Weir level:

< 160 mm below the weir

Implementation of Level 1 Water Restrictions for Mullumbimby – Drought Management Plan activated

Alternate water supply (Rous Water)

E 1 L Monthly inspections increased to daily inspections once critical limit is reached






Control point



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Race

Negligent contamination

Herbicide E 2 L Operator training E 1 L Visual monitoring

Deliberate contamination

Chemical, Fertilisers, Herbicides, Pesticides etc

E 4 H BSC Incident and Emergency Management Plans

Visual inspection by operator

E 3 M Visual monitoring

Coarse screen failure / blockage

Debris E 1 L Visual inspection

Weekly cleaning

E 1 L Weekly cleaning

Overland stormwater flow / runoff

Turbidity, Colour, Pathogens, Fertilisers, Herbicides, Pesticides.

A 3 VH NTU >10 at raw water intake

Automatic alarm alerts WTP operator for further information about catchment

Chemical dosing

Calibration and maintenance

Plant shut down Turbidity >30NTU

D 2 L Online monitoring of turbidity

Event monitoring – high rainfall

Build-up of sediment and slimes

A 3 VH Removal of scum around entry to race


E 1 L Visual monitoring

6 monthly cleaning schedule

Failure of Race (80 years old)

D 3 M Switch to pump mode D 2 L Visual monitoring – weekly (min)

Bats (microbats live in covered part of race)

Pathogens A 3 VH Inlet to plant

Filtration

Disinfection


Disinfection

D 1 L Laverty Gap Weir (DWMURW) – Faecal coliforms monitored


Supply weekly – Faecal coliforms






Control point



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Treatment systems

Incorrect dosing rates of alum

Turbidity C 2 M Raw water intake: >10 NTU Filter: >1 NTU

Continuous monitoring Jar Test if high turbidity Drop tests Alum adjustments Plan Maintenance Schedule Operator training

D 1 L Raw water intake continuous monitoring Operational monitoring –continuous

Incorrect dosing rates of soda ash

Ineffective flocculation

C 2 M Dosed water pH: 6 - 7

pH sampling D 1 L Operational monitoring –continuous

Filters 1 and 2 Ineffective pollutant removal

Pathogen, metals, colour, turbidity

C 4 VH Filters monitoring Turbidity > 1NTU pH 6 - 7 Backwashes >3/d

Backwash cycling (monitor number of backwashes) Filter maintenance (monitor filter effluent turbidity) Automatic plant shut down on high turbidity Coagulant dosing

D 1 L Finished water monitoring If backwashing more than twice/day – check system for blockage

Chlorine Gas dose failure causing overdosing

Elevated Chlorine / illness

E 2 L Post Dose Point > 3mg/L

Chlorine testing pH adjustment Automatic alarm and plant shutdown

E 1 L Operational monitoring - continuous Supply monitoring weekly – free chlorine

Chlorine Gas dose failure causing ineffective disinfection

Pathogens C 3 H Post Dose Point - 0.8 - 1.2 mg/L pH 7 - 8

Chlorine testing pH adjustment Automatic dosing Automatic alarm and plant shutdown

D 1 L Operational monitoring - continuous Weekly Supply – chlorine monitored

Disposal of backwash supernatant

B 2 H >50 NTU Supernatant tested daily – Turbidity Alternate discharge to sludge waste tanks Planned maintenance Schedule

D 1 L Supernatant tested daily






Control point



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Chemical shortages

E 4 H Supply contract with Reputable suppliers Chemical storage onsite alarmed for low level Alternative supply available at STP Well stocked supply

E 1 L Alum and soda supplies monitored on SCADA

Materials used (pipe work, chemicals, linings of valves, pumps, oils)

D 3 M Procurement practices and procedures E 1 L Councils process monitoring (rec- test monitoring from suppliers – each batch)

Power failure C Plant Automatically down Generator available

E

Reservoirs

Sabotage / Vandalism at reservoir

Chemical contamination

E 5 H Covered reservoirs

Secured access


E 2 L Weekly sampling at reservoir

Annual maintenance

Faecal contamination (access by birds, rats)

Pathogens B 3 H 0 cfu/100 ml Covered reservoirs


Secured access

Process monitoring

NSW Health Microbial Response

D 1 L Reservoir monitoring - Weekly

Supply monitoring - Weekly

Inadequate maintenance of chlorine residuals

Pathogens C 3 H Free chlorine 0.1 – 1.5 mg/L

Total chlorine 0.5 – 5 mg/L

Reservoir monitoring (chlorine in and out)

Chlorine Dosing

NSW Health Microbial Response

Manage reservoir levels

Manage dose levels seasonally

D 2 L Reservoir monitoring - Weekly

Supply monitoring - Weekly






Control point



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Distribution systems

Main and service breaks

Pathogens, metals

A 2 H Mains Replacement Program (includes services) Maintenance Response and Procedures (flushed with chlorinated water)

E 2 L

Back flow Pathogens, chemicals

D 4 H Procedures – withdrawal of water from main Integrated dual check valves in water meters Connections as per Australian Standards – Plumbing Code Risk rate connections Register of testable backflow devices

D 2 L

Cross connections (trunk mains)

Pathogens, chemicals

C 4 VH Planned Maintenance Schedule Construction inspections Standard specifications (north coast councils)

D 2 L Annual maintenance

Maintenance of water quality (Biofilms, sludge, scaling, scouring)

