FAQs

pH is a measure ranging from zero to 14 of how acidic or basic water is. A pH of seven is neutral. The aesthetic pH target from the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

is between 6.5 and 8.5. The maximum recording of pH in 2016-17 by Busselton Water was 8.5.

Like iron, manganese is a naturally occurring mineral which comes from contact with soil or rock in the ground. Manganese is not considered a health concern unless the concentration exceeds 0.5mg/L. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines recommend that, based on aesthetic considerations, manganese should not exceed 0.1mg/L. In 2016-17, Busselton Water recorded a maximum of 0.006mg/L of manganese in the water delivered to customers.

Iron occurs naturally in water as a result of contact with soil or rock in the ground. Though the presence of iron does not present a health hazard, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines recommend that, based on aesthetic considerations, the concentration of iron should not exceed 0.3 mg/L. In 2016-17, Busselton Water recorded a maximum of 0.096 mg/L in the water delivered to our customers.

Colour in water originates mainly from natural drainage through soil and vegetation in a surface catchment. Human perception of colour varies depending on the quantity

of water. Consequently the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines’ value for colour is based on what is noticeable in a glass of water and is generally accepted as 15HU (Hazen Units). The raw water we extract is 6HU, which reduces to zero (or totally clear) once treated.

Turbidity is the cloudy appearance of water caused by  the presence of suspended matter. If present at high levels, turbidity can provide an environment which shields pathogens from disinfection. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines specify an aesthetic guideline of

5NTU (Nephelometric turbidity units) or, if disinfection is undertaken, less than 1NTU. In 2016-17, Busselton Water recorded a maximum of 0.6 NTU for its water samples.

The key areas that are monitored and tested are microorganism, chemical and radiation levels that are harmful to health. In addition, aesthetic characteristics that influence perceptions of taste are tested. These include alkalinity, aluminium, ammonia, calcium, chloride, colour, total dissolved solids, iron, magnesium, acidity, salinity, silica, sodium, sulphate, turbidity and zinc.

As part of our routine operations, Busselton Water systematically monitors and reports on our water quality performance, with water samples taken each and every week. In fact, each year more than 3,500 water quality samples are taken.

The Department of Health regulates the quality of  drinking water in Western Australia in accordance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines published by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia’s public health policy peak organisation. These guidelines are designed to provide an authoritative reference on what defines safe, good quality water, how it can be achieved and how it can be assured.

Absolutely. Busselton Water achieves 100 per cent compliance with all health-related water quality criteria in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which is endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Raw groundwater can contain trace contaminants at levels above the drinking water guideline limits. Treatment lowers the level of contaminants to safe levels, while disinfection prevents waterborne pathogens occurring in the water supply at any point from the treatment plant to our customers’ water meters. A pathogen is a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.