DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN Progress Report Number 2

Date: July 2014 Document Number: A461950

MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Management Plan

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Version and Document Control Revision Number 1 2

Revision Description Draft 1 Final Document

Prepared / Revised by Lisa Andersons Lisa Andersons

Approved by

Revision Date

Anna Kaliska General Manager and Executive Team

July 2014 July 2014

Annual Review and Revision Record Revision Number

Prepared / Revised by

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Description / Sections Revised

Revision Date

Approved by

Approval Date

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1

2.

COMMITMENT TO DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT (Element 1) ................................ 5 2.1 Strategic Planning ......................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.1 MidCoast Water Strategic Business Plan ............................................................................... 5 2.2 MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Policy............................................................................ 8 2.3 Regulatory and Formal Requirements .......................................................................................... 9 2.4 Engaging Stakeholders ................................................................................................................ 13

3.

SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................... 15 3.1 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines......................................................................................... 15 3.2 Roles and Responsibilities ........................................................................................................... 16 3.3 MidCoast Water Drinking Water Supplies .................................................................................. 18

4.

ASSESSMENT OF THE MANNING DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 2) ..................... 21 4.1 General Description and History ................................................................................................. 21 4.1.1 Manning River Catchment Management............................................................................. 23 4.1.2 Barnard Catchment Management ....................................................................................... 25 4.1.3 Mining Activities in the Manning River Catchment ............................................................. 27 4.1.4 Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sharing Plan ...................................... 28 4.2 Manning Water Supply System Analysis ..................................................................................... 28 4.2.1 Raw Water Quality ............................................................................................................... 30 4.2.2 Bootawa Water Treatment Plant Process Description ........................................................ 30 4.2.3 Northern Manning District Distribution System .................................................................. 33

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4.2.4 Southern Manning District Distribution System .................................................................. 36 4.2.5 Manning Water Supply Pumping Systems ........................................................................... 38 4.2.6 Reservoirs in the Manning System....................................................................................... 39 4.2.7 Water Demands ................................................................................................................... 41 4.2.8 Nabiac Water Treatment Plant ............................................................................................ 42 4.3 Assessment of Water Quality Data ............................................................................................. 42 4.4 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment ................................................................................ 43 4.4.1 Intended Use and Consumer of Water ................................................................................ 45 4.4.2 Manning Flow Diagram ........................................................................................................ 47 4.4.3 Risk Assessment Methodology ............................................................................................ 50 4.4.4 Risk Assessment Outcomes.................................................................................................. 53 5. PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN THE MANNING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 3) ................................................................................................... 59 5.1 Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers ............................................................................... 59 5.2 Critical Control Points ................................................................................................................. 59 6. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESS CONTROL FOR THE MANNING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 4) ............................................................................................................................. 61 6.1 Operational Plans and Procedures.............................................................................................. 61 6.1.1 Work Method Statements and Risk Management Procedures ........................................... 62 6.2 Operational Water Quality Monitoring Program........................................................................ 63 6.3 Corrective Actions ....................................................................................................................... 67 6.4 Equipment Capability and Maintenance..................................................................................... 67 6.5 Materials and Chemicals ............................................................................................................. 68

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7. VERIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY FOR THE MANNING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 5)............................................................................................................................................ 71 7.1 Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program ............................................................................. 71 7.1.1 NSW Aboriginal Water & Sewerage Program ...................................................................... 74 7.2 Customer Complaints Management System .............................................................................. 75 7.3 Short-term Evaluation of Water Quality Results ........................................................................ 76 7.4 Corrective Action ........................................................................................................................ 77 7.4.1 Microbiological Non-compliances........................................................................................ 77 7.4.2 Physical and Chemical Non-compliances ............................................................................. 79 8.

ASSESSMENT OF THE BULAHDELAH DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 2) ................ 81 8.1 General Description and History ................................................................................................. 81 8.1.1 Crawford Catchment Management ..................................................................................... 82 8.1.2 Pesticides Project ................................................................................................................. 85 8.2 Bulahdelah Water Supply System Analysis ................................................................................. 85 8.2.1 Raw water quality ................................................................................................................ 86 8.2.2 Process Description .............................................................................................................. 86 8.2.3 Reservoirs and Distribution System ..................................................................................... 88 8.2.4 Recent Water Treatment Plant Upgrade ............................................................................. 90 8.2.5 Water Demands ................................................................................................................... 91 8.3 Assessment of Drinking Water Quality Data............................................................................... 92 8.4 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment ................................................................................ 92 8.4.1 Bulahdelah Flow Diagram .................................................................................................... 95

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8.4.2 Risk Assessment Outcomes.................................................................................................. 97 9. PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN BULAHDELAH WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 3) ................................................................................................... 99 9.1 Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers ............................................................................... 99 9.2 Critical Control Points ................................................................................................................. 99 10. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESS CONTROL FOR BULAHDELAH WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 4) ........................................................................................................................... 101 10.1 Operational Plans and Procedures ......................................................................................... 101 10.2 Operational Water Quality Monitoring .................................................................................. 101 10.3 Corrective Actions ................................................................................................................... 104 10.4 Materials and Chemicals ......................................................................................................... 105 11. VERIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY FOR BULAHDELAH WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 5).......................................................................................................................................... 107 11.1 Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program ......................................................................... 107 11.2 Customer Complaints.............................................................................................................. 108 11.3 Corrective Action .................................................................................................................... 109 12. ASSESSMENT OF THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR STROUD WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 2).......................................................................................................................................... 111 12.1 General Description and History ............................................................................................. 111 12.1.1 Karuah River Catchment .................................................................................................. 112 12.1.2. Mining Activities in the Karuah River Catchment ........................................................... 113 12.1.3. Karuah River Water Sharing Plan .................................................................................... 113 12.2 Stroud Water Supply System Analysis .................................................................................... 115 12.2.1 Raw Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 115

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12.2.2 Process Description .......................................................................................................... 115 12.2.3 Reservoirs and Distribution System ................................................................................. 117 12.2.4 Water Demands ............................................................................................................... 120 12.3 Assessment of Water Quality Data for Stroud Supply ............................................................ 121 12.4 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment ............................................................................ 121 12.4.1 Stroud Flow Diagram........................................................................................................ 124 12.4.2 Risk Assessment Outcomes.............................................................................................. 126 13. PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN STROUD WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 3) .............................................................................................................. 127 13.1 Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers ........................................................................... 127 13.2 Critical Control Points ............................................................................................................. 127 14. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESS CONTROL FOR STROUD WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 4).......................................................................................................................................... 129 14.1 Operational Plans and Procedures ......................................................................................... 129 14.2 Operational Water Quality Monitoring .................................................................................. 129 14.3 Corrective Action .................................................................................................................... 132 14.4 Materials and Chemicals ......................................................................................................... 133 15. VERIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY FOR STROUD WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 5) 135 15.1 Drinking Water Quality Monitoring ........................................................................................ 135 15.2 Customer Complaints.............................................................................................................. 136 15.3 Corrective Actions ................................................................................................................... 137 16. ASSESSMENT OF THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR TEA GARDENS WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 2) ........................................................................................................................... 139

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16.1 General Description and History ............................................................................................. 139 16.1.1 Viney Creek Aquifer Catchment ....................................................................................... 139 16.2 Tea Gardens Water Supply System Analysis ........................................................................... 140 16.2.1 Raw Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 141 16.2.2 Process Description .......................................................................................................... 141 16.2.3 Reservoirs and Distribution System ................................................................................. 144 16.2.4 Recent Water Treatment Plant Upgrade ......................................................................... 147 16.2.5 Water Demands ............................................................................................................... 148 16.3 Assessment of Water Quality Data for Tea Gardens Water Supply Scheme .......................... 148 16.4 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment ............................................................................ 149 16.4.1 Tea Gardens Flow Diagram .............................................................................................. 151 16.4.2 Risk Assessment Outcomes.............................................................................................. 153 17. PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN TEA GARDENS WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 3) ................................................................................................. 155 17.1 Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers ........................................................................... 155 17.2 Critical Control Points ............................................................................................................. 155 18. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESS CONTROL FOR TEA GARDENS WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 4) ........................................................................................................................... 157 18.1 Operational Plans & Procedures ............................................................................................. 157 18.2 Operational Water Quality Monitoring .................................................................................. 157 18.3 Corrective Action .................................................................................................................... 160 18.4 Materials and Chemicals ......................................................................................................... 160

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19. VERIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY IN TEA GARDENS WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 5).......................................................................................................................................... 163 19.1 Drinking Water Quality Monitoring ........................................................................................ 163 19.2 Customer Complaints.............................................................................................................. 164 19.3 Corrective Actions ................................................................................................................... 165 20. ASSESSMENT OF THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR GLOUCESTER WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 2) ........................................................................................................................... 167 20.1 General Description and History ............................................................................................. 167 20.1.1 Barrington River Catchment Area .................................................................................... 168 20.1.2 Barrington River Catchment Management ...................................................................... 170 20.2 Gloucester Water Supply System Analysis.............................................................................. 171 20.2.1 Raw Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 171 20.2.2 Gloucester Water Treatment Plant Process Description ................................................. 171 20.2.3 Gloucester Reservoirs and Distribution System .............................................................. 173 20.2.4 Water Demands ............................................................................................................... 179 20.3 Assessment of Water Quality Data for Gloucester Water Supply Scheme ............................ 180 20.4 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment ............................................................................ 180 20.4.1 Gloucester Flow Diagram ................................................................................................. 182 20.4.2 Risk Assessment Outcomes.............................................................................................. 184 21. PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN GLOUCESTER WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 3) ................................................................................................. 191 21.1 Preventive Measures and Multiple Barriers ........................................................................... 191 21.2 Critical Control Points ............................................................................................................. 191

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22. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESS CONTROL FOR GLOUCESTER WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 4) ........................................................................................................................... 193 22.1

Operational Plans and Procedures...................................................................................... 193

22.2 Operational Water Quality Monitoring .................................................................................. 193 22.3 Corrective Action .................................................................................................................... 196 22.4 Materials and Chemicals ......................................................................................................... 197 23. VERIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY FOR GLOUCESTER WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (Element 5).......................................................................................................................................... 199 23.1 Drinking Water Quality Monitoring ........................................................................................ 199 23.2 Customer Complaints.............................................................................................................. 200 23.3 Corrective Action .................................................................................................................... 201 24. MANAGEMENT OF INCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES (Element 6)................................................ 203 24.1 Communicating During Incidents and Emergencies ............................................................... 203 24.2 Incident and Emergency Response Protocols ......................................................................... 204 25. EMPLOYEE AWARENESS AND TRAINING (Element 7) ................................................................. 207 25.1 Employee Awareness .............................................................................................................. 207 25.2 Employee Training .................................................................................................................. 208 26. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND AWARENESS (Element 8)..................................................... 211 26.1 Community Consultation ........................................................................................................ 211 26.1.1 Customer Surveys ............................................................................................................ 212 26.1.2 Customer Focus Groups ................................................................................................... 212 26.2 Communication ....................................................................................................................... 213 26.3 Community and Customer Education ..................................................................................... 213

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27. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (Element 9) .............................................................................. 217 27.1 Investigative Studies and Research......................................................................................... 217 27.1.1 Manning River Water Quality Study ................................................................................ 217 27.1.2 Catchment Investigations ................................................................................................ 217 27.1.3 Pesticides Project ............................................................................................................. 218 27.1.4 Cryptosporidium and Giardia Investigations ................................................................... 218 27.1.5 Water Recycling Research................................................................................................ 219 27.1.6 Accessing and Input into Water Industry Research ......................................................... 219 27.2 Validation of Processes ........................................................................................................... 221 27.3 Design of Equipment ............................................................................................................... 221 28. DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING (Element 10)..................................................................... 223 28.1 Management of Documentation and Records ....................................................................... 223 28.1.1 Objective Document Management System ..................................................................... 223 28.1.2 Other Document Management Systems ......................................................................... 225 28.2 Reporting Procedures ............................................................................................................. 227 28.2.1 Internal Performance Reporting ...................................................................................... 227 28.2.2 External Reporting Requirements.................................................................................... 228 29. EVALUATION AND AUDIT (Element 11) ...................................................................................... 229 29.1 Long Term Evaluation of Results............................................................................................. 229 29.2 Audit of the Drinking Water Management System ................................................................ 229 30. REVIEW AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT (Element 12) ........................................................... 233 30.1 Review by Executive Management team................................................................................ 233

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30.2 Drinking Water Quality Management Improvement Plan ...................................................... 234 31. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................ 239 32. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................. 241

