FAQs
Chlorine is added to drinking water to destroy disease-causing micro-organisms. The objective of the chlorination process is to meet water quality guidelines set by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
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HWC is responsible for maintaining the system between the water meter and water main, ie the street side of the meter. The property owner is responsible for maintaining the system between the meter and the premises to which the water is supplied. Read more.
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When water is agitated, the chlorine gas comes out of the solution, causing a distinctive odour.
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Because the distribution system is so long, the system must be dosed to a high level upstream in the distribution system, so that further down in the system there are adequate levels of chlorine. We dose chlorine at a maximum level of 1.5 milligrams per litre, which is well below the health guideline of 5 milligrams per litre set by the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines.
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Chlorine will dissipate over time, and this process is accelerated by exposure to UV light. By keeping a jug of water on the kitchen bench, or in the fridge for a period of time, the chlorine taste can be eliminated.
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Water supplied by HWC meets standards set by the National Health & Medical Research Council for drinking water. Water filters can be expensive to run, and if the cartridge is not changed frequently enough, bacteria can build up. Allowing the water to stand is a more cost-effective way to improve the taste of the water. Water filter systems that use activated carbon are effective provided that the filter is changed at the recommended frequency. A simple jug system with an activated carbon filter will work just as well as a more expensive system.
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Chlorine itself in drinking water, at concentrations below the health guidelines, is harmless to health. However chlorine can react with organics in some water supply systems to form trihalomethanes, which may be harmful. In the water supplied by Hunter Water, however, the levels of Trihalomethanes are well below the National Health and Medical Research Council guideline values.
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No. Ozonisation may be used as a primary form of disinfection, but chlorine must still be used in addition, to provide a residual protection against disease-causing organisms.
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Alum is used at our water treatment plants to remove sediment from drinking water. It is used in almost all NSW country towns and by all other major Australian water authorities. It is also used extensively overseas. The level of aluminium in our drinking water is usually less after treatment than the natural level in the untreated (raw) water.
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A catchment is the area of land that drains into a body of water such as a lake, river or dam. Water flowing through a catchment is affected by the surfaces and substances with which it comes into contact. Catchments can be changed by human activity including land clearing, farming, urban development and industry. Keeping catchments clean is an essential first step in maintaining water quality.
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A kilolitre is a unit of measurement of volume. One kilolitre (kL)is the same as 1,000 litres.
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A megalitre is a unit of measurement of volume. One megalitre (ML) = 1,000,000 litres.
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Only 1-2% of your aluminium intake each day is from your drinking water and your body absorbs less than 0.5% of this amount. So drinking water is not a significant source of aluminium intake. Hunter Water takes water quality extremely seriously and ensures that your drinking water complies with National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines in regard to aluminium and all other criteria.
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If you live within Hunter Water’s area of operations, your water comes from Chichester Dam, Grahamstown Dam, the Tomago Sandbeds or Anna Bay Sandbeds
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Yes. Hunter Water adds fluoride to drinking water because it helps prevent tooth decay. It is especially effective in protecting children's teeth while they are forming. It also helps reduce dental decay in adult teeth.
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A fluoride solution is added to the water supply, well upstream of consumers' taps. This allows mixing and even distribution of fluoride in the water before consumption. We monitor the water daily to ensure the correct levels of fluoride in the water supplied to consumers.
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An organic compound known as Geosmin can sometimes cause an earthy or muddy taste and odour in drinking water. It can have this effect when present in very trace quantities in the order of 10 nanograms per litre (ng/L), although most people will not become aware of it until levels reach 20-30 ng/L. Hunter Water routinely monitors the levels of Geosmin and another compound, MIB, which can also produce an earthy or muddy taste. Taste testing is done daily and laboratory testing weekly. Laboratory testing frequency may be increased to twice weekly at times when taste and odour are detected. Routine monitoring over the last few years has indicated that these compounds are routinely present in the water but generally at levels that cannot be detected. Water containing Geosmin is safe to drink – it is not a threat to health however, as with other compounds that are monitored, Hunter Water maintains routine contact with the Department of Health.
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Hunter Water has three main sources of water, so we can blend or switch water sources if taste or odour reach an unacceptable level. Alternatively, we can implement advanced treatment by the use of powder activated carbon in order to remove Geosmin if levels continue to increase.
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The cause of blue water is not completely clear. Research has found that corrosion can occur in various types of copper pipes that are old and new. Blue water does appear to be more common in pipes which have been left still for a long time or that are not regularly used.
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Copper water pipes are occasionally affected by copper corrosion. If water is left to stand in a pipe that is affected by copper corrosion, the concentration of copper in the water can increase to levels that cause staining or a metallic taste. This is called “blue water”. While rare, it can have health and aesthetic impacts. In contrast, copper pipe pitting is more common but has economic rather than health effects.
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Trace amounts of copper in the diet are essential for good health. The typical daily adult requirement of copper is 2mg to 3mg. Most people will get the required amount through their diet, with drinking water making up a small amount of this.The health related guideline of 2mg of copper per litre of water is based on a healthy person being able to drink the water everyday over a lifetime with no ill effects.
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The health related guideline of 2mg of copper per litre of water is based on a healthy person being able to drink the water everyday over a lifetime with no ill effects. The recommended guideline value for copper in drinking water is contained in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines published by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Hunter Water has to meet these guidelines under its Operating Licence conditions and the performance against this licence is independently audited annually. In addition, Hunter Water publishes the results of all its water quality monitoring each month as part of its Open Board meeting
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The National Health & Medical Research Council Drinking Water Guidelines Fact Sheet on Copper indicates that the health implications associated with drinking water can arise at levels of 3 mg/L. Importantly, the Fact Sheet also indicates that the taste threshold for copper is 3 mg/L. What this means is that, at the level at which health impacts may occur, the consumer would most likely be able to notice something wrong with the water – particularly taste, and probably colour. Common sense rules therefore apply – if it looks or tastes funny – don’t drink it.
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Numerous scientific studies have recognised fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure. It has been shown to improve the dental health of the community. The acceptable range of concentration of fluoride in our water is based on National Health & Medical Research Council guidelines. The concentration of fluoride in our water is about 1.0 milligrams per litre. Fluoride in drinking water in Australia is supported by the Australian Dental Association, the Australian Medical Association and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
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