Pathogens, metals

A 3 VH Planned Maintenance Schedule Hydrant, scour valve maintenance Air scouring program Mains flushed Maintenance of residual chlorine

D 2 L Air scouring program (5 yearly) Flush mains (6 monthly)

Unauthorised / authorised access to hydrants

Pathogens, turbidity, colour

A 3 VH Authorised – specified hydrant for water withdrawal Unauthorised - Prosecution

C 2 M

New installations – mains extensions

All pollutants A 3 VH Standard specifications – Design and Construction of Water and Sewer Infrastructure DA approval process

E 2 L Council inspections

Byron Shire Council – Drinking Water Management Plan


Figure 1 Critical Control Point Decision Tree Source: ADWG 2004


NSW Office of Water: Circular LWU 18 Assuring the Safety of drinking water supplies

Appendix 3:

Level 18, 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney| GPO Box 3889 Sydney NSW 2001 t (02) 8281 7777 | f (02) 8281 7799 | www.water.nsw.gov.au

WS14/109 Circular No. LWU 18 Date 4 June 2014 Contact Bill Ho Phone 8281 7326 Fax 8281 7351 E-mail [email protected]

Assuring the safety of drinking water supplies

This Circular has been prepared to advise NSW local water utilities (LWUs) of an important new protocol for assuring the safety of all drinking water supplies in regional NSW. The protocol is robust and cost-effective and must be implemented by all LWUs providing a drinking water supply.

Protocol Following its review of a number of recent boil water alerts1 in regional NSW, the NSW Office of Water, in consultation with NSW Health and the NSW Water Directorate, has developed the new protocol, which is set out in Attachment 2 – Appendix E of the 2012-13 NSW Water Supply and Sewerage Benchmarking Report (www.water.nsw.gov.au). Appendix E documents the minimum requirements for ensuring each potable water supply is safe from microbial contamination. Under this protocol, each LWU will need to ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOP) for its water supply systems meet these requirements in order to achieve the following three key barriers:

Barrier 1 – Effective disinfection to kill, inactivate or remove pathogens in the water supply prior to distribution. Barrier 2 – Ensure distribution system integrity to prevent contamination.

Barrier 3 – Maintain free chlorine residual in the water in the distribution system to help protect against minor contamination and as an indicator of a potential breach in distribution system integrity.

Together, these 3 barriers operate to assure the safety of each water supply and to prevent microbial contamination.

The Public Health Act (2010) requires each LWU to develop and implement a risk based Drinking Water Management System in accordance with the NSW Guidelines for Drinking Water Management Systems, NSW Health and NSW Office of Water, 2013. Activities related to disinfection and distribution system integrity should be clearly defined in each water utility’s Drinking Water Management System, in accordance with the above Appendix E.

1 Attachment 1 is a copy of page 10 of the 2012-13 NSW Water Supply and Sewerage Benchmarking

Report which provides examples of recent failures of integrity of water supply distribution systems.


http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/

2012-13 NSW Benchmarking Report ATTACHMENT 1 4. Best-practice management

10 | NSW Office of Water, April 2014

Examples of Failure of Integrity of Distribution Systems Photo 1 (right) shows the hatch of a 20m high service reservoir, which has inadvertently been left open for a few weeks. The result was repeat detections of E. coli in the reticulated water supply and the need to issue a boil water alert.

Photos 2 and 3 below are underwater photos in the above service reservoir showing evidence of contamination by birds – bird eggs (left) and dead birds (right).

Photo 4 (below left) is a service reservoir where the mesh openings are too large and the roof design is deficient, allowing the entry of small birds, rainwater and windblown material to contaminate the stored water. The reservoir roof needs to be modified so that roof runoff and windblown material cannot contaminate the stored water. Photo 5 (below right) shows mesh openings that are also too large, allowing entry of vermin, such as wasps and windblown material.

The continued detection of E. coli in reticulated water supplies and boil water alerts in the last 2 years have highlighted the need for a strategic approach for assuring the integrity of the distribution system to prevent contamination of a water supply that has been effectively disinfected. The recommended approach in Appendix E on page 277 was developed by the NSW Office of Water and NSW Health in consultation with the NSW Water Directorate and LWUs to provide a robust basis for assuring the safety of a water supply. As noted in the box on page 9, each LWU needs to review its present standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure they address the minimum requirements in Appendix E for achieving safe water supplies:

Barrier 1 – Effective disinfection to kill, inactivate or remove pathogens in the water supply prior to distribution.

Barrier 2 – Ensure distribution system integrity to prevent contamination.

Barrier 3 – Maintain free chlorine residual in the water in the distribution system where practicable, to help protect against minor contamination and as an indicator of a potential breach in distribution system integrity.

2012-13 NSW Benchmarking Report ATTACHMENT 2 Appendix E


Appendix E: Effective disinfection of a potable water supply and assuring integrity of the distribution system to prevent contamination of the supply

E1 Overview This appendix highlights the key requirements for ensuring the effective disinfection1 and assuring the safety of a potable water supply. Each NSW Local Water Utility (LWU) needs to ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOP) for its water supply systems meet these minimum requirements, in order to achieve the following three key barriers:

Barrier 1 – Effective disinfection to kill, inactivate or remove pathogens in the water supply prior to distribution.

Barrier 2 – Ensure distribution system integrity to prevent contamination.