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LIST OF APPENDICES 1. Memorandum of Understanding between NSW Health and MidCoast Water 2. Working With Our Catchment: Manning River Catchment Management Program 3. Bootawa Dam Noxious Weeds Management Program 4. Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment Workshop Participants - Manning WSS 2009 5. Manning WSS Hazard Analysis & Risk Assessment – updated 2013 6. Critical Control Points for Manning Water Supply System – updated 2014 7. MidCoast Water Bootawa Dam Cyanobacterial Monitoring and Management Plan 8. NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program 2005 (Updated October 2011) 9. NSW Office of Water Aboriginal Water and Sewerage Management Plan a. Purfleet Management Plan b. Tobwabba (Cabarita) Management Plan 10. Drinking Water Incident Reporting Template 11. MidCoast Water Boil Water Advice Template 12. Fluoride Form 5 Interruption to Dosing - MASTER 13. NSW Code of Practice for Fluoridation of Drinking Water Supplies – Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 14. MidCoast Water Pesticides Project Final Report 15. Bulahdelah WSS Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment 16. Critical Control Points for Bulahdelah Water Supply System 17. Stroud WSS Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment 18. Critical Control Points for Stroud Water Supply System 19. Tea Gardens WSS Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment 20. Critical Control Points for Tea Gardens Water Supply System 21. Gloucester WSS Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment 22. Critical Control Points for Gloucester Water Supply System

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LIST OF TABLES Table 1: MidCoast Water staff and roles involved in the implementation of the DWQMP Table 2: Pump stations in the Manning water supply scheme Table 3: Reservoirs in the Manning water supply scheme Table 4: Manning hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop participants2012 Table 5: Qualitative measures of likelihood Table 6: Qualitative measures of consequence Table 7: Qualitative risk analysis matrix – Level of risk Table 8: Risk assessment outcomes – Manning water supply Table 9: Operational monitoring at Bootawa WTP Table 10: Chemicals stored at Bootawa WTP Table 11: Bulahdelah reservoirs Table 12: Bulahdelah raw water pump station Table 13: Bulahdelah hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop participants 2013 Table 14: Risk assessment outcomes – Bulahdelah water supply Table 15: Operational monitoring at Bulahdelah WTP Table 16: Chemicals stored at Bulahdelah WTP Table 17: Karuah water sharing plan extraction limits Table 18: Stroud water supply reservoirs Table 19: Pump stations in Stroud water supply scheme Table 20: Stroud hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop participants Table 21: Operational monitoring at Stroud WTP Table 22: Chemicals stored at Stroud WTP Table 23: Tea Gardens water supply reservoirs Table 24: Tea Gardens high lift pump stations Table 25: Tea Gardens hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop participants Table 26: Operational monitoring at Tea Gardens WTP Table 27: Chemicals stored at Tea Gardens WTP Table 28: Gloucester water supply reservoirs Table 29: Gloucester water supply system pump stations Table 30: Gloucester hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop participants Table 31: Risk assessment outcomes – Gloucester water supply Table 32: Operational monitoring at Gloucester WTP

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Table 33: Chemicals stored at Gloucester WTP Table 34: Customer Survey Results Table 35: MidCoast Water information systems relating to drinking water management Table 36: Drinking water quality management plan audit schedule Table 37: Drinking water quality management improvement plan

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LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: ADWG 2011 Drinking water quality management framework Figure 2: Service quality and continuity Figure 3: MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Policy Figure 4: MidCoast Water regulators Figure 5: MidCoast Water stakeholders Figure 6: MidCoast Water’s service area Figure 7: Manning water supply distribution system Figure 8: Manning River catchment map Figure 9: Offtake site on Manning River Figure 10: Manning River near Mt George Figure 11: Off river watering on ‘Glen Almond’ Figure 12: Fencing on ‘Glen Almond’ Figure 13: Before concrete causeway installation Figure 14: After concrete causeway installation Figure 15: Bootawa Dam Figure 16: Bootawa Dam tower Figure 17: Overview of previous and current treatment system and management components of the Manning supply scheme Figure 18: Bootawa WTP and laboratory Figure 19: Old treatment building in foreground Figure 20: Manning water supply northern distribution system Figure 21: Manning water supply southern distribution system Figure 22: Manning water consumption 2004 - 2014 Figure 23: Manning water supply flow diagram Figure 24: Water quality complaints in the Manning water supply 2004 - 2013 Figure 25: Great Lakes catchment map Figure 26: Weir pool near off take Figure 27: Crawford catchment signage Figure 28: Bulahdelah water treatment plant Figure 29: Bulahdelah WTP sludge lagoons Figure 30: Bulahdelah water supply distribution system Figure 31: Bulahdelah reservoirs 1 and 2

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Figure 32: Bulahdelah WTP clarifier Figure 33: Bulahdelah water consumption 2004 - 2014 Figure 34: Bulahdelah water supply flow diagram Figure 35: Water quality complaints in Bulahdelah water supply 2004 - 2013 Figure 36: Karuah River catchment map Figure 37: Downstream of Karuah River weir pool Figure 38: Upstream of Karuah River weir pool Figure 39: Stroud off stream storage Figure 40: Solar de-stratifier in off stream storage Figure 41: Stroud settling lagoons and treatment buildings Figure 42: Stroud water supply distribution system Figure 43: Stroud water consumption 2004 - 2014 Figure 44: Stroud water supply system flow diagram Figure 45: Water quality complaints in Stroud water supply 2004 - 2013 Figure 46: Pump housing for Tea Gardens bore Figure 47: Tea Gardens bore pump Figure 48: Tea Gardens WTP buildings Figure 49: Tea Gardens aeration towers Figure 50: Membrane filtration racks Figure 51: Tea Gardens water supply distribution system Figure 52: Tea Gardens reservoirs Figure 53: Tea Gardens water consumption 2004 - 2014 Figure 54: Tea Gardens water supply scheme flow diagram Figure 55: Water quality complaints in Tea Gardens water supply 2004 - 2013 Figure 56: Gloucester WTP buildings Figures 57 & 58: Barrington River near head waters of the catchment, Barrington Tops National Park Figures 59 & 60: Intake to Gloucester WTP, Barrington River Figure 61: Before bank stabilisation June 2011 Figure 62: After bank stabilisation Oct 2012 Figure 63: Before bank stabilisation June 2011 Figure 64: After bank stabilisation Oct 2012 Figure 65: Mixing chambers (background), flocculation chambers (foreground) Figure 66: Clarifier

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Figure 67: Traveling arm on clarifier Figure 68: Sludge lagoons Figure 69: Gloucester water supply distribution system Figure 70: Gloucester water consumption 2011 – 2014 Figure 71: Gloucester water supply system flow diagram Figure 72: Water quality complaints in Gloucester water supply scheme

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1. INTRODUCTION The provision of safe drinking water has been widely recognised as one of the greatest public health achievements of modern times. Reduction in the occurrence of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and other diarrheal diseases has contributed substantially to reducing the infant death rate, with the largest incremental improvements coming during the early 1900s (SE & EJ. Hrudey, 2004). This Drinking Water Quality Management Plan (DWQMP) Progress Report Number 2 describes the processes used to deliver safe drinking water to customers of MidCoast Water. It is based on the Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). It follows a risk based approach which includes anticipating potential problems and implementing preventive measures (including barriers, controls and procedures) to prevent them from happening or reduce the risk to an acceptable level. While all possible measures are taken to reduce hazards, zero risk can never be achieved partly due to human error. The focus should be on designing and maintaining systems that are able to preserve safe outcomes when human errors do occur (SE & EJ. Hrudey, 2004). All stages of the drinking water system are considered and detailed in this plan from drinking water catchments, through the treatment process and to customers’ taps. MidCoast Water delivers water and sewerage services in Greater Taree City, Great Lakes and Gloucester Shire Council areas. The largest water supply operated by MidCoast Water is the Manning Water Supply Scheme with smaller water supplies in Bulahdelah, Stroud, Tea Gardens and Gloucester. MidCoast Water operates under the Local Government Act 1993 as a special purpose County Council whose board consists of members of its constituent councils. MidCoast Water was formed in 1997. This plan documents the management and operational systems MidCoast Water has in place or under development to address the 12 fundamental elements of the ADWG Framework. The framework incorporates a preventative risk management approach including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) methodology. Figure 1 summarises the elements of the ADWG framework which have been used to structure and implement MidCoast Water’s DWQMP.

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Figure 1: ADWG 2011 Drinking water quality management framework The current plan is a continuation / review of MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Progress Report No 1 September 2007 (Document # A241209), Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Progress Report No 2 May 2008 (Document # A290034) and Drinking Water Quality Management Plan 2010-15 Progress Report 1 October 2010 (Document # A287603). The plan is scheduled for a formal independent external review every five years, with annual internal reviews which will be used to update system information and actions that have occurred. The DWQMP is designed to be an overview planning document that: 

Identifies the current drinking water quality issues



Documents the current water supply system

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Identifies management approaches to delivering healthy, reliable drinking water supplies

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Demonstrates MidCoast Water’s operational and monitoring practices that enable its capacity to improve drinking water quality in adherence to community and regulatory standards.

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As this is an overview document, the DWQMP does not contain extensive detailed information, but such information is available within a number of other key documents used within MidCoast Water. These key documents are referred to in the DWQMP and / or attached as appendices. Other relevant documents have a document number which can be accessed by staff through MidCoast Water’s computerised document management system, Objective. MidCoast Water operates under legislation such as the Local Government Act 1993 and Public Health Act 2010. A full list of relevant legislation is listed in Section 2.3 Regulatory and Formal Requirements. MidCoast Water utilises the knowledge and actions of other utility regulators such as IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) and endeavours to match good business practices such as pricing and governance to ensure its services and water products meet national quality standards. The adoption of a DWQMP (with annual updates) ensures that senior management and staff all have a context and operating environment that is clearly understood, enabling continuous improvement. Improvement is achieved through the development of strategies and actions that will lead to improved service delivery and quality of service to customers. In addition to this, the DWQMP will examine and improve the management of the multiple barriers that exist within the drinking water supplies and therefore aim to improve the management of the whole system. This will involve both internal and external interaction including annual reviews and audits. The 12 elements of the framework are covered in detail in Sections 2-30 of this document. The approaches and detail of MidCoast Water’s operations and activities are contained in these sections and in many cases are supported by the key documents available in the appendices, and in MidCoast Water’s document management system, Objective. The very nature of managing drinking water quality requires significant data collection, information analysis and management reporting.

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2. COMMITMENT TO DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT (ELEMENT 1) An effective drinking water quality management system requires support and commitment from all levels of the organisation; from the board and management to the operational staff responsible for the day to day running of the systems. The following section describes MidCoast Water’s commitment as demonstrated by strategic planning, adherence to drinking water quality policy and relationships with regulators and other stakeholders.

2.1 STRATEGIC PLANNING Strategic planning is central to MidCoast Water’s operations. It defines the organisation’s direction, considering the current position, and aspirations for the future. MidCoast Water strives to be a progressive organisation looking for new and better ways of delivering services to customers and taking the initiative within the water industry (MidCoast Water, 2013b). Drinking water quality management is a core aspect of the organisation and is well represented in MidCoast Water’s Strategic Business Plan.

2.1.1 MIDCOAST WATER STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN MidCoast Water’s Strategic Business Plan, Future Directions 2037 (Document # A401925) is a strategy which guides long-term water resource management in the region. It is the first strategic plan to be developed under the new Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines for NSW Councils. There are five key elements which help to define MidCoast Water’s future direction. These are; 

Mission statement

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Vision statement

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Corporate values

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Planning principles

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Corporate objectives and strategies

Mission Statement Our purpose is to manage the provision of sustainable water related services to meet our community’s needs.

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Vision To be recognised as a leader in the water industry and community. Values We value our: Business: Managing all aspects of our business in a transparent and sustainable manner, while providing best value for money to our community. Community: Providing an essential service in a way that is accountable to stakeholders and supports our regional community’s development. Customers: Meet the needs and expectations of our customers. Relationships: Being open, supportive and constructive in all our relationships Employees: Developing staff committed to quality, professional service, teamwork, safety, striving for continuous improvement and accepting personal responsibility. Environment: Conserving resources and protecting and enhancing our natural environment, particularly the water cycle.

The five key elements which have been identified to guide MidCoast Water’s future activities and decisions are; 

Service Quality and Continuity

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

Sustainable Resource Management

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Business Health

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Community Leadership

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Readiness for Change

The commitment to drinking water quality management is clearly defined in the first key direction; Service Quality and Continuity. Mid Coast Water’s traditional business role is to provide quality reticulated water to customers in the region and ensure that waste water is managed responsibly. Further to this, MidCoast Water wants to ensure that the services provided not only meet the necessary health and environmental standards, but also align with customers’ expectations of quality service. Objectives and strategies of this key direction are summarised in the figure below.

Service Quality & Continuity Objectives

Strategies Implement a drinking water quality assurance system

Deliver water related services to the community to agreed service levels

Implement a wastewater/recycled water quality assurance system Deliver our Asset Management Strategy Review and implement our development servicing plan Develop a customer service charter Provide timely, accurate and relevant access

Provide appropriate access to performance information

Deliver our community involvement strategy

Figure 2: Service quality and continuity

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2.2 MIDCOAST WATER DRINKING WATER QUALITY POLICY Following from business plan commitments, the drinking water quality policy was developed. The policy was adopted by MidCoast Water’s board on 19 March 2008 and is shown in the figure below. The policy has been published on the MidCoast Water website.

MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Policy MidCoast Water is committed to supply high quality drinking water which consistently meets or exceeds Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, our customer’s expectations and regulatory requirements. To achieve this, in partnership with our customers, NSW Health and other relevant Government agencies, MidCoast Water will:  Manage water quality at all points along the delivery path from catchment to the customer’s tap  Use a risk-based approach in which all potential risk to water quality are identified and effective measures are taken to minimize any threat to drinking water quality  Deliver water which complies with the health related criteria contained in Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and work towards achieving full compliance with aesthetic criteria  Maintain regular monitoring of the quality of drinking water and establish effective reporting to supply timely and relevant information to our customers and regulators  Develop appropriate contingency planning and incident response mechanisms  Incorporate our customers and regulators expectations into our planning  Participate in water industry forums and research programs which aim to improve understanding of water quality issues  Continually review and improve our practices by assessing performance of our water supply against criteria included in Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

Figure 3: MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Policy

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MidCoast Water’s management team and underlying operational structure are structured to support the delivery of these water quality policy outcomes and to use the AWDG framework to guide MidCoast Water’s approach to delivering secure, safe and healthy drinking water services to its customers.

2.3 REGULATORY AND FORMAL REQUIREMENTS The provision of water supply and sewerage services to country towns in New South Wales is the responsibility of local government under the Division 2 Part 3 Chapter 6 of Local Government Act 1993. MidCoast Water is structured as a county council and has regulatory and formal requirements relating to the supply of safe drinking water to its customers under the Act. NSW Health and NSW Office of Water (within NSW Department of Primary Industries) are the main regulators overlooking MidCoast Water activities in relation to drinking water quality management. MidCoast Water operates under the regulatory requirements of NSW Health as stated in NSW Public Health Act 2010 and Public Health Regulation 2012. These requirements include drinking water suppliers to develop and adhere to a quality assurance program from 1st September 2014, of which this management plan fulfils. Under Part 3, Division 1 of the Public Health Act 2010 NSW Health has certain powers with respect to the provision of safe drinking water. These include powers to; 

Take action with respect to unsafe drinking water



Direct testing of drinking water



Direct production of information



Determine necessity for boil water advices



Require quality assurance programs

NSW Health overlooks the implementation and compliance with Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 including Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Regulation 2012 and Code of Practice for Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies 2011. MidCoast Water is required to conduct prescribed water testing and follow the reporting rules. Apart from a regulatory role, NSW Health assists water utilities in country NSW with water monitoring programs by providing detailed sampling and testing strategies for each water supply system, free-of-charge laboratory services and access to its web based water quality database with all the testing results. This ensures that water quality monitoring is undertaken in consistent way across NSW and compliance can be monitored effectively by the department and water utilities. Document Number A461950

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A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NSW Health and MidCoast Water was signed in April 2007, reviewed and updated in 2013. It was designed ‘to align long term strategic direction of both organisations, formally set out the terms of a co-operative relationship between the parties, establish their respective roles, and facilitate fulfilment of each party’s function in relation to the protection of public health’. Refer to Memorandum of Understanding between NSW Health and MidCoast Water (Document # A427826), also attached in APPENDIX 1. As a requirement of this MOU, Joint Operational Group (JOG) meetings are held every six months to update both parties on operational matters within the organisations. Joint Strategic Group (JSG) meetings are held every six months to discuss long term strategic directions, principles and policies underlying the roles and responsibilities of the parties and the effects on public health. The JSG reports activities to the Service Director of Health Protection Hunter New England Health Population Health and the General Manager of MidCoast Water. The memorandum sets out detailed requirements in regard to water quality monitoring and reporting. The local health unit for MidCoast Water’s area of operation is Hunter New England Population Health. NSW Office of Water is responsible for managing the NSW Government's Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program. The Office of Water oversees and monitors the performance of local water utilities as well as promotes best practice management of water supply through statutory approvals (including approvals for fluoridation of water supply infrastructure), provision of strategic and operational guidelines, manuals, expert advice, inspections and training. There are extensive annual reporting requirements for MidCoast Water in regard to the management of drinking water quality under the urban water utilities performance reporting system. MidCoast Water has an obligation to notify NSW Office of Water in the case of water quality problems or incidents. NSW Office of Water manages water extraction licences and the development of Water Sharing Plans for water sources across NSW. NSW Office of Water’s Best Practice Management for Water Supply and Sewerage Guidelines 2007, require water utilities to develop Integrated Water Cycle Management strategies. MidCoast Water has developed a strategy under these guidelines named Sustainable Water Cycle Management (SWCM). The aim is to present long term strategies to develop sustainable water resource management and business management. Sustainable Water Cycle Management brings together the complex linkages between different elements of the water cycle within urban areas and water catchments. The process aims to consider all water sources, sustainable and equitable use of these sources, consideration of all users and natural processes and a whole of catchment integration of resource management. This is also consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development under the Local Government Act 1993. A SWCM committee was formed including representatives from MidCoast Water, Local Land Services (LLS), Gloucester Shire Council (GSC), Great Lakes Council (GLC) and Greater Taree City Council (GTCC) who participate in and co-ordinate catchment works. MidCoast Water’s adaptive strategy involves a three step approach;

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

Water efficiency is a key element is securing water supplies by extending the capacity of existing water sources



Improving water quality and quantity upstream of water supplies by protecting low flow or river stress periods through rehabilitation works in the catchment



Providing alternate sources based on the specifics of each locality.

Refer to MKGL (Manning Karuah and Great Lakes) Sustainable Water Cycle Management Plan August 2008 – Final Report No. 4 (Document # A353038). Details of the outcomes of MidCoast Water’s SWCM strategies are discussed throughout the document including; Section 4.1.1 Manning River Catchment Management, Section 4.1.2 Barnard Catchment Management, Section 8.1.1 Crawford Catchment Management, Section 26.1 Community Consultation and Section 27.1 Investigative Studies and Research. NSW Office of Water recently introduced a protocol for assuring the safety of drinking water supplies to be implemented by all NSW local water utilities (LWU) by June 2015, refer to Circular LWU 18 – Assuring the safety of drinking water supplies – 4 June 2014 (Document # A460679) Following a review of recent boil water alerts in regional NSW, the NSW Office of Water, in consultation with NSW Health and the NSW Water Directorate developed the new protocol. Standard operating procedures (SOP) need to meet requirements in order to achieve the following three key barriers; 

Barrier 1: Effective disinfection to kill, inactivate or remove pathogens in the water supply prior to distribution



Barrier 2: Ensure distribution integrity to prevent contamination



Barrier 3: Maintain free chlorine residual in the water in the distribution system to help protect against minor contamination and as an indicator of a potential breach in distribution system integrity.

Reporting requirements and actions relating to this protocol include a summary report following a detailed examination of the integrity of each MidCoast Water distribution system. Other actions are discussed in Section 30.2 Drinking Water Quality Management Improvement Plan. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011, endorsed by National Health and Medical Research Council, provide a framework for good management of drinking water supply and define the quality of water suitable for human consumption. The NSW Government has approved the guidelines for implementation as a model of best practice in NSW. MidCoast Water is following the guidelines in the effort to provide good quality water to customers. Other regulatory and formal requirements include but are not limited to the following:

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

Local Government Act 1993 (including Ecological Sustainable Development Policy)



Public Health Act 2010



Public Health Regulation 2012



Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957



Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Regulation 2012



Code of Practice for the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies 2011



Drinking Water Monitoring Program 2005 (updated October 2011) – NSW Health



Water Sharing Plan for Lower North Coast unregulated and alluvial water sources 2009



Karuah River Water Sharing Plan, 2004



Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997



Environmental Protection Licence No 6583 – Bootawa Dam (regulates use of algaecide)



Water Act 2007 – reporting to Bureau of Meteorology



Water Regulations 2008



Water Management Act 2000



Water extraction licences issued under Section 12 Water Act 1912;



o

Manning River –Licence # 20AL212486 (12 500 ML/year)

o

Crawford River – Licence # 20AL205133 (221 ML/year)

o

Karuah River – Licence # 20Al200003 (320 ML/year)

o

Viney Creek Aquifer – Licence # 20PT910882D (1300 ML/year)

o

Barrington River – Licence # 20AL212467 (576 ML/year)

NSW Best Practice Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Guidelines and Framework 2007 (NSW Office of Water)

The diagram below shows the main regulators of MidCoast Water’s activities.

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NSW Dept of Primary Industries (Office of Water) National Water Commission

NSW Health

MIDCOAST WATER REGULATORS

NSW iPART

NSW Dept of Planning & Environment

NSW Enviroment Protection Authority

Figure 4: MidCoast Water regulators

2.4 ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS There are a large number of stakeholders who affect or are affected by the decisions made by MidCoast Water. Methods of engaging these stakeholders will vary depending on relationships between the groups. Regulatory authorities’ requirements have been covered in Section 2.3 Regulatory and Formal Requirements. In addition to this, MidCoast Water maintains relationships with; customers and the wider community, local councils (Greater Taree City Council, Great Lakes Council & Gloucester Shire Council), Local Land Services, local landholder groups, irrigator groups, NSW Food Authority, Local Shellfish Program, Waterwatch groups, local schools, media, State Forests, National Parks and Wildlife Service and various other groups. MidCoast Water actively engages with water industry and various utility associations and professional bodies, including active membership with Australian Water Association (AWA), Water

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Operators Industry Association of Australia (WIOA), Water Directorate and Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA). These activities are actively supported by senior management and enable staff to exchange ideas with other professionals who are managing the full range of issues associated with the delivery and management of healthy drinking water supplies. MidCoast Water is also actively engaging in strategic research alliances with groups and individuals who can provide insights into future challenges that may need to be managed by MidCoast Water staff in the future. Effective communication with customers and the wider community is a high priority within MidCoast Water. Information relating to MidCoast Water’s operations, quality of the water supply and strategic direction is provided to the community via the website, customer service, community newsletters, community events and media releases. A number of community forums, interviews and other methods of receiving customer feedback (including customer surveys every two years) are utilised and are covered in more detail in Section 26 Community Involvement and Awareness. The diagram below shows MidCoast Water’s main stakeholders.

Customers Community Groups

Local Media

Local Councils

MIDCOAST WATER STAKEHOLDERS

Water industry regulators

Local Land Services

NSW State Forests

Other Regional Water Users

National Parks & Wildlife Service

Figure 5: MidCoast Water stakeholders

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3. SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT Effective system analysis requires a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and processes of drinking water supply systems. The aim is to ensure the safe delivery of drinking water to customers and be in a strong position to manage any emerging water quality issues. The following sections of the management plan describe each of MidCoast Water’s supply systems in detail, including hazard analysis and risk assessment, preventive measures, operational procedures and verification monitoring.

3.1 AUSTRALIAN DRINKING WATER GUIDELINES The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines have been developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) of the Australian Government. These guidelines have been updated several times, with the most recent update released in 2011. The ADWG are intended to provide a framework for good management of drinking water supplies that, if implemented, will assure safety at point of use. The ADWG are very comprehensive, however they include six overarching guiding principles which provide a useful summary and are as follows; 

The greatest risks to consumers of drinking water are pathogenic microorganisms. Protection of water sources and treatment are of paramount importance and must never be compromised



The drinking water system must have, and continuously maintain, robust multiple barriers appropriate to the level of potential contamination facing the raw water supply



Any sudden or extreme change in water quality, flow or environmental conditions (e.g. extreme rainfall or flooding) should arouse suspicion that drinking water might become contaminated



System operators must be able to respond quickly and effectively to adverse monitoring signals



System operators must maintain a personal sense of responsibility and dedication to providing consumers with safe water, and should never ignore a customer complaint about water quality



Ensuring drinking water safety and quality requires the application of a considered risk management approach

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Throughout the ADWG two types of guideline values are used. These are; 

Health-related guideline values: concentration or measure of a water quality characteristic that, based on present knowledge, does not result in any significant risk to the health of the consumer over a lifetime of consumption



Aesthetic guideline value: concentration or measure of a water quality characteristic that is associated with acceptability of water to the consumer; for example appearance, taste and odour (NHMRC, NRMMC (2011).

MidCoast Water’s DWQMP including water quality monitoring program is largely based on the principles of the framework, as described in Section 1 Introduction. These monitoring programs (operational and verification) are described in detail in Section 6.2 Operational Water Quality Monitoring Program and Section 7.1 Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program when describing the Manning Water Supply System, and referred to in the relevant sections of the smaller water supply systems.

3.2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MidCoast Water has in excess of 70 staff who are directly involved in the delivery of healthy drinking water and who are involved in the implementation of the DWQMP. Employing and retaining competent and well trained staff with a commitment to providing safe drinking water is essential in the water industry. Roles of these staff extend from the executive team who oversee the DWQMP performance to middle management, operators and scientists. MidCoast Water’s board consists of two councillors from each constituent council (six in total) who oversee the activities of MidCoast Water including development and implementation of the DWQMP. The table below provides a summary of the level of involvement and roles of staff at MidCoast Water in relation to the DWQMP.

