News
More scrutiny for Candowie water inflows
Water flowing into Candowie Reservoir will now come under greater scrutiny as Westernport Water widens its range of raw water checks.
Water flowing into the Tennent Creek and Bass River from neighbouring farmland will be checked for micro-organisms before it gets treated for human consumption.Water quality officer Dean Chambers said: “Two specific tests, for giardia and cryptosporidium, are linked to livestock effluent – particularly from young cattle. Calving season has almost finished and we have timed these new tests to monitor raw water quality off farms.
“We have already instituted regular testing for herbicides and pesticides. Now we will be also testing for naturally occurring radiation – some types of rocks emit local levels of radioactivity – and we will include those measurements in our monitoring.
“All our initial tests have shown none of these factors exceed recognised safety standards, but we will continue our tests every month for 12 months.”
Dean said the water corporation will test raw water quality after major rainfall events, and will also check water pumped from the Bass River and nearby bore fields before it is introduced into Candowie Reservoir.
Acting Managing Director Keith Gregory sad: “We are now tracing water quality to source.
“The water supplied to our customers has always been treated to recognised health standards, but now we are taking quality one step forwards … by going backwards up the supply chain.”
The move to broaden the range of raw water testing follows an independent, state-wide audit of water quality risks and testing procedures, organised by the Department of Human Services.
“The tests we undertook following the Westernport Water audit gave our water the all-clear,” Mr Gregory said.
“We are seeking to maintain that good record.” Westernport Water will continue working in co-operation with local landholders, Landcare and Melbourne Water to protect and enhance riverside systems in the corporation’s distribution area, he added.