Barrier 3 – Maintain free chlorine residual in the water in the distribution system to help protect against minor contamination and as an indicator of a potential breach in distribution system integrity.

Guiding principle 1 of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (below1) highlights the risks to consumers from pathogenic organisms and the paramount importance of protecting water sources and water treatment.

For free chlorine disinfection, Figure 1 on page 283 shows how the above 3 barriers work together to provide a safe water supply.

In addition, as indicated in the 2012-13 NSW Water Supply and Sewerage Benchmarking Report (page 9) each utility needs to develop and implement a risk based Drinking Water Management System in accordance with the NSW Guidelines for Drinking Water Management Systems, NSW Health and NSW Office of Water, 2013. These systems should include reference to sound standard operating procedures (SOP) in accordance with this Appendix and are required from 1 September 2014 under the Public Health Act 2010. Activities related to disinfection and distribution system integrity need to be clearly defined in each water utility’s Drinking Water Management System (DWMS).

The NSW Guidelines for Drinking Water Management Systems is based on the Framework for the Management of Drinking Water Quality outlined in the 2011 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) to assure the safety and quality of the water supplied to the consumers.

Effective disinfection of the source water and ensuring the integrity of the distribution system with or without a residual disinfectant are separate barriers (ADWG and above).

Effective disinfection of a water supply is essential to kill, inactivate or remove any pathogens in the water supply prior to distribution (Barrier 1 above). This could be achieved through a number of disinfection systems. Disinfection is a critical control point and must be appropriately monitored (ADWG).

1 Guiding principles 1 to 6 in Chapter 1 of the 2011 ADWG are listed below to provide an overall context to this Appendix:

• The greatest risks to consumers of drinking water are pathogenic microorganisms. Protection of water sources and treatment are of paramount importance and must never be compromised.

• The drinking water system must have, and continuously maintain, robust multiple barriers appropriate to the level of potential contamination facing the raw water supply.

• Any sudden or extreme change in water quality, flow or environmental conditions (e.g. extreme rainfall or flooding) should arouse suspicion that drinking water might become contaminated.

• System operators must be able to respond quickly and effectively to adverse monitoring signals. • System operators must maintain a personal sense of responsibility and dedication to providing consumers with safe water,

and should never ignore a consumer complaint about water quality. • Ensuring drinking water safety and quality requires the application of a considered risk management approach.

2012-13 NSW Benchmarking Report Appendix E


Preventing ingress of contaminants at vulnerable points within the distribution system is a key system integrity barrier (Barrier 2). Service reservoir integrity is a critical control point for water supply that has been effectively disinfected and should be appropriately monitored (section E3).

Maintaining a disinfectant2 residual throughout the distribution system (Barrier 3) helps protect the reticulated water against minor contamination, and is an indicator of a potential breach in distribution system integrity.

Sound operational monitoring and verification monitoring3 programs are needed to assure that the minimum requirements in sections E2, E3 and E4 below for these three barriers4 are met. The monitoring frequency for each water supply system is dependent on its key characteristics identified through analysis and should be reviewed as part of a comprehensive risk assessment. The guidance in sections E2, E3 and E4 provides the minimum requirements for each barrier for inclusion in each LWU’s standard operating procedures (SOP) for its water supply systems. Following risk assessment for its systems, a LWU should include additional requirements in its SOP where warranted.

E2 Barrier 1 – Effective Disinfection Disinfection is the single process that has had the greatest impact on drinking water safety. In Australia the common disinfection systems used include chlorination, chloramination, ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and ozonation. The advantages and disadvantages for each of these systems are discussed in detail in ADWG.

When chlorination is used, a water supply is effectively disinfected when the required C.t values have been achieved (ADWG 2013, page 186). However, the C.t values used in the design of chlorine disinfection systems in Australia are generally higher than those required for effective disinfection (ADWG and WHO general recommendation is 0.5 mg/L of free chlorine residual after 30 minutes). The C.t values can be achieved by adjusting the chlorine dose or the contact time to provide a minimum C.t value of 15 mg/L/minute. The LWU should check and document the contact times for its systems for setting appropriate chlorine doses to achieve the required C.t values.

To achieve effective disinfection of a water supply with free chlorine, monitoring of the following parameters prior to the distribution of the water should be included in your LWU’s SOP, as some variations in these parameters could affect disinfection efficiency and/or effectiveness:

• Maintain appropriate levels of free chlorine residual above 0.5 mg/L5 prior to the first consumer for the available6 contact time to provide a C.t value greater than 15 mg/L/minute.

• pH, temperature7 and turbidity.

2 Refer to page 186 of ADWG (Version 2.0, December 2013), under ‘managing water supplies with no disinfection residual’. 3 Each LWU’s drinking water monitoring program testing for E. coli (i.e. sampling location, frequency and number of samples tested)

needs, as a minimum, to be in accordance with the NSW Health requirements. These requirements are consistent with ADWG and the number of annual samples allocated for each LWU is shown in Appendix D1, 2012-13 NSW Water Supply and Sewerage Benchmarking Report. Appendix D1 shows that the required number of samples has been collected and tested for almost all LWUs. Each water utility should assess its monitoring requirements to determine whether additional monitoring above this minimum is needed.

4 For very small communities, typically serving a population of about 30, with a high quality source water such as groundwater from a confined aquifer, it may be cost-effective for the LWU to complete the actions outlined in section E3 on page 279 at 4-monthly intervals, rather than consistently maintaining a positive free chlorine residual disinfectant as long as the regular E. coli tests results continue to comply with ADWG. Refer also to the 4th paragraph of section E4 on page 281.