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Table 1: MidCoast Water staff and roles involved in the implementation of the DWQMP Function Executive

Number of Staff 4

Service Delivery

11

Positions General Manager and Executive Process Control

18

Customer Response

16

Asset Condition

6.5

MidCoast Water Laboratory

4 3

Customer Service Planning Manager

Planning

Planning Engineer Process planning and review

2

Project Engineer Strategic Operations Manager

Monitoring

2

Process Engineer Product Quality Systems Officer

Reporting

1

Audit/review

2

Water Quality Technician Product Quality Systems Officer Quality & Environmental Impact Manager Service Delivery Manager

Roles Monthly review and action Ongoing delivery and improvement

Forward planning for new customers and design of new infrastructure Increased standards and new technologies Collect, analyse and assess water quality data across each system Water sampling and data management Collect and analyse data for operational and management review Review, analyse long term trends and report drinking water quality to internal and external stakeholders

MidCoast Water also uses external consultants and engineers to assist in the operation of water supplies, and design and construction of new assets such as Bootawa Treatment Plant, including review of the DWQMP. All of these external advisers have a sound understanding of the ADWG 2011 and have their own professional standing within the Australian and international water industry.

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The DWQMP is used to assess and demonstrate the effectiveness of MidCoast Water’s drinking water services and is essential in removing hazards from source to tap that may impact on these services. The DWQMP is not just a formal documentation of the system and potential risks, but a means by which staff within MidCoast Water can act on potential hazards and external stakeholders can gain confidence that MidCoast Water is competent and appropriately equipped to manage the safe supply of drinking water to its customers.

3.3 MIDCOAST WATER DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES MidCoast Water is responsible for the operation of five drinking water supply systems; Manning, Bulahdelah, Stroud, Tea Gardens and Gloucester. The largest of these supplies is the Manning Water Supply Scheme. It serves a population of approximately 67 000 across the Manning and Great Lakes districts, which accounts for 90% of MidCoast Water’s customers. Water is extracted from the Manning River, stored at Bootawa Dam and treated at Bootawa Membrane Filtration Water Treatment Plant, constructed in 2010. Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme serves a population of approximately 600 customers in the town of Bulahdelah. Source water comes from the Crawford River and is treated at a small conventional water treatment plant located at Bulahdelah. Stroud Water Supply Scheme draws source water from the Karuah River, which is treated at a small conventional water treatment plant and serves approximately 500 customers in the villages of Stroud and Stroud Road. The residents of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest, approximately 3500 customers are supplied with drinking water from the Tea Gardens Membrane Filtration Water Treatment Plant. Source water for this scheme is groundwater from an aquifer north-west of Tea Gardens. The water treatment plant underwent a major upgrade in 2013. Gloucester Water Supply Scheme was first operated by MidCoast Water in July 2011 (previously operated by Gloucester Shire Council). Source water comes from Barrington River. Water is treated at a conventional water treatment plant before being distributed to the residents of Gloucester and Barrington (approximately 1700 customers). MidCoast Water purchases bulk water from Hunter Water Corporation for distribution to approximately 100 customers at North Karuah. Monitoring and reporting of water quality in the reticulation system of this supply is the responsibility of MidCoast Water. In the case of noncompliances detected within the reticulation system, MidCoast Water liaises directly with the water quality department of Hunter Water Corporation.

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For the purpose of this section of the management plan (System Analysis and Management, Elements 2 - 5) these five water supplies will be described separately. In the case where systems or procedures are common across all MidCoast Water supplies, a full explanation will be given in the first system to be described (Manning) and referred to briefly in each water supply to follow. This is to avoid repetition throughout the document.

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Figure 6: MidCoast Water’s service area

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4. ASSESSMENT OF THE MANNING DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 2)

4.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY The Manning Water Supply Scheme provides water to towns and villages in the lower Manning River catchment from Crowdy Head to Tarbuck Bay. The Manning Water Supply Scheme originated from a combination of several schemes. In the 1960s a river intake and pumping station was constructed at Abbotts Falls on the Manning River. Water was pumped from the river and stored in Bootawa Dam before being distributed as part of the Manning Water Scheme. The original scheme served the main areas of Taree, Wingham, Hallidays Point, Nabiac and Forster. With further population growth the supply extended to Lansdowne, Harrington and Crowdy Head. In 1986 a new reservoir at Irkanda, pump station at Bootawa Dam, reservoir and booster pump at Lantana Crossing were implemented with further augmentation of the system. The major components of the current scheme include: 

Manning River intake and pumping station (PS1A) at Bootawa



Old intake and pump station at Abbotts Falls (not normally used)



Bootawa Dam, 2250ML capacity



Bootawa Water Treatment Plant (commissioned in 2010)



Bootawa treated water pump station PS2B



Northern district distribution system



Southern district distribution system

The Manning Water Supply Scheme currently serves a population of approximately 67,000, which increases to approximately 80,000 during the holiday months. The following diagram is a schematic of the Manning water supply and distribution system.

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KEY

Raw Water Source

WINGHAM

Water Treatment Plant

KOLODONG 3

Dam

Reservoir

Pump Station

MANNING RIVER

BOOTAWA WTP

PS2B

LANTANA

KOORAINGHAT BOOTAWA DAM Figure 7: Manning water supply and distribution system

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4.1.1 MANNING RIVER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

Figure 8: Manning River catchment map The Manning River drains a catchment area of approximately 8400km2. The bulk of the population of this catchment area live in the estuary zone, and parts of the upper catchment are very remote and hard to access with predominant land uses of grazing, National Park and Forestry (Hughes & Watkins, 2011). Other land uses include other types of agriculture, rural residential, residential, tourism, oyster farming and mining. The Manning catchment is home to a number of Aboriginal nations. Biripi country covers most of the catchment. Kamilaroi of the New England Tablelands and Worimi west of Gloucester are also represented (ABC 2014). MidCoast Water relies on water sourced from the Manning catchment to supply over 90% of its customers with high quality drinking water (this catchment area includes Gloucester in the upper catchment). The catchment is also an important resource for its environmental, social and economic values. Therefore MidCoast Water is committed to catchment management to preserve and improve this resource as part of the ‘catchment to tap’ principle. MidCoast Water has conducted and / or commissioned a range of research projects to determine priorities for catchment management to preserve and improve water quality and flows in the

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Manning. These include environmental flow investigations, determining locally derived water quality trigger values, dissolved oxygen and salinity investigations, fish and platypus studies. Investigations have indicated problems with high levels of turbidity and nutrient loads, especially associated with high flows (Hughes & Watkins, 2011). A cease to pump limit based on environmental flow has been investigated in response to the droughts of the 2000s. Since that time the Manning supply experienced ‘wet droughts’ of 2009 and 2010 prior to the commissioning of a membrane filtration plant at Bootawa. During these times, the flows in the river were high, so too were turbidity and nutrient loads, making water unsuitable for pumping into Bootawa Dam. Since the end of 2010 MidCoast Water has been operating a membrane filtration plant at Bootawa capable of treating water of a poorer quality. However, poor quality water has the potential to contribute to algal blooms in Bootawa Dam and decreased efficiency of the WTP, resulting in higher chemical usage and financial costs. Therefore catchment management remains a high priority for MidCoast Water. In 2011 a Manning River Catchment Management Program was produced by MidCoast Water which sets guiding principles for the organisation’s activities and investment in the Manning catchment (Hughes & Watkins, 2011). This is an outcome of MidCoast Water’s Sustainable Water Cycle Management strategies. The document draws on information from previous studies and water quality monitoring programs (e.g. Barrington River, Nowendoc River, Little Manning River, Barnard River, Dingo Creek and Manning River upstream of intake to WTP) and combines these to recommend activities to help achieve the desired goals of improving overall catchment health. Priorities from this document are as follows; 

Continue catchment monitoring and research



Support existing external programs which share management objectives



Focus on the key catchments of the Barrington and Barnard Rivers



Improved effluent management to reduce nutrients directly released into the river from Gloucester Waste Water Treatment Plant



Diversify the water source by developing Nabiac bore field



Increase Bootawa Dam storage capacity



Collaboration with other agencies



Education



Offset carbon emissions

For more detailed information refer to Working With Our Catchment: Manning River Catchment Management Program (Document # A330733) also attached in APPENDIX 2.

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Figure 9: Offtake site on Manning River

Figure 10: Manning River near Mt George

As part of MidCoast Water’s weed management obligations, Bootawa Dam Noxious Weeds Management Program (Document # A414113) was developed in 2013. This is attached in APPENDIX 3. This plan sets out strict pesticide application procedures and water quality monitoring program (including baseline data collection before application). Samples are collected in Bootawa Dam on a seasonal basis after pesticide application to ensure the water supply is not adversely affected (MidCoast Water, 2013a). The management program has been approved by Hunter New England Population Health.

4.1.2 BARNARD CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT Through catchment wide investigations, MidCoast Water has identified the catchment of the Barnard River as a significant source of sediment and nutrient pollution in the Manning River (MidCoast Water, 2014). With the aim of catchment management and water quality improvement, MidCoast Water purchased a property in July 2011 in the headwaters of the Manning Catchment, located on the upper Barnard River at Barry, 80 km north west of Gloucester. The property ‘Glen Almond’ is 1011 hectares of steep, rugged terrain with highly erodible soils (MidCoast Water, 2014). Improved management of this large property has the potential to make significant improvements to water quality downstream in the Manning Catchment. Through collaboration with neighbouring properties and government bodies, MidCoast Water has undertaken the following works on the property; 

‘Soft engineering’ river bank stabilisation including; o

Riparian fencing

o

Off stream watering system

o

Planting of native, indigenous vegetation

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

‘Hard engineering’ river bank stabilisation including; o

Installation of rock fillets for bank stabilisation

o

Re-aligning and pinning existing dead wood to river bank



Property vegetation plan (in collaboration with Hunter Central Rivers LLS)



Land used for carbon sequestration

Figure 11: Off river watering on ‘Glen Almond’ Figure 12: Fencing on ‘Glen Almond’ There were some gravel roads identified as problematic in the Tamworth and Upper Hunter local government areas where dirt was running directly from the road to the river. With funding assistance from LLS, MidCoast Water worked with these councils to stabilise these erosion points (MidCoast Water 2014). Examples of before and after photos of concrete causeway are provided below.

Figure 13: Before concrete causeway installation

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Figure 14: After concrete causeway installation

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4.1.3 MINING ACTIVITIES IN THE MANNING RIVER CATCHMENT Existing and proposed mining activities in the Manning River catchment are mostly located in the upper reaches of the catchment near Gloucester within the Avon River catchment. Existing mining activity includes;  Stratford Coal Mine is an open cut mine owned by Yancoal. It is located partly in the Avon River catchment Proposed mining activities include;  Stage 1 & 2 Gloucester Gas Project. This is a coal seam gas project operated by AGL Energy  Rocky Hill Coal Project, located in the Avon River catchment. MidCoast Water is actively involved in government reviews of mining operations and potential impacts to ensure the protection of drinking water catchments is seen as a priority. However, as a local water utility MidCoast Water has limited influence on the approval process. MidCoast Water involvement includes; 

Participation in State and Federal Government reviews of mining approval processes (including providing information to the Chief Scientist for inclusion in decision making processes)



Involvement in Gloucester Bioregional Assessment. This program is a scientific collaboration run by the Australian Government (Department of the Environment, Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia) and coordinated by CSIRO. It aims to provide scientific water resource information associated with coal seam gas and large coal mines and includes input from a large number of stakeholders.



Participation in Community Consultative Committees



Communication and engagement directly with mines



Independent and collaborative water quality monitoring projects of waters with the potential to be effected by mines.

Mining activities are considered in the hazard analysis and risk assessment process for drinking water supplies of effected catchments (Manning, Gloucester and Stroud water supplies).

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4.1.4 LOWER NORTH COAST UNREGULATED AND ALLUVIAL WATER SHARING PLAN The Manning River is part of the Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sharing Plan devised under the Water Management Act 2000. The plan commenced 1 August 2009 and is current for ten years. The plan details cease to pump limits, trading rules and other information relating to surface water and ground water. During the first five years there were no cease to pump limits on the Manning River. From 1 August 2014, cease to pump limits apply when the flow at Killawarra gauging station is equal to or less than 98 ML/day (which corresponds to the estimated 98th percentile flow). MidCoast Water must not recommence pumping until the flow is equal to or greater than 137 ML/day (which corresponds to the estimated 97th percentile flow). For more information, refer to Water Sharing Plan Lower North Coast current version 2014 (Document # A460495) and WSP Summary Lower Manning River (Document # A337700).

4.2 MANNING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM ANALYSIS The Manning Water Supply System underwent a major upgrade in 2010 with the construction of a membrane filtration water treatment plant at the Bootawa Dam site. Prior to commissioning of the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in November 2010, the system consisted of an off river storage and basic chlorine dosing for disinfection. Figure 17 provides a comparison of the previous and current water supply management components for the Manning Water Supply System. MidCoast Water is also developing the Nabiac bore field and Water Treatment Plant to supplement and diversify the Manning Water Supply System in the future.

