Improved water treatment for San Remo and Phillip Island
Customers in San Remo and Phillip Island will soon receive water treated with an improved treatment process designed to reduce chlorine taste and odour in the drinking water. Westernport Water is looking to begin the transition to the new treatment process across its entire supply in the coming months.
The process is called Chloramination has been used for more than 70 years in Australia and follows successful trials by Westernport Water in the areas of Corinella, Archies Creek, Dalyston, Kilcunda, Coronet Bay and Tenby Point.
During the water treatment process, a very small amount of ammonia is added just before the chlorine, hence the name Chloramination. Chloramination offers longer lasting treatment than chlorine only, lessening the taste and odour of chlorine in the water.
“Westernport Water has worked hard to secure the region’s water supply and is keen to further enhance the drinking water we deliver to all areas,” said Murray Jackson Managing Director.
“The extension of the Chloramination program to the remainder of the Westernport Water region was favoured because of the positive customer response received from the 2009/10 trials where it was shown to be effective in reducing taste and odour.”
“The aim of improving our disinfection process is to address water quality concerns that have been raised by our customers. According to our 2011 customer satisfaction survey, over a quarter of the responses indicated that they would like a reduced amount of chlorine in the water; our chloramination program will greatly help in this.”
Initial survey results from the trial areas of Corinella Kilcunda and Dalyston revealed almost 70 per cent of customers indicated that their water quality had improved since the introduction of the Chloramination process. “The water tastes better, smells better and even looks better… that’s what our customers reported back to us,” he said.
Mr Jackson said, “Chloramination will not make the water look any different, but it should improve the taste and smell, initially there might be some taste variations during the rollout of the new process.”
People with kidney ailments and other medical conditions can safely drink the water. It is also safe to use on all garden plants, including fruit and vegetables.
Westernport Water will inform all customers in writing of the planned changes to the water treatment process.
People on dialysis machines and owners of pond or aquarium fish will be provided with additional information and instructions.
For additional information please visit our ‘Chloramination’ section or contact our Water Quality Officer Dean Chambers on 1300 720 711.