5 Part IV Information Sheet 1.3, Disinfection with Chlorine, ADWG. 6 If the source water does not contain pathogens (e.g., a good quality groundwater from a confined aquifer), no chlorine contact time is

required. 7 Efficiency of chlorine disinfection increases with increasing temperature. Monitoring of temperature is warranted for water of

temperature < 10o C.



• For a filtered supply, keep turbidity as low as practicable as defined in the filtration critical control point (generally <1 NTU8 is desirable for effective disinfection). Turbidity higher than 1 NTU is acceptable for unfiltered systems where the source water is free from faecal contamination or where the effectiveness of chlorination has been validated9.

• Keep pH <8.510

Disinfection is a critical control point and must be adequately monitored, preferably continuously, to ensure effective disinfection (refer section E1). For free chlorine disinfection, in addition to an appropriate operational monitoring program, the minimum requirements to be included in the SOP are as follows:

1. For a filtered water supply, check that turbidity of the water being disinfected remains below the critical limits for the system. Take appropriate corrective actions if the critical limits are exceeded.

2. Check the chlorine demand of the water supply being chlorinated as the raw water quality changes and adjust the chlorine dose rate accordingly to achieve effective disinfection.

3. Check the pH of water to be disinfected where a pH correction facility has been provided.

4. Confirm correct functioning of each chlorination plant.

5. Verify that the required chlorine dose rate has been added to the water supply11.

6. Provide continuous monitoring and/or daily testing of free chlorine residual at representative sampling points after the appropriate chlorine contact time.

For other types12 of disinfection systems appropriate SOPs need to be developed to ensure effective disinfection.

E3 Barrier 2 - Distribution System Integrity Once a water supply is effectively disinfected (Barrier 1), enteric pathogens should not reappear within the distribution system unless there is a failure of the integrity of the distribution system (ADWG 2013, page 186). Maintaining the integrity of the distribution system (Barrier 2) is therefore the most important barrier to prevent contamination of a disinfected water supply. To verify and maintain integrity of all its distribution systems, each LWU must carry out the following actions as a matter of priority within the next 12 months. Thereafter, repeat these actions at frequencies appropriate for each system but no less than every four (4) years.

a. Carry out a careful and detailed examination13 of each service reservoir to ensure: 8 Table 10.5, ADWG. 9 Implementation of the requirements of this Appendix and monitoring test results which consistently find no E. coli in a water supply

would validate the safety of the supply. 10 For efficient disinfection pH should be as low as possible, but this needs to be tempered by the need for corrosion control. In most

cases a pH of 7.8 to 8.2 is desirable. 11 Check to ensure the storage tanks or cylinders have adequate chlorine. For sodium hypochlorite dosing plants complete a drop test to

verify the accuracy of the chlorinator dosing rate as in some instances the released oxygen could interfere with the actual dosage rate. Also check the concentration of the sodium hypochlorite solution in the storage tank and adjust the dosage rate to allow for any loss of chlorine strength.

12 Refer to Part IV Information Sheets 1.4 to 1.8 of ADWG. 13 Note that the careful and detailed examination of each service reservoir in steps (1) to (5) on page 280 should be carried out in

addition to the routine inspections identified in LWU Drinking Water Management Systems. The process described here is a detailed examination of each reservoir to detect and rectify any breaches of reservoir integrity that may not be identified during routine inspections.

It is essential all service reservoirs are designed and constructed to prevent ingress of contaminants. Additionally, for each service reservoir, a careful examination of the reservoir roof, wall and mesh is essential in order to detect any breaches to the reservoir’s

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(1) the reservoir and its roof are secured from entry by birds, animals, vermin and windborne contaminants;

(2) rainwater cannot enter into the reservoir (i.e., no leaking roof or holes in the reservoir wall or gaps around the openings on the roof);

(3) roof is adequately drained especially near the openings and landings. The roof should extend beyond the reservoir wall;

(4) all inspection hatches are closed and locked at all times; and

(5) the reservoir site and roof are secured from unauthorised14 access.

Where reservoir cleaning has been a routine activity for a water utility, reports from past cleaning episodes should be reviewed to find any reservoir integrity problems that have been identified but not corrected. Recent reports from experienced reservoir cleaners may satisfy the requirement for a detailed examination.

Any deficiency in the roof or mesh design needs to be rectified by the LWU following such examination.

b. Check the air valves and ensure they are functioning in accordance with the manufacturer’s standard operating procedures.

c. Check any testable backflow prevention devices15 and ensure they are operating in accordance with the manufacturer’s standard operating procedures, tested in accordance with AS3500 and there is no cross contamination.

d. Check and ensure all potable water connections with a risk of cross contamination such as connections to sewerage facilities (pumping station, treatment works, etc.), livestock watering and other non-drinking uses are provided with appropriate backflow prevention devices and are regularly tested in accordance with AS3500.

e. Check and ensure all potable water connections to top up alternative water systems such as rainwater tanks/automatic switching device on premises are provided with backflow prevention devices (refer to Circular LWU 17) and are operating in accordance with the manufacturer’s standard operating procedures, tested in accordance with AS3500 and there is no cross contamination.

f. Review the reservoir maintenance standard operating procedures to ensure they are sound and fit for purpose14, 16.

g. Review the standard operating procedures for repair and re-instatement of distribution system infrastructure that comes into contact with potable water such as mains and reservoirs to ensure the procedures are sound and fit for purpose16. Thoroughly clean and super-chlorinate before use, all new and repaired distribution system infrastructure, such as mains and reservoirs, that is in contact with potable water.

h. Undertake all remedial works to assure system integrity as a matter of priority.

integrity. In most cases the breach of reservoir integrity has been found to be not visible from ground level and required use of mobile lifting equipment in order to detect the breach.