Figure 15: Bootawa Dam

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Figure 16: Bootawa Dam tower

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PREVIOUS SYSTEM

Manning River (intake management)

Bootawa Dam (storage management)

CURRENT SYSTEM

Manning River (intake managment) Bootawa Dam (storage managment) Pre-treatment, stabilisation, screening Coagulation, flocculation

Membrane filtration

Chlorination Ozonation

Fluoridation

Biologically activated carbon filtration

Chlorination

Distribution Management

Fluoridation

Distribution Management

Customer Response

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Figure 17: Overview of previous and current treatment system and management components of Manning supply scheme (previous page).

4.2.1 RAW WATER QUALITY To optimise and understand the treatment process it is important to understand the characteristics of the water that is to be treated. General raw water characteristics of the Manning supply are summarised below. These vary depending on whether the water is sourced directly from the Manning River under various flow rates, or if it has had detention time in Bootawa Dam, so the list below is general. 

Neutral pH



Low alkalinity



Variable turbidity (when sourced directly from the river)



High suspended solids (can be high when sourced from dam if algae is present)



High dissolved organic carbon (when pumping from the river)



Low metal concentrations

4.2.2 BOOTAWA WATER TREATMENT PLANT PROCESS DESCRIPTION Bootawa Water Treatment Plant is a membrane filtration plant which currently has the capacity to treat 60 ML/day with the provision to be upgraded to a capacity of 75 ML/day in the future. A control philosophy document for Bootawa WTP is stored onsite, refer to MA4 1001- IY005 Control Philosophy Rev D 150411 (Document # A329865). It includes a detailed description of all stages of treatment, diagrams, process control and maintenance information. Raw water intake Bootawa Water Treatment Plant has three modes of raw water operation. 

Mode 1 (Manning River water turbidity5 NTU and 50 NTU). Water is pumped from Bootawa Dam directly to the WTP with no water being pumped into the dam.

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Stabilisation Prior to screening, raw water is conditioned using lime and carbon dioxide for pH and alkalinity adjustment ensuring stable treated water that is not potentially corrosive to the distribution system. Lime slurry is dosed just after the plant inlet to maximise the contact time ensuring complete reaction prior to carbon dioxide dosing. Carbon dioxide (dissolved into a side stream of raw water) is injected after lime, prior to coagulation. Screening Pre-dosed water is screened before entering the flash mixing tank to remove large particles which could damage the filtration membranes. A rotating drum screen with 2 mm screen apertures captures solids into a small waste bin. Coagulation (flash mixing) Screened water is dosed with coagulant ACH (Aluminium Chlorohydrate) which is vigorously mixed by a vertical mixer in the flash mixing tank. ACH assists in the removal of colloidal and suspended particulates from the raw water by destabilising the particles allowing them to aggregate for removal in the membrane filtration stage. Flocculation The dosed water then flows into the inlet channel which provides gentle mixing and required contact time for the coagulated suspended particles to agglomerate and form flocs. These flocs are then easily removed in the membrane filtration phase. Membrane filtration The flocculated water flows along the membrane inlet channel where it enters under gravity the four (provision for five in the future) micro filtration cells. Each cell operates identically and in parallel. Feedwater enters the bottom of each cell and passes over and around the micro-porous hollow fibre membranes. Clean water is drawn through the membrane wall by suction pressure into the centre of each membrane fibre. Filtered water (filtrate) flows from the top of each module rack to the filtrate manifold into a common treated water outlet and passes to storage. The membranes provide a physical barrier for organisms such as Cyanobacteria (Blue Green Algae) and protozoa (e.g. Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia intestinalis). Cleaning and maintenance of the membranes is carried out routinely in various ways. Frequency of the different cleaning methods depends on raw water quality and the type of fouling. Backwash removes retained solids from membrane surfaces with the use of pumps and air scour blowers. Clean in Place (CIP) is required to maintain long term membrane performance and uses cleaning chemicals including hypochlorite and acid cleaners and soaking the membranes. Chemically Document Number A461950

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Enhanced Backwash (CEBW) is similar to CIP but with reduced step times and no extended soaking. Compressed air is used for integrity testing and valve operation. Membrane integrity is also monitored via the automatic pressure decay test and leak test and is trended on the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Waste water generated during cleaning processes is drained into a neutralisation tank before being discharged to the waste water balance tank. The waste water then passes to clarifiers for further treatment. Sludge is removed, and clear water returns to the head of the plant. For more detailed information on membrane maintenance and waste water treatment including chemicals used in cleaning processes, refer to MA4 1001- IY005 Control Philosophy Rev D 150411 (Document # A329865). Filtrate from the membrane filters flows into the clear water tank which has two compartments. The main compartment is utilised for provision of backwash water for membrane filters, BAC filters, CIP make up water and ozone generation cooling water. Water from the second compartment of the clear water tank gravitates to the ozone contact tank. The ozone and BAC processes can be bypassed if not required. Ozonation Filtered water is treated with ozone which breaks down taste and odour-causing compounds (e.g. MIB and geosmin, associated with algae). It is also effective against bacteria (e.g. Escherichia. coli (E. coli)) and viruses. Ozone gas is generated on site and dosed via diffusers configured in a ‘baffle’ arrangement in the two stage ozone contact tank. This provides sufficient contact time to treat taste and odour compounds. Gas flow is adjusted with valves to meet water quality requirements. Water then gravitates over a weir at the outlet of the contact tank to ensure no residual ozone remains in solution at the end of the process stage. Biologically activated carbon filters The ozonised water then flows via gravity to biologically activated carbon (BAC) filters. In conjunction with ozonation the BAC filters remove total organic carbon (TOC) and other organics which can contribute to taste and odour problems. The BAC filtration process uses naturally occurring micro-organisms to remove organics via bio-assimilation. The organic matter is readily assimilated due to ozone having broken the chemicals into readily consumable forms. Filtered water flows out of the bottom of the tank. Media is cleared periodically to remove organics and excess biogrowth with backwashing and air scouring. Backwash water is discharged into the waste water balance tank. Chlorine contact tank The BAC filtered water flows under gravity to the chlorine contact tank (CCT). Water is dosed at the inlet with chlorine gas for disinfection of pathogens (disease causing organisms, e.g. E. coli bacteria) and fluoride (sodium silicofluoride) is added for dental hygiene. The tank consists of two long

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chicanes which promote plug flow ensuring a minimum of 30 minutes contact time. Chlorine is dosed at a level high enough to maintain a residual throughout the distribution system. Water passes over the outlet weir and through an underground pipe to the 8.5 ML treated water reservoir. Soda ash (sodium carbonate) can be dosed into the water at the weir exiting the chlorine contact tank (if required) to correct the final water pH to ensure the water meets the treated water quality and corrosivity requirements. The treated water is then pumped via the treated water pumping station (PS2B) to the distribution system, The WTP is automatically controlled using Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and SCADA systems. These systems allow operators to control the plant remotely as well as record data for all treatment processes.

Figure 18: Bootawa WTP and laboratory

Figure 19: Old treatment building in foreground

4.2.3 NORTHERN MANNING DISTRICT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Water is distributed to the northern region of the Manning Water Supply Scheme from Bootawa WTP via Pump Station 2B to Wingham Reservoirs and Lantana Reservoir (Wingham and Lantana are interconnected). The water is then distributed to the towns and villages. Wingham Reservoirs feed the Bungay Road and Kolodong Reservoirs. There are three Kolodong Reservoirs. The two lower Kolodong Reservoirs are part of the northern Manning supply scheme. From the lower Kolodong Reservoir the water is pumped to the Irkanda Reservoir. From the Irkanda

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Reservoir the system branches out to Cundletown, Harrington and Coopernook. The Irkanda Reservoir feeds the Coopernook and Harrington Reservoirs. Coopernook Reservoir feeds Lansdowne Reservoir and Harrington Reservoir feeds Crowdy Head Reservoir directly. The North Coopernook Reservoir, commissioned in May 2007 provides for the increased demand created by the new development of Harrington Waters in Harrington. The following diagram is a schematic of the Manning water supply northern distribution system.

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KEY

LANSDOWNE

COOPERNOOK

Water Treatment Plant Reservoir

CROWDY HEAD NORTH COOPERNOOK

BUNGAY ROAD

Pump Station

IRKANDA HARRINGTON

KOLODONG 3 BOOTAWA WTP

PS2B

WINGHAM

KOLODONG 1 & 2

Figure 20: Manning water supply northern distribution system

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4.2.4 SOUTHERN MANNING DISTRICT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM The southern region of the Manning Water Supply distributes water from Bootawa WTP via Pump Station 2B. Water is pumped from Bootawa WTP to Lantana Reservoir which feeds through 600mm steel pipes the southern regions of the water supply scheme. Water is gravitated via Lantana Reservoir to Taree, Old Bar, Mitchell’s Island and Kolodong Reservoirs. The water is gravitated through a 600mm steel pipe from Lantana Reservoir and branches to a 300mm pipe to Old Bar and a 525mm steel pipe to Taree. Koorainghat Reservoir feeds North Tuncurry Reservoir. The pipeline from Koorainghat Reservoir continues to the Tallwoods Reservoir and the new Redhead Reservoir. Lantana Pump Station feeds Forster Reservoir through a 600mm steel pipe from the Lantana Reservoir. Forster Reservoir feeds Nabiac Reservoir. Nabiac Pump Station feeds Krambach Reservoir. It has the highest elevation of the scheme at 118 metres. Forster Reservoir also feeds the Pacific Palms and Smiths Lake Reservoirs through a 600mm steel and 300mm DICL pipe. The following diagram is a schematic of the Manning water supply southern distribution system.

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OLD BAR

LANTANA

MITCHELLS ISLAND

KOORAINGHAT BOOTAWA WTP

KEY Water Treatment Plant

KOLODONG

PS2B LANTANA

TALLWOODS

REDHEAD

NORTH TUNCURRY FORSTER

Reservoir Reservoir with Chlorine Analyser Pump Station

KRAMBACH

NABIAC

NABIAC

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ELIZABETH BEACH

PACIFIC PALMS

SMITHS LAKE

SMITHS LAKE

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Figure 21: Manning water supply southern distribution system (previous page)

4.2.5 MANNING WATER SUPPLY PUMPING SYSTEMS The main pumping station of the Manning Water Supply is Pump Station 2B. There are also several other pumping stations operating within the water supply scheme. Pump Station 2B Pump Station 2B was constructed with the new water treatment plant in 2010. It delivers water from Bootawa WTP to Wingham, Koorainghat and Lantana reservoirs. The pipeline to Wingham is 450mm and the pump is capable of pumping 289 L/sec. Koorainghat pipeline is 375 mm and the pump is capable of pumping 184 L/sec. Lantana pipeline is 600 mm and the pump is capable of pumping 620 L/sec. Booster Pump Stations The table below describes the booster pump stations for the Manning Water Supply Scheme. Table 2: Pump stations in Manning water supply scheme

Name

No. of Pumps

Capacity (L/s)

Head (m)

Pumping to

Kolodong

2

208

46

Irkanda Reservoir

Lantana

2

500

114

Forster Reservoir

Nabiac

2

8

100

Krambach Reservoir

Smiths Lake

2

22.5

22

Smiths Lake Reservoir

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Tiona

2

45

87

Pacific Palms Reservoir

4.2.6 RESERVOIRS IN THE MANNING SYSTEM The existing reservoirs of the Manning Water Supply Scheme and their capacities are shown in the table below. Table 3: Reservoirs in Manning water supply scheme Reservoir

Capacity (ML)

Type

Coopernook

0.45

Reinforced concrete

North Coopernook

5.00

Reinforced concrete

Crowdy Head

0.45

Reinforced concrete

Harrington

2.27

Steel

Irkanda

7.00

Pre-stressed concrete

Kolodong 1

1.59

Reinforced concrete

Kolodong 2

4.54

Reinforced concrete

Kolodong 3

9.09

Reinforced concrete

Lansdowne

0.59

Steel

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Wingham 1

1.36

Reinforced Concrete

Wingham 2

1.36

Reinforced Concrete

Wingham 3

4.54

Reinforced Concrete

Wingham 4

5.00

Reinforced Concrete

Wingham-Bungay

0.50

Steel

North Tuncurry

5.60

Reinforced Concrete

Forster

44.30

Steel

Hallidays Point

0.45

Reinforced Concrete

Koorainghat

2.27

Reinforced Concrete

Krambach

0.45

Reinforced Concrete

Lantana

15.00

Steel

Mitchells Island

2.50

Reinforced Concrete

Nabiac

0.45

Reinforced Concrete

Old Bar

7.00

Steel

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Pacific Palms

3.50

Reinforced Concrete

Redhead (new)

6.60

Reinforced Concrete

Smiths Lake

3.50

Reinforced Concrete

Tallwoods

6.20

Reinforced Concrete

4.2.7 WATER DEMANDS Annual water consumption for the Manning Water Supply has been trending downwards over the past ten years, despite an increase in the number of customers. Consumption over the last two years is beginning to trend upwards. Annual water consumption figures from 2004/2005 to 2013/2014 are presented in the table below. The demand figures are derived from the bulk water meters installed at the major lines supplying water into the reticulation system. (Lantana, Wingham and Koorainghat lines). The average daily consumption figure over this period was 22.5 ML/day.

