Improved water treatment for San Remo and Phillip Island

Customers in San Remo and Phillip Island will start receiving 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 the entire supply from February 13 2012.
During the water disinfection process, a very small amount of ammonia is added just before the chlorine. This process is called Chloramination and offers longer lasting disinfection than chlorine only, while lessening the taste and odour of chlorine in the water.
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.
“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 other parts of the Westernport Water region was determined because of the favourable customer response received from the 2009/10 trials where it was shown to be effective in reducing taste and odour complaints.”
“The aim of improving our disinfection process is to address water quality concerns that have been raised by our customers. According to our customer satisfaction survey, over a quarter of the responses indicated that they would like a reduced amount of chlorine taste and odour in the water; our chloramination program will greatly help in this.”
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.
Westernport Water’s drinking water is sourced from Candowie Reservoir in the Bass Hills near Glen Forbes, the reservoir is surrounded by farmland and chemical treatment is the only sure way of making drinking water safe.
Mr Jackson said Chloramination should 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. “because of the small quantities involved, Chloramination is administered with very sensitive equipment. We have high end technology but because Chloramination is long lasting, there is a very small chance of different tastes and odours during the transition.
“We will endeavour to prevent this but would ask customer patience if this happens.”
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. Wsternport Water will inform all customers, in writing, of the planned changes to the water treatment process.
People on dialysis machines currently filter their water and this must continue. Owners of aquarium fish must remove chloramines in the water before the water is used. Local pet stores and vets have a range of treatments like carbon filters and water conditioning agents that make water safe for fish.
For additional information please visit our ‘Water quality’ section or contact our Water Quality Officer Dean Chambers on 1300 720 711.