A confirmed detection of E. coli in a microbiological test sample should trigger a careful review by the LWU of whether the requirements of section E3 above have been met.

14 Where access to third parties (e.g., telephone companies, SES, NSW Police, etc.,) has been given to install equipment, appropriate written reinstatement and communication protocols need to established between the LWU and each third party to ensure the reservoir integrity is not compromised. The LWU must conduct regular audits to ensure the protocols are being effectively implemented. Similar protocols should also be effected between the LWU and any service providers authorised by the LWU to access its service reservoir. A financial penalty should be imposed for any failures to comply with the protocol as these may breach the distribution system integrity and result in contamination of the supply and the need for a boil water alert. A model ‘service reservoir integrity protocol’ will be prepared by the NSW Office of Water to assist LWUs.

15 Annual testing of any testable backflow devices such as a Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) device or a double check valve assembly is required in accordance with section 4.4.6 of AS3500. Such testing does not generally apply for a household rainwater tank, where a standard air gap is generally used for backflow prevention (section 4.4.6 of AS3500).

16 As noted in section E2 on page 278, ensure your LWU’s standard operating procedures including contracts with service providers include super chlorination and effective disinfection of any new and repaired or replaced water mains and other distribution system infrastructure that is in contact with potable water before the infrastructure is commissioned or the water service is reinstated.



A LWU should maintain records (including photos) of all distribution system examinations and inspections undertaken, the results obtained, any deficiencies identified, and the rectification works implemented.

E4 Barrier 3 – Maintain a Free Chlorine Residual in the Water in the Distribution System

A residual disinfectant such as chlorine is maintained in the water within the distribution system to help protect against minor contamination due to a breach in the distribution system integrity. Where there is a significant risk of Naegleria fowleri and water temperature exceeds 30oC, a free chlorine residual of 0.5 mg/L or higher will control N. fowleri, provided the disinfectant residual persists throughout the distribution system (ADWG ‘Disinfection with Chlorine’ Information Sheet, page 191). Monitoring of free chlorine residual of the water in a distribution system on at least a weekly basis provides one of the key indications of the proper operation of the chlorination system, of system integrity, and provides data to help the utility to carry out timely corrective action. More frequent monitoring will provide more information to make better and timely decisions on changes to chlorine dosage required to protect public health. On-site testing of free and total chlorine residual (and if possible pH and turbidity) should be carried out and recorded each time a microbiological sample is collected for testing by the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program. The ADWG suggests that:

• a minimum free chlorine residual of about 0.2 mg/L17 be maintained in the water throughout the distribution system. Re-chlorination may be necessary to achieve this chlorine residual in very extensive water supply distribution systems with long detention times.

• a sudden large drop in free chlorine residual in water in the distribution system may be an indicator of an increase in the chlorine demand of the water, a major breach in distribution system integrity, or a fault in the chlorination system,

When it is difficult to maintain the desired target free chlorine residual level of ≥ 0.2 mg/L at the extremities of your system, your LWU should using a trial and error process, increase the free chlorine concentration at the dosing points. Increased chlorine concentration can lead to community complaints about taste and odour. Advice can be given to community members about storing water in clean vessels before use so that the chlorine taste dissipates. Increased chlorine concentrations in systems that have routinely experienced low concentrations may lead to marked biofilm sloughing, leading to dirty water complaints. These problems should not last for long, especially if adequate chlorine concentrations are maintained and some flushing is carried out.

Once the desired free chlorine residual of the dosed water has been achieved and if the free chlorine residual at the extremities of the distribution system continues to consistently remain below 0.2 mg/L but not less than 0.05 mg/L with E. coli test results showing 100% compliance3, then the LWU should undertake the actions outlined in section E3 on an annual18 basis.

If however, the free chlorine residual level is consistently below 0.05 mg/L at the extremities of the distribution system, with E. coli test results showing 100% compliance3,19 and the LWU can demonstrate the continuous integrity of the water supply distribution system, the LWU should then undertake the actions outlined in section E3 on a four monthly18 basis and should also complete the following:

1. inspect and flush as needed the extremities of the system to remove ‘stagnant’ water.

17 Example in Table A1.10 on page A-20, ADWG. Such a chlorine residual can normally be achieved for the vast majority of consumers

supplied by a water supply distribution system. However, as noted in the 2nd paragraph of section E4 above, it may be difficult to maintain such a residual at the extremities of a distribution system.

18 The first action in section E3 [action ‘a. (1)’ on page 280] may be undertaken from ground level using a telescope, binoculars, etc. 19 If the microbiological test samples regularly fail for E. coli then the LWU must investigate the reasons for the failures and consider

maintaining a free chlorine residual of about 0.2 mg/L on a consistent basis. This could be achieved by one of many options such as early warning control/communication systems, secondary chlorination plants, sub-system cleaning including air scouring/swabbing of the pipeline, super chlorination, etc. It is expected the preferred option would be chosen on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis.