Manning Water Consumption 12000

ML/year

10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0

Figure 22: Manning water consumption 2004 - 2014

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The Manning Water Supply requires careful management during periods of low flow and drought. Water restrictions were imposed in all MidCoast Water supplies including the Manning in October and November 2002 to the equivalent of Level 5 restrictions. Flow in the Manning River dropped below 50 ML/day in January 2014. There is currently no cease to pump limit for the Manning River (however cease to pump limits will be in place 1 August 2014), refer to Section 4.1.4 Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sharing Plan). A guideline of 50 ML/day is observed by MidCoast Water and rural extractors as good management practice. Level 3 water restrictions were imposed from 29 January 2014 – 3 March 2014. Further details on MidCoast Water’s drought management strategy, river flow, water restrictions and Bootawa Dam storage management are included in Water Restriction Levels March 2014 (Document # A445335).

4.2.8 NABIAC WATER TREATMENT PLANT To secure the long term water supply for an increasing population and diversify the supply, MidCoast Water is in the design phase of a new water treatment plant at Nabiac bore field (located between Nabiac and Tuncurry) to supplement the Manning water supply. Groundwater will be extracted from the Nabiac bore field and treated on site before being pumped into the existing water supply system via a transfer system. The Nabiac WTP will be designed to treat 12ML/day. Main elements of the treatment process will include lime dosing, aeration, chemical oxidation, coagulation, flocculation, screening, membrane filtration, chlorine disinfection and fluoridation.

4.3 ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY DATA Water quality data is reviewed over short and long term periods to assess the performance of each water supply system. MidCoast Water’s reporting system includes quarterly and annual reporting which provides an opportunity to review water quality, establish trends and highlight any potential issues. Customer complaints / queries are monitored alongside water quality data to increase system knowledge. The NSW Health Water Quality Database includes a report function which provides a simple method of reviewing data for specific parameters over short or long term periods. As part of the MOU between MidCoast Water and NSW Health, an annual water quality report is compiled for discussion at the October Joint Strategic Group meeting. It includes operational and compliance data for each MidCoast Water supply system and compares results to previous years to establish trends over time. Details of investigations and corrective actions are included where appropriate. Refer to Drinking Water Quality Report July 2012 – June 2013 (Document # A420855). Trends will be discussed for

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each water supply system under Operational Water Quality Monitoring and Verification of Drinking Water Quality.

4.4 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT The purpose of this step is to identify and document all potential hazards, hazardous events and sources so the associated risks can be estimated and prioritised. A working group was formed to undertake the hazard analysis and risk assessment process. The team includes engineers, scientists, laboratory technicians, operators and environmental health officers with various water quality management expertise and roles in the Manning Water Supply System operations and planning. The initial workshop was held in May 2009 to establish risks associated with the system before the water treatment plant was commissioned. Following this workshop further consultation with the group took place over the next six months including meetings in person, by phone and email. Details of participants of the initial working group are contained in APPENDIX 4, Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment Workshop Participants – Manning WSS 2009 (Document # A460942). The working group continues to have involvement in the DWQMP through reviews and providing knowledge and advice for any changes required. Bootawa Water Treatment Plant was commissioned in November 2010. Following this, risks were re-assessed taking into account the extra treatment processes (refer to the table below for details of participants of the risk assessment workshop held in June 2012 with representatives from MidCoast Water and Hunter New England Population Health). Table 4: Manning hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop participants 2012

Name

Position & Department

Role

Expertise

Anna Kaliska

Quality & Environmental Impact Manager – Service Delivery

Water quality management

Environmental Engineer/scientist

Product Quality Systems OfficerService Delivery

Water quality coordination

Emma Britten

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Workshop facilitator

Environmental scientist Water quality

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Walter Chitsike

Senior Chemist Service Delivery (Laboratory)

Supervision of water testing (chemistry)

Water chemistry

Tim Manusu

Senior MicrobiologistService Delivery (Laboratory)

Supervision of water testing (microbiology) and on-line instrumentation servicing

Water microbiology

Geoff Kerr

Process Operator Service Delivery

Operator in charge of Bootawa Water Treatment Plant

Water treatment and distribution

Ian Trickett

Process Control Service Delivery

Operator Bootawa Water Treatment Plant

Water treatment and distribution

Jason Zabell

Process Control Service Delivery

Operator Bootawa Water Treatment Plant

Water treatment and distribution

Craig Stone

Process Control Service Delivery

Operator Bootawa Water Treatment Plant

Water treatment and distribution

Linda Brook Franklin

Compliance & Liaison OfficerService Delivery

Trade waste management and backup for water quality coordination

Environmental Scientist

Customer Response Manager - Service Delivery

Management of customer response and supervision of Manning Water Supply operation

Wilf Alley

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Water quality and trade waste

Water treatment and distribution

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Graeme Watkins

Strategic Operations Manager - Service Delivery

Management of strategic planning

Process engineering and strategic planning

Philippe Porigneaux

Environmental Health Manager – Hunter New England Population Health

Environmental health including water

Public health

Hannah Ballard

Environmental Health Trainee – Hunter New England Population Health

Environmental health including water

Public health

Stephanie Stratigos

Environmental Health Officer – Hunter New England Population Health

Environmental health including water

Public health

4.4.1 INTENDED USE AND CONSUMER OF WATER The following information relating to the intended use of water supplied to customers is common for all MidCoast Water schemes, and therefore will not be repeated in the description of each water supply scheme. MidCoast Water supplies water to the general population. The water supplied is intended for drinking. Dermal exposure through washing of bodies and clothes, inhalation from showering and boiling are also exposure routes for waterborne hazards. Food may be prepared from the water. The intended consumers do not include those that are significantly immuno-compromised or using water for dialysis. Water may be not suitable for industries with special water quality needs e.g.

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dairy farms, abattoirs. These groups of consumers are advised to provide additional point-of-use treatment.

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4.4.2 MANNING FLOW DIAGRAM The following diagram was produced for the purpose of conducting a risk assessment.

Manning District Water Supply Flow Diagram Step

Description

Responsibility

Catchment

Local Councils, HCR LLS, NSW Office of Water, NSW EPA, NSW DPI, catchment landowners, Department of Planning and other stakeholders

Intake

MidCoast Water NSW Office of Water

Bootawa Dam

MidCoast Water NSW Office of Water

Water Stabilisation

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Screening

Flocculation Coagulation

MidCoast Water

and MidCoast Water

Supernatant (from the wastewater clarification) return into coagulation tank

Membrane filtration

MidCoast Water

Ozonation

MidCoast Water

Biologically Activated MidCoast Water Carbon Filtration

Chlorination

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Fluoridation

MidCoast Water

Distribution

MidCoast Water

Booster chlorination

MidCoast Water

Distribution

MidCoast Water

Chlorine tablets dosing

MidCoast Water

Distribution

MidCoast Water

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Meter box

MidCoast Water

Household use

Customer

Figure 23: Manning water supply flow diagram

4.4.3 RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY The following information describes the methodology used for the risk assessment process. The same process was used for each water supply system; therefore this information will not be repeated in the description of each scheme. The following definitions based on ADWG have been used during the risk assessment process: Hazard: ‘Biological, chemical, physical or radiological agent that has the potential to cause harm’ Hazardous event: ‘Incident or situation that can lead to the presence of a hazard’ Risk: ‘Likelihood of identified hazards causing harm in exposed populations, including the severity of the consequences’ The risk assessment includes identifying and documenting all potential hazards to drinking water quality for each component of the system from catchment to tap, regardless of whether or not the component is under the direct control of MidCoast Water. The following hazards were identified for the risk assessment: 

E. coli as an indicator of bacteria

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

Viruses



Protozoa



Taste and odour



Turbidity, true colour



pH, hardness



Metals with health and aesthetic guidelines



Pesticides, fungicides, insecticides and other harmful organics



Chlorine and disinfection by-products (THM and bromate)



Endocrine disruptors



TDS, salinity, conductivity



Algal toxins



Fluoride



Radiological pollutants

Likelihood, consequence and the level of associated risk for each identified hazard and hazardous event were assessed according to the descriptors presented in Tables 5, 6 and 7 below (ADWG 2011). Table 5: Qualitative measures of likelihood Level

Descriptor

Example description

A

Almost certain

Is expected to occur in most circumstances

B

Likely

Will probably occur in most circumstances

C

Possible

Might occur or should occur at some time

D

Unlikely

Could occur at some time

E

Rare

May occur only in exceptional circumstances

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Table 6: Qualitative measures of consequence Level

Descriptor

Example description

1

Insignificant

Insignificant impact, little disruption to normal operation, low increase in normal operation costs

2

Minor

Minor impact for small population, some manageable operation disruption, some increase in operating costs

3

Moderate

Minor impact for large population, significant modification to normal operation but manageable, operation costs increased, increased monitoring

4

Major

Major impact for small population, systems significantly compromised and abnormal operation if at all, high level of monitoring required

5

Catastrophic

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Table 7: Qualitative risk analysis matrix: Level of risk

Risk matrix

Consequence

Likelihood

Insignificant (1)

Minor (2)

Moderate (3)

Major (4)

Catastrophic (5)

Almost certain (A)

Moderate

High

Very high

Very high

Very high

Likely (B)

Moderate

High

High

Very high

Very high

Possible ( C)

Low

Moderate

High

Very high

Very high

Unlikely (D)

Low

Low

Moderate

High

Very high

Rare (E)

Low

Low

Moderate

High

High

4.4.4 RISK ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES From the hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop, a comprehensive document was produced. It detailed all hazards that were identified throughout each step in water supply management from catchment to customers’ taps, preventive measures in place and risk assigned to each hazard. Refer to Manning WSS Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment – updated 2013 (Document # A401018) also included in APPENDIX 5. During the initial workshop in 2009 prior to the water treatment plant being commissioned there were some high risks identified. These risks were reassessed after the WTP came online. Details of these high risks, extra preventive measures now in place and the revised level of risk are presented in the table below.

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Table 8: Risk assessment outcomes – Manning water supply Hazard

Hazardous

Existing Preventive Measures 2009

Extra Preventive Measures

Event/Cause

2012

Current Risk Likelihood

Consequence

Level of Risk

to Customer

Catchment E. coli and viruses

Dead animal in river Involvement in catchment activities

Water stabilisation

near intake

Daily inspection of intake

Coagulation

Selective pumping on detection

Microfiltration

Removal of animal on detection

Ozonation

Detention in the dam

BAC

Dilution with river and dam water

Chlorination

E

1

LOW

D

1

LOW

Disinfection with chlorine when leaving dam Chlorine booster pumps Chlorine tablets Cryptosporidium

Infected dead animal

Involvement in catchment activities

Water stabilisation

and other

in river near intake

Daily inspection of intake

Coagulation

protozoa

during dry weather

Selective pumping on detection

Microfiltration

Removal of animal on detection

Ozonation

Detention in the dam

BAC

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Dilution with river and dam water

Chlorination

Disinfection with chlorine when leaving dam Chlorine booster pumps Chlorine tablets Cryptosporidium

Major incident at

Dilution with river/distance

MidCoast Water operates

and other

Gloucester STP

EPA licence/monitoring by GSC

Gloucester STP allowing

MOU with NSW Health

faster notification

Detention in the dam

Water stabilisation

Disinfection with chlorine when

Coagulation

leaving dam

Microfiltration

Chlorine booster pumps

Ozonation

Chlorine tablets

BAC

protozoa

D

1

LOW

D

1

LOW

Chlorination Algal toxins

Bloom of toxic algae

Daily inspection of intake and

Water stabilisation

in river due to low

selective pumping

Coagulation

flows and poor water Cyanobacterial Monitoring &

Microfiltration

quality

Management Plan in place (algae

Ozonation

counts and toxicity when required)

BAC

De-stratification in dam

Dam can be bypassed

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Dam can be dosed with algaecide Storage in reservoirs if dam is taken offline Chlorination when leaving dam Bootawa Dam E. coli and viruses

Deliberate spill of

Fence/locked gate around dam

Water stabilisation

hazardous material

Regular inspection of dam

Coagulation

in dam

Detention in dam

Microfiltration

Water monitoring in dam

Ozonation

Dam taken offline if hazardous

BAC

material detected

Dam can be bypassed

E

1

LOW

D

2

LOW

Storage in reservoirs if dam is taken offline Disinfection with chlorine when leaving dam Chlorine booster stations Chlorine tablets Harmful organics

Deliberate spill of

Fence/locked gate around dam

Water stabilisation

hazardous material

Regular inspection of dam

Coagulation

in dam

Detention in dam

Microfiltration

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Water monitoring in dam

Ozonation

Dam taken offline if hazardous

BAC

material detected

Dam can be bypassed

Storage in reservoirs if dam is taken offline Disinfection with chlorine when leaving dam Chlorine booster stations Chlorine tablets Algal toxins

Bloom of toxic algae

Cyanobacterial Monitoring &

Water stabilisation

in dam

Management Plan in place (algae

Coagulation

counts and toxicity when required)

Microfiltration

De-stratification in dam

Ozonation

Dam can be dosed with algaecide

BAC

Storage in reservoirs if dam is taken

Dam can be bypassed

offline Chlorination when leaving dam

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D

2

LOW

MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Management Plan

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5. PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN THE MANNING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 3)

5.1 PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND MULTIPLE BARRIERS System specific preventive measures to reduce hazards in the Manning Water Supply Scheme were identified during the risk assessment process. All hazards and preventive measures were considered throughout each step from catchment to tap. These preventive measures are documented in Manning WSS Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment – updated 2013 (Document # A401018) also included in APPENDIX 5 as discussed in the previous section. It is important to incorporate multiple barriers throughout the system. The failure of one barrier can be compensated by effective operation of remaining barriers. The new water treatment plant added extra barriers by providing better treatment of the water. Its operation has significantly reduced some, but not all risks. Other preventive measures and barriers are still important to maintain including catchment management, maintenance of the distribution system and appropriate operational practices.