2. opportunistically install pipe loops to any existing dead-end mains (i.e. as part of your LWU’s repair and/or renewal work).

The measures in the 2 preceding paragraphs are warranted in order to minimise capital and operating expenditure, while assuring safety of the water supply.

E5 Develop a Verification Monitoring Program Water Utilities should comply with the sampling frequency and sample site advice set out in the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Documents/october-2011-dwmp-booklet.pdf The verification monitoring program developed by a LWU for each distribution system should include the following:

• Parameters to be monitored (e.g. disinfectant residual, pH and turbidity)20.

• Sampling frequency.

• Sampling locations including system extremities21.

• Sampling methods and equipment.

• Schedules for sampling.

• Methods for quality assurance and validation of sampling results.

• Requirements for checking and interpreting results.

• Responsibilities and necessary training22 of staff including induction of contractors.

• Requirements for documentation and management of records, including how monitoring results will be recorded and stored.

• Requirements for reporting and communication of results.

E6 Field Tests • Test kits for measuring chlorine residual, pH and turbidity are available.

• Chlorine residual, pH and turbidity measurements need to be done in the field.

• Ensure the operators have a thorough understanding of the field test kits, especially the range they can measure, detection limits, error and interference tolerances.

If you wish to discuss any aspects covered in this Appendix, please contact the Manager Water and Sewerage, NSW Office of Water on telephone: (02) 8281 7326 or email: [email protected].

20 All filtered water supplies should meet the filtration critical control point target for the supply (generally <1 NTU is desirable for

effective disinfection). 21 Each LWU’s sampling locations for monitoring microbiological water quality for reporting in the NSW Water Quality Database would

be suitable for this purpose. 22 LWU water treatment operators need to have appropriate skills and qualifications in accordance with page 23 of the NSW Guidelines

for Drinking Water Systems, 2013. Refer also to page 35 of the 2012-13 NSW Water Supply and Sewerage Benchmarking Report (www.water.nsw.gov.au) in regard to National Certification of Water Treatment Operators.

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Documents/october-2011-dwmp-booklet.pdf

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Documents/october-2011-dwmp-booklet.pdf




Figure 1 – Effective disinfection1 of a potable water supply and assuring integrity of the distribution

system to prevent contamination of the supply

Barrier 3 – Distribution System Chlorine Residual

Barrier 2 - Distribution System Integrity

Free Chlorine Residual Testing

Is Free Chlorine level at extremities

of distribution system ≥0.2 mg/L?


of distribution system consistently

<0.2 mg/L and≥0.05 mg/L?


of distribution system consistently

<0.05 mg/L?

Complete a comprehensive+++

examination & review of distribution system integrity (section E3 on page 279)

Integrity Good?

Complete an Annual examination & review of

distribution system integrity (Section E4+ on page 281)

Complete a 4-monthlyexamination & review of

distribution system integrity (Section E4+ page 281)

Integrity Good?

Integrity Good?

Safe Drinking Water

No

Yes

Investigate and rectify Distribution

System Breach

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Barrier 1 – Effective Disinfection of Source Water

Target Disinfection Residual and C.t Achieved? Rectify Issue

No

Yes

100% E. coliCompliance++

Achieved?

No

Yes

(

Yes

(No (

+++ The first comprehensive examination and review of water supply system integrity should be completed within 12 months in

order to assure system integrity. ++ The 100% E. coli compliance requirement refers to test results where any failures in distribution system integrity have been

detected and rectified by the LWU. + The actions in the 3rd and 4th paragraphs of section E4 on page 281 should be undertaken by the LWU over the next 12 months

or 4 months respectively in order to assure continuing distribution system integrity. These actions are only applicable for the extremities of a distribution system where the free chlorine residual is consistently below 0.2 mg/L.

1 Figure 1 is on the basis of disinfection with free chlorine.

ATTACHMENT 3

SUMMARY REPORT1 ON ASSURING INTEGRITY & SAFETY OF WATER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

LWU - Date - Contact Officer - Phone -

Email -

• Water Supply Distribution System -

• Detailed examination of service reservoirs :

• Date completed -

• Key Deficiencies Identified -

• Rectification Works Completed -

• Addressed all the requirements of Circular LWU 18? Y/N Date -

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) updated to address the requirements of Circular LWU18? Y/N Date -

1 This summary report has been prepared in response to NSW Office of Water Circular LWU18 of 4 June 2014 and

is to be retained in your LWU’s records.

The first Summary Report prepared by a LWU for each of its water supply distribution systems is to emailed to: [email protected]


Monitoring Plan

Appendix 4:

July 2014 HydroScience B827_BSC_Appendix4_DWQMP_Rev3.Doc 1

DRINKING WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLAN

POINT REF DOCUMENTS PARAMETERS TRIGGER LEVELS FREQUENCY ACTIONS / DECISIONS RESPONSIBILITY

WC1 to WC7 #673411 Lavertys Gap Weir Catchment Management Plan

#811264 Test Program Initiation

#794419 Wilsons Ck Monitoring Plan Proposal

E Coli

Total N

Total P

Turbidity

Total Fe

Total Mn

Colour

pH

Temp

Monthly

Testing at these points to be undertaken monthly with additional testing after significant rainfall events.

The data to be analysed annually to identify trends in the catchment.

All data entered into the WASP data system

Location: Wilsons River Catchment

Manager System Operations Water

WC8 #673411 Lavertys Gap Weir Catchment Management Plan



#388717 Drought Response Plan

E Coli

Total N

Total P

Turbidity

Total Fe

Total Mn

Colour

pH

Temp

Monthly

Testing at these points to be undertaken monthly with additional testing after significant rainfall events.

The data to be analysed annually to identify trends in the catchment.

All data entered into the WASP data system

Location: Wilsons River Catchment


Turbidity > 10 NTU Event Operator will check Turbidity at this location if a high turbidity alarm is received at the WTP and operator requires further information of what is happening in the catchment.

Water Operators

Flow Rate 30 day average measured inflow to the

Weir < 5 ML/day

(280 mm depth measured at the V Notch

Weir)

Event This initiates the implementation of Level 1 Water Restrictions for Mullumbimby. The Water Operator will measure this depth routinely at least once per month with frequency increasing gradually to daily when the depth measured falls below 380 mm. Once Level 1 Water Restrictions triggered, the requirements of the Drought Management Plan are implemented.

Data entered into WASP.

Water Operators to record data

Manager System Operations Water to implement Drought Response Plan



MUWTP09 Coarse Screen Lavertys Gap Weir

#673411 Lavertys Gap Weir Catchment Management Plan



#659568 Blue Green Algae Management Protocols

#419581 Dam Emergency Action Plan Lavertys Gap Weir

#770424 & 497987 Lavertys Gap Weir Low Level Pump Emergency Installation

#1127667 NSW Health Crypto & Giardia Response Protocol

Edition 7.3 Incident Mgt Protocol

Cynobacteria > 500 cells/mL Monthly June – Oct

Weekly Nov – May

Refer to page 45 of document #659568. If at critical levels a Boil Water alert may be required. Refer #1127667.


Weir Level

Temperature

Depth

< 116.0 Daily This is 160mm below the weir and indicates that inflow to weir is less than the water being taken out through the race. Potential drought watch. Weir inspections to be increased gradually up to daily. Inspection to check water level in weir; build up of scum around entry to race. Observations are to be recorded in the WASP diary system.

Water Operators

DWMURW Operating Manual;


Alkalinity

Colour

Faecal Col

Fe

Hardness

Mn

pH

TDS

Total Coliforms

Turbidity

< 12; > 200 mg/L

> 45 PtCo Units

> 1000 cfu/100 mL

> 1 mg/L

> 20 mg/L

> 0.2 mg/L

< 6; > 7.5

> 100 mg/L

> 15000 cfu/100 mL

> 15 NTU

Weekly All data entered into the WASP data system Coordinator Reticulation and Treatment Systems

pH

Turbidity

< 6; > 7.5

> 15 NTU

Daily All data entered into the WASP data system.

Refer MUWTP04 below.

Water Operator

MUWTP04 Inlet to Plant

Operating Manual;


Daily Flow

Flowrate

Operating Hours

pH

Rainfall

Raw Water Inflow

Turbidity


pH and Turbidity are monitored to calculate dosing rates for alum and soda ash. Refer operations manual and operator training notes. General principles are Jar testing is done to confirm alum dose; soda ash dosing is done to get water pH at a suitable level for effective flocculation. Generally below 15 NTU turbidity is stable water. Above 15 NTU, jar testing must be undertaken to determine optimum dose rate.

Water Operator



MUWTP07 (Pre Dose Point)

Operating Manual;


Alum Pre Dose Rate mg/L

Soda Ash Dose Rate mg/L


Dosing rates are as determined from Jar testing.

Water Operator

MUWTP04.1 Clarified Water

Operating Manual;


Turbidity

pH

< 6; > 7


This is a minor feedback loop for the alum and soda ash dosing. Settings may be twigged to fine tune dosing.

Water Operator

MUWTP04.2 Clarified Water

Operating Manual;


Turbidity

pH

< 6; > 7


This is a minor feedback loop for the alum and soda ash dosing. Settings may be twigged to fine tune dosing.

MUWTP05 Filtered Water

(Filter 1)

Operating Manual;


Daily Flow

Number of Backwashes

pH

Turbidity

> 3

< 6; > 7

> 1 NTU


If pH outside range, may need to adjust alum and/or soda ash dosing.

If turbidity > 1 mg/L; may need to initiate a filter backwash and/or jar test inflow and check/adjust chemical dosing.

If filters are backwashing more than twice daily there may be a blockage in control system. Check operating manual.

Water Operator

MUWTP06 Filtered Water

(Filter 2)

Operating Manual;


Daily Flow

Number of Backwashes

pH

Turbidity

> 3

< 6; < 7

> 1 NTU


If pH outside range, may need to adjust alum and/or soda ash dosing.

If turbidity > 1 mg/L; may need to initiate a filter backwash and/or jar test inflow and check/adjust chemical dosing.

If filters are backwashing more than twice daily there may be a blockage in control system. Check operating manual.

Water Operator

MUWTP08 (Post Dose Point)

Operating Manual;


Chlorine Gas Dose

Soda Ash Dose

Daily All data entered into the WASP data system Water Operator

BY01100 (Finished Water)

Operating Manual

#1127480 NSW Health Microbial Response Protocol

#1127668 NSW Health Physical and

Aluminium

Alkalinity

Colour

> 0.2

<15; > 200

> 15

Weekly All data entered into the WASP data system.