5.2 CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS A Critical Control Point (CCP) is defined as a point, step or procedure at which control can be applied and a hazard can be prevented, eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels. All significant hazards identified through the risk assessment process need to be managed to ensure the risk is reduced to an acceptable level. Detailed information sheets developed based on HACCP system requirements for Critical Control Points identified are contained in Critical Control Points for Manning Water Supply System – updated 2014 (Document # A452939) and attached as APPENDIX 6. The following critical control points have been identified in this system; 

River intake 1 (turbidity)



River intake 2 (phosphorus)



Membrane filtration

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

Post dose chlorine



Booster chlorinators

The following information is included in the sheets; 

Operational, alert and critical limits



Monitoring requirements



Corrective action



Assigned responsibility



Record keeping methods

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6. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESS CONTROL FOR THE MANNING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 4) Under the ADWG there are five sub-components to be addressed under this element: 

Operational procedures



Operational monitoring



Corrective actions



Equipment capability and maintenance



Materials and chemicals

These sub-components are managed within the Service Delivery group at MidCoast Water and are overseen Quality and Environmental Impact Manager and Product Quality Systems Officer. The Service Delivery group examines the CCPs and is responsible for the implementation of preventative measures and a wide range of actions that control and manage the performance of the water supply system.

6.1 OPERATIONAL PLANS AND PROCEDURES As an organisation operating in the dynamic water industry, operational staff need to be flexible in their thinking and have a wide range of skills and abilities to complete daily tasks. Operational plans give guidance to staff, rather than prescribing each step in the process due to the nature of the job. On the job training, ‘tool box meetings’ and de-briefs are valuable tools for MidCoast Water operational staff and assist in carrying out everyday procedures. Operational procedures are stored in Objective as well as in hard copy at the relevant water treatment plants. These include; Chlorine Safety Checklist (Document # A291517), Daily Checklist Bootawa Dam (Document # A284494) and Fluoridation of the Manning Water Supply (Document # A284386). A control philosophy document for Bootawa Water Treatment Plant is located at the WTP and in MidCoast Water’s document management system refer to MA4 1001- IY005 Control Philosophy Rev D 150411 (Document # A329865). It details information such as; control system hardware, main plant control and details of each stage of treatment process and maintenance requirements. Bootawa Dam Operations and Maintenance Manual (Document #A321748) is specific to the management of the storage dam. Refer also to Bootawa Water Treatment Plant O & M Manual (Document # fA17973).

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Operational procedures relating to algal management in Bootawa Dam are documented in MidCoast Water Bootawa Dam Cyanobacterial Monitoring and Management Plan 2005 (Document # A225013) also included in APPENDIX 7. The documentation of Integrated Site Management Plans (including Work Method Statements and Operational and Maintenance Manuals) has been identified as a requirement for all MidCoast Water sites including water treatment plants. The plans are currently in the development stage. This is an ongoing process based on priority and details are presented in Section 30.2 Drinking Water Quality Management Improvement Plan.

6.1.1 WORK METHOD STATEMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES MidCoast Water operational staff utilise work method statements and risk management procedures for guidance to ensure tasks are completed safely and to an acceptable level. These are stored in Objective and can be accessed by all employees. The procedures are updated as required and approved by section managers. Some examples of these procedures (relating to drinking water tasks) are as follows; 



Asset Maintenance o

Water mains re-wrapping

o

Installation of new fire service

o

Disconnection of existing water service

Asset Response o

Swabbing water mains

o

Installation of new water service

o

Water mains repair

o

Scheduled water mains flushing

o

Installation of backflow prevention device

o

Changing water meters

o

Water leak detection

o

Under road bore



Assets / Plant WHS Operational Risk Management



Biological Hazards WHS Operational Risk Management



Manual Handling WHS Operational Risk Management.

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Improved documentation of work method statements is an ongoing process, discussed in Section 30.2 Drinking Water Quality Management Improvement Plan. These procedures are relevant to all water supply systems and will not be repeated in each supply description.

6.2 OPERATIONAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM Operational monitoring is used to confirm that preventive measures to reduce hazards are in place and performing effectively. These preventive measures are applied throughout all stages of the water supply system, from catchment to tap and need to be checked regularly. Operational monitoring is needed at points within the system where if a problem is identified, corrective action can be applied (including Critical Control Points). For more detailed information, refer to Section 5.2 Critical Control Points. Operational water quality monitoring for the Manning Water Supply Scheme includes testing of: 

Water in the Manning River upstream of the extraction point



Water extracted from the river and pumped to Bootawa Dam



Water in Bootawa Dam



Water at 11 different stages of treatment at WTP



Water pumped into bulk storage reservoirs



Water in the servicing reservoirs

A combination of monitoring methods is used. On-line instruments are used to record operationally significant parameters. Samples are collected by operators and tested at the operational laboratory at Bootawa WTP; or collected by sampling staff from the Quality and Environmental Impact section and tested at the MidCoast Water Laboratory. Some samples are sent to subcontracted laboratories for testing of parameters MidCoast Water Laboratory is not accredited for. An automated water quality station is located near the river intake. Water from the river is pumped by the designated sampling pump into the station. Temperature, conductivity, turbidity and pH are measured on-line. Total phosphorus and dissolved reactive phosphorus are measured several times a day (two to four) depending on the needs by a Greenspan on-line analyser. In April 2007 and May 2013 raw water from the river was tested for radiological quality with no radiation found. Bootawa Dam is equipped with temperature sensors measuring temperature profile on-line at one metre intervals and two dissolved oxygen meters at the surface and 6 metres deep. All on-line testing results, both from the river and the dam, are displayed live on the operator computer screen

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using SCADA system. Reports from SCADA are available on the web for other MidCoast Water staff daily. Chlorine readings after chlorination are measured on-line and are available on SCADA as well as measured daily by the operator. Chlorine readings are also taken at reference points within the reticulation system to establish the appropriate chlorine dose for a given chlorinator or booster chlorinator. Additionally, samples of the water pumped from the river, at the dam (including discrete samples at 2 metres and 11 metres deep and composite) and water pumped to the reticulation system are collected by the operator. At the same time the dam dissolved oxygen, temperature and turbidity profile is measured to confirm on-line readings. Samples are tested at the MidCoast Water laboratory or sent to other laboratories once a month in winter and twice a month in summer. Samples are tested for basic physical parameters (pH, colour, and turbidity), nutrients, microbiological parameters (E .coli and total coliforms) metals, chlorophyll and fluoride. Water quality is tested at eight sites throughout the WTP. Details are presented in the table below. Table 9: Operational monitoring at Bootawa WTP

Sample Site

Stage of treatment

On-line Monitoring

Operational WTP Laboratory Parameters

Laboratory Parameters

S1

Raw water

pH, turbidity

Temperature, pH, turbidity

Fe, Mn, Al, pH, turbidity, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, total hardness, apparent colour, true colour, total coliforms, E. coli, strontium, cadmium, cyanide and silver

S2

Dosed water

pH

pH

S4

After micro filtration

Turbidity

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S6

Inflow to ozonation

DOC

DOC, turbidity

DOC

S7

After ozonation

DOC

DOC

DOC

S10

Treated water final

pH, chlorine, fluoride

pH, turbidity, free chlorine, total chlorine, temperature, conductivity

Fe, Mn, Al, pH, turbidity, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, total hardness, true colour, total coliforms, E. coli, DOC, free chlorine, total chlorine, conductivity, TDS, fluoride and langelier index

S13

Outflow from clarifiers

Turbidity

Turbidity

S14

After polymer dosing to centrifuge inlet

Sludge flow, pump speed

The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) is calculated from operational monitoring at the after chlorination site. The LSI is an approximate indicator of the degree of saturation of calcium carbonate in water. It is calculated using the pH, alkalinity, calcium concentration, total dissolved solids, and water temperature of a water sample collected at the tap. If the LSI is; 

Negative, then the water is under saturated with calcium carbonate and will tend to be corrosive in the distribution system



Positive, then the water is over saturated with calcium carbonate and will tend to deposit calcium carbonate forming scales in the distribution system



Neutral (close to zero), then the water is just saturated with calcium carbonate and will neither be strongly corrosive or scale forming.

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The Langelier Saturation Index is one of several tools used by water operators for stabilising water to control both internal corrosion and the deposition of scale. Extra parameters were added to raw water testing in 2014, due to the presence of mining in the Manning River catchment; including strontium, cadmium, cyanide and silver. These parameters are also measured in Gloucester raw water (Manning River catchment) and Stroud raw water (Karuah River Catchment). Fluoride testing is performed and reported at the fluoride dosing point according to the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 (Document # A407529), Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Regulation 2012 (Document # A442282 ) and NSW Code of Practice for the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies 2011 (Document # A322675) also included as APPENDIX 14. The target concentration of fluoride in the water is 1.0mg/L within an operating range of 0.9mg/L – 1.5 mg/L in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies. Fluoride levels are monitored daily at the WTP. There are seven weekly monitoring points for fluoride throughout the reticulation system, also monitored by operators. Daily and weekly results are recorded on NSW Health Form 4 and entered into the NSW Drinking Water Database in the first week of each month by the Product Quality Systems Officer. Operational water quality testing is performed at the reservoirs and after chlorination booster points by MidCoast Water sampling staff. This includes testing for basic physical parameters, chlorine (infield), microbiological parameters and metals. The testing is done fortnightly. Basic physical parameters and microbiological parameters are tested on the arrival to the MidCoast Water Laboratory. Non-complying or unusual results are notified immediately to Service Delivery staff using Presumptive Microbiological Notification Form (Document # A236999) or Physical Notification Form (Document # A237839). Samples for algal cell counts and algal toxicity, if required, are collected from Bootawa Dam and final treated water sites and sent to external laboratories for analysis. In general algal counts are performed on a composite sample from Bootawa Dam weekly. Water quality in the river varies in relation to flows. Generally if flows are high, turbidity and nutrients increase. This varies depending on which sub catchment the majority of the flow is coming from. If water is being pumped from the river for storage in the dam, raw water quality in the river is of particular importance. During the warmer months Bootawa Dam can experience algal blooms. In an effort to prevent these blooms, there are targets for turbidity and phosphorus when pumping from the river to the dam. Details of algal bloom history, monitoring programs, prevention and treatment strategies are documented in MidCoast Water Bootawa Dam Cyanobacterial Monitoring and Management Plan (Document # A225013), also contained in APPENDIX 7.

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Since the new WTP began operating in 2010, water quality results have changed significantly which is noted in both operational and verification monitoring. These trends will be discussed in detail in Section 7: Verification of Drinking Water Quality of the Manning Water Supply System.

6.3 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Failure to meet target criteria or critical limits will result in immediate corrective actions. Critical Control Points have been covered in Section 5.2 Critical Control Points, including monitoring requirements, corrective actions, assigned responsibilities and record keeping methods. For example, compromised integrity of raw water quality in the river or dam requires immediate action to ensure the safety of the water supply (refer to Critical Control Points for Manning Water Supply System – updated 2014 contained in APPENDIX 6). Operational monitoring also includes samples collected at after chlorination sites and reservoirs throughout the reticulation system. Parameters tested at these sites are the same as those tested at customer’s taps and public areas throughout the reticulation system (verification monitoring). This is covered in more detail in Section 7 Verification of Drinking Water Quality for the Manning Water Supply System.

6.4 EQUIPMENT CAPABILITY AND MAINTENANCE MidCoast Water’s Asset Management team operates the asset management system using Assetic’s myData software. This system is a central strategic register and asset management system for all asset classes and includes in-built reporting, condition assessment and life-cycle costing information. myData has been integrated with myPredictor for a complete strategic asset management planning and operational system. From this system, work orders are created and allocated to field staff to carry out maintenance schedules of all assets across the organisation. Asset management business process is based on the International PAS 55 methodology. The management of assets is documented in detail in Asset Management Strategy (Document # A346258) which was approved by MidCoast Water Board of Councillors in 2012. Operational on-line monitoring equipment calibration and maintenance is managed by the Asset Management team, described above. Field monitoring equipment calibration is carried out at the MidCoast Water Laboratory. The laboratory has NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) accreditation for microbiology and chemistry. The MidCoast Water Laboratory Quality Manual (Document # A295475), procedures and other documentation including equipment maintenance

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and calibrations are subject to regular NATA audits. Calibration process compliance of high priority monitoring equipment is reported annually to NSW Office of Water under Water Utility Performance reporting. As a part of the reporting process calibration records are checked during an external audit every three years.