If a faecal or total coliform count is recorded the NSW Health Microbial Response Protocol must be followed.

If there is a treatment plant failure and/or disinfection

Coordinator Reticulation and Treatment Systems



Chemical Response Protocol


Faecal Coliforms

Iron

Free Chlorine

Hardness

Manganese

pH

TDS

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

Turbidity

Daily Flow

> 0

> 0.3

< 0.3; > 3

> 200

> 0.1

< 6.5; > 8.5

> 500

< 0.5; > 3

> 0

> 1

failure, the NSW Health Microbial Response Protocol and/or the NSW Health Physical and Chemical Response Protocol must be followed.

Al

Free Chlorine

Total Chlorine

Turbidity

pH

> 0.2

< 0.3; > 3

< 0.5; > 3

> 1

< 6.5; > 8.5

Daily Al – jar test; adjust alum to remove Al residual

Chlorine – adjust chlorine gas dosage

Turbidity – Jar test and check/adjust alum dose and/or backwash filters

pH – adjust post soda ash dose rate

If there is a treatment plant failure and/or disinfection failure, the NSW Health Microbial Response Protocol and/or the NSW Health Physical and Chemical Response Protocol must be followed

Water Operator

BY01400 Mullum Azalea St Reservoir Outlet


#1127668 NSW Health Physical and Chemical Response Protocol


FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0





Left Bank Reservoir Outlet




Al

FC

Fe

Free Chlorine

Mn

pH

Total Chlorine

> 0.2

> 0

> 0.2

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 0.2

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 5





BY01200 Mullum

#1127480 NSW Health Microbial Al > 0.2 Weekly All data entered into the WASP data system. Coordinator Reticulation and



McGougans Lane

Response Protocol



Alk

FC

Fe

Free Chlorine

Hardness

HPC 20

HPC 35

Mn

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

> 0.3

< 0.1; > 1.5

> 200

> 100

> 100

> 0.1

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0


If there is a treatment plant failure and/or disinfection failure, the NSW Health Microbial Response Protocol and/or the NSW Health Physical and Chemical Response Protocol must be followed.

Treatment Systems

Granuaille St Reservoir Inlet


#769411 Rous Water Service Level Agreement

Free Chlorine

pH

< 0.5; > 1.5

< 7; > 8

Weekly Data supplied by Rous Water and entered into WASP.

If parameters are outside limits, Rous Water to be advised and corrective action requested. If there is a treatment plant failure and/or disinfection failure, the NSW Health Microbial Response Protocol and/or the NSW Health Physical and Chemical Response Protocol must be followed.

Rous Water

BY02110 Granuaille St Reservoir Outlet




FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0





BY02100 Market St Bangalow Primary School




Al

Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

HPC 20

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0.2

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

-

> 100

> 100

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0







Coopers Shoot Reservoir Inlet



Free Chlorine

pH

< 0.5; > 1.5

< 7; > 8



Rous Water

BY02210 Coopers Shoot Reservoir Outlet




FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0





BY02300 Suffolk Park Beech Drive




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

HPC 20

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

-

> 100

> 100

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0





BY02800 Broken Head Beach Rd




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0

Monthly All data entered into the WASP data system.




Paterson St Reservoir Inlet



Free Chlorine

pH

< 0.5; > 1.5

< 7; > 8



Rous Water



BY02280 Paterson St Reservoir Outlet




FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0





BY02200 Byron Bay Middleton Street Sample Tap




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

HPC 20

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

-

> 100

> 100

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0





Wategos Reservoir Inlet



Free Chlorine

pH

< 0.5; > 1.5

< 7; > 8



Rous Water

BY02420 Wategos Reservoir Outlet




FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0





BY02400 Watego Marine Pde SPS Tap




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

HPC 20

HPC 35

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

> 100

> 100







pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0

Saddle Rd Reservoir Inlet



Free Chlorine

pH

< 0.5; > 1.5

< 7; > 8



Rous Water

BY02510 Saddle Rd Reservoir Outlet




FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0





BY02500 Brunswick Heads Tweed St Pilgrim Park




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

HPC 20

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

-

> 100

> 100

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0





BY02610 Warrambool Rd Reservoir Outlet




FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0





BY02660 Tongarra Rd Reservoir Inlet/Outlet


#1127668 NSW Health Physical and

FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100






Chemical Response Protocol


pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0


Yamble Drive Reservoir Inlet



Free Chlorine

pH

< 0.5; > 1.5

< 7; > 8



Rous Water

BY02680 Yamble Drive Reservoir Outlet




FC

Free Chlorine

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

> 0

< 0.5; > 1.5

> 100

< 7; > 8.5

< 0.5; > 3

> 0





BY02600 Ocean Shores Jarrah Cres




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

-

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0





BY02620 New Brighton Sports Oval Byron St Sample Point




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

HPC 20

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

-

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0

Weekly All data entered into the WASP data system All data entered into the WASP data system.






BY02630 South Golden Beach Jack Lane Sample Point




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

-

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0

Weekly All data entered into the WASP data system All data entered into the WASP data system.




BY02700 Billinudgel Fire Station Wilfred St




Alk

FC

Free Chlorine

Hardness

HPC 35

pH

Total Chlorine

Total Coliforms

< 30; > 200

> 0

< 0.1; > 1.5

-

> 100

< 7; > 8

< 0.5; > 5

> 0

Monthly All data entered into the WASP data system.