6.5 MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS MidCoast Water has a Procurement Policy (Document # B379420) and accompanying Procurement Procedure (Document # B379422) in place. All purchased materials and chemicals have to comply with MidCoast Water quality standards. The aim of the policy is to ensure that all plant, materials and services that are purchased are of high quality, appropriate to the workplace and competitively priced. This applies to the entire organisation including all WTPs. Current materials used for the Manning Water Supply are listed below including storage details. All products used in the water supply are approved, stored securely and used in accordance with Work Cover licences. Table 10: Chemicals stored at Bootawa WTP

Chemical

Amount

System

Sulphuric Acid

1800 l

Liquid bulk storage

Citric Acid

1800 l

Liquid bulk storage

Sodium Hypochlorite

2000 l

Liquid bulk storage

Caustic Soda

7800 l

Liquid bulk storage

Aluminium Chlorohydrate

14800 l

Liquid bulk storage

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Sodium Metabisulphate

1800 l

Liquid bulk storage

Lime

85 cu/m

Bulk powder

Soda Ash

40 cu/m

Bulk powder

Chlorine

3680 kg

4 * 920 kg drums

Sodium Silicofluoride

7000 kg

25 kg bags

Polymer

1000 kg

25 kg bags

Carbon Dioxide

30000 l

Liquid bulk storage

Ozone Gas

Coptrol Algaecide

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6000 l

Liquid bulk storage

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7. VERIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY FOR THE MANNING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 5) Verification monitoring is the final check of water quality which confirms the effectiveness of preventive measures and barriers throughout the system. It also includes monitoring customer satisfaction which can provide valuable information on potential problems in the system. Any rapid or noticeable change in conditions including water quality, pressure etc. may be detected by customers. All complaints are registered and investigated. Further details are provided in Section 7.2 Customer Complaints Management System. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines recognise that it is impossible to test every water supply for every parameter listed in the guidelines, therefore monitoring programs need to be structured effectively to capture, analyse and interpret water quality data. Selecting parameters and frequency of monitoring should be based on system analysis and risk assessment to ensure safety at point of use. It is recognised that the most likely and serious form of contamination risk comes from microbiological contamination. MidCoast Water’s drinking water quality monitoring program has been designed based on these principles.

7.1 DRINKING WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM Samples are taken throughout the reticulation system at customer’s taps or public reserves for water quality monitoring. Testing is carried out at MidCoast Water’s Laboratory. The laboratory is NATA accredited for all tests performed. Samples are sent to other NATA accredited laboratories to be tested for parameters for which MidCoast Water Laboratory is not accredited, e.g. Sydney Water or NSW Health Laboratory; NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Services (FASS). This monitoring provides an overall assessment of the system and assurance that customers are being provided with safe drinking water. Results from verification monitoring are used as compliance data for both internal reporting and external reporting to regulators. Operators of the water supply system and the Product Quality Systems Officer are responsible for reviewing results of verification monitoring and reviewing trends which may have water quality implications. Key characteristics of weekly verification monitoring include; 

Chlorine residual and temperature



E. coli as bacterial indicator



Key physical parameters

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

o

pH

o

Turbidity

o

True colour

Key chemical parameters o



Metals such as iron, manganese and aluminium

Fluoride levels

For details of the monitoring program refer to Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program Master 05-14 (Document # A338224) and Drinking Water Sampling Runs Master (Document # A338230). Numbers of samples, parameters and sampling site locations have been selected according to the requirements included in the Drinking Water Monitoring Program December 2005 (updated 2011) (Document # A408944) also contained in APPENDIX 8, developed by NSW Health with substantial extension of the program in regard to physical and chemical parameters. Sample collection procedures have been developed to comply with the department recommendations. Refer to Sample Collection Drinking Water (Document # A279737), Sample Collection Surface Water (Document # A276646) and Determination of Temperature and Chlorine Residuals in Water (Document # A303397). Microbiological results are entered into NSW Health Water Quality Database. MidCoast Water also participates directly in the chemistry component of NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program. Samples for chemical testing are collected by the operator and sent to NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service (FASS) Laboratory. The Manning Water Supply Scheme has 12 chemistry samples allocated per year which include fluoride monitoring. Operators also measure fluoride levels at key reticulation sites on a weekly basis (as well as daily monitoring at the WTP). Chemicals tested in the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program are listed below; 

Aluminium



Antimony



Arsenic



Barium



Boron



Cadmium



Calcium



Chloride



Chromium

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

Copper



Fluoride



Iodine



Iron



Lead



Magnesium



Manganese



Mercury



Molybdenum



Nickel



Nitrate



Nitrite



pH



Selenium



Silver



Sodium



Sulfate



Total dissolved solids



Total hardness



True colour



Turbidity



Zinc

Chemicals which are identified in the ADWG as priority chemicals are monitored quarterly at key reticulation sites. Included in this list are chemicals which have previously been detected in the water supply, by-products of the treatment process or parameters identified as a priority specific to the catchment (e.g. related to mining activities). These include soluble aluminium, antimony, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, nitrate, selenium and zinc. Disinfection by-products are monitored on a quarterly basis at key reticulation sites throughout the Manning Supply System. Parameters include total trihalomethanes and chloroacetic acids. Radiological parameters are measured in raw water of all MidCoast Water supplies every five years as recommended in ADWG 2011. The most recent radiological testing was undertaken in 2013 at ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation). A screening procedure is used to determine the presence of total radioactivity in the water. Results from all samples analysed are well

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below the screening level. For further details refer to Drinking Water Quality Report July 2012 – June 2013 (Radiological Monitoring Program section) (Document # A420855). Pesticides in the Manning supply are monitored as part of specialised monitoring programs, as detailed in Section 4.1.1 Catchment Management and 7.1.1 NSW Aboriginal Water & Sewerage Program. Water quality results are best viewed in a reporting format required by NSW Health, presented on an annual basis at the JSG meeting in October. The report details both operational and compliance data and provides comparisons to previous years to highlight long term trends. Refer to Drinking Water Quality Report July 2012 – June 2013 (Document # A420855). Since the Bootawa WTP began operation in November 2010, water quality results have improved significantly. Compliance of all parameters has improved, (turbidity compliance improved from 98.9 % during 2009 – 2010 to 100% during 2012 - 2013) or remained steady (true colour compliance has remained at 100% since before the new WTP became operational). The high level of treatment ensures the water leaving the treatment plant is of excellent quality. However, there has been the occasional detection of E. coli in the Manning system. Details of these detections are provided in the previously mentioned report; Drinking Water Quality Report July 2012 – June 2013 (Document # A420855). The response to such detections including corrective action and reporting is detailed in Section 7.4 Corrective Action. The water quality characteristics of the Manning supply prior to the filtration plant were significantly different to what customers enjoy today. The process now removes more organic material which can present new challenges to treatment and distribution. There were initially some issues with water stability which resulted in elevated pH at the ends of the long reticulation system. This has been greatly improved by adjusting dosage rates of chemicals at the WTP to ensure the water does not become aggressive or scaling as it moves through the long network of pipes. Overall chemical compliance of this system is consistently high (compliance of key chemical parameters during 2012 – 2013 was 99.9%). There is an extensive list of other chemical parameters measured monthly (for the NSW Health program) including metals and nutrients (listed above). Disinfection by-products are measured quarterly. Compliance is consistently high (100% during 2012 – 2013).

7.1.1 NSW ABORIGINAL WATER & SEWERAGE PROGRAM MidCoast Water participates in the NSW Office of Water Aboriginal Water and Sewerage Program, which began in 2011. The aim of the program is to ensure water and sewerage services are provided to the local Aboriginal communities of Purfleet and Tobwabba at an equivalent standard to the Document Number A461950

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wider community. Purfleet Aboriginal Water and Sewerage Management Plan (Document # A441839) and Tobwabba (Cabarita) Aboriginal Water and Sewerage Management Plan (Document # A441840) are also contained in APPENDIX 9. The management plans include water quality monitoring at reticulation sites within these communities. Parameters tested are E. coli, key physical and chemical parameters, disinfection by-products and pesticides. The program is reviewed by NSW Office of Water on an annual basis. These reticulation sites are incorporated in MidCoast Water’s regular drinking water quality monitoring program.

7.2 CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MidCoast Water has a Complaints Management Policy (Document # A28495) in place. Recording and analysing the number and nature of customer complaints can reveal problems not captured by the water quality testing and are part of verification of water supply performance. Most customer complaints are made by calling MidCoast Water’s enquiries and emergencies phone number 1300 133 455. The number is in operation 24 hours 7 days per week. During business hours calls are answered by customer service staff and after hours by the on-call staff. Each complaint is registered in the MidCoast Water corporate computer system Civic View. Water quality complaints are registered in the following categories: 

Customer Service



Operation



Customer Response o

Water Quality Chlorination

o

Water Quality Dirty

o

Water Quality Smelly

o

Water Quality Taste

o

Water Quality Testing

A work order is generated automatically and customer service staff allocate it to the appropriate customer response field staff. The work order is linked to the customer’s property. Information about action taken to deal with the complaint is entered into the system by the customer response staff member dealing with the complaint. Work orders can be searched on the system using the complaints category with information recorded by customer service and customer response staff. Level of customer complaints in various

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categories are discussed during routine fortnightly Service Delivery meetings. They are also reported to the board every quarter. Customer complaints can also be made through the MidCoast Water website email system. Customer service staff forward the complaint to the responsible officer for actioning. These emails are captured in the MidCoast Water document system Objective. Water quality complaints from 2006/2007 to 2012/2013 are presented in the table below. These complaints include; taste (including chlorine), smell and dirty water.

Manning Water Quality Complaints Complaints per year

1200 1000 800

WTP began operations

600 400 200 0

Figure 24: Water quality complaints in the Manning water supply 2004 - 2013 Prior to the WTP, most water quality complaints were related to taste and odour associated with algae. These mainly occurred over the summer months. For the first few months after commissioning of the WTP, dirty water complaints were common as the existing distribution system coped with the new, highly treated water which had higher levels of chlorine than previously. This caused biofilms to drop from the pipes. An intensive flushing program accompanied the commissioning, and since that time water quality complaints have declined.

7.3 SHORT-TERM EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY RESULTS Water quality data is reviewed daily or weekly by operators and exceptions are investigated by a member of the DWQMP team to ensure adjustments to operations are made to address abnormal results. Data is reviewed against the operating standards and limits set for each asset and adjustments made to ensure the function of any asset or process remains optimised.

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Where water quality issues are identified initially by customer complaints, water quality data is reviewed, additional samples taken where necessary and corrections made to manage the source of the issue. Where issues are found to be systematic or recurring, amendments are made using these short-term evaluations and addressed in the corrective actions process to improve the DWQMP performance. Incidents are reported and recorded under MidCoast Water’s Incident Management Procedures. Refer to Drinking Water Incident Reporting Template (Document # A229934) also contained in APPENDIX 10. Where an issue results in a potential health risk, MidCoast Water reports to NSW Health as agreed under the MOU between NSW Health and MidCoast Water (APPENDIX 1).

7.4 CORRECTIVE ACTION This section refers to samples collected in the reticulation system for the purpose of water quality verification. When water quality samples do not comply with ADWG, the respective corrective actions are recorded in the Water Compliance Action Sheet (Document # A369689). Corrective action is carried out according to response protocols included in NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program 2005 updated October 2011 (Document # A408944 ) and contained in APPENDIX 8). Specific protocols are combined into two groups; microbiological or physical and chemical non compliances. Details are provided in the following sections.

7.4.1 MICROBIOLOGICAL NON-COMPLIANCES MidCoast Water follows the NSW Health Response Protocols for managing water quality incidents including the detection of E. coli in the drinking water supply system. If E. coli is detected in a sample collected from the drinking water supply system, MidCoast Water Laboratory notifies Product Quality Systems Officer and Quality and Environmental Impact Manager by phone followed by email sent to designated staff using Presumptive Microbiological Notification form (Document # A236999). Product Quality Systems Officer notifies Hunter New England Population Health about the noncompliance via email or phone and the use of Drinking Water Incident Reporting Template (Document # A229934), also included in APPENDIX 10. In the case of Manning Water Supply, the Customer Response Manager is consulted and investigations take place to determine possible cause of non-compliance. If the cause of non-compliance is determined it is rectified as soon as possible.

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Chlorine levels are increased in the system by adding chlorine at the closest practical point to the site of E. coli detection (e.g. corresponding reservoir), and the area is flushed to draw the chlorine through the system. A resample is taken. If there is no E. coli detected in the resample, normal sampling is resumed. If E. coli is detected in the resample, further consultation is carried out with the Quality & Environmental Impact Manager, Customer Response Manager and the local health unit and other MidCoast Water and NSW Health employees as required, including assessment of the level of risk the non-compliance poses to public health and possible actions taken to rectify the problem. Further investigation of the water supply system is undertaken including a sanitary survey and more intensive sampling at the same site and other sites throughout the distribution system. The need for boil water advice is discussed between MidCoast Water and the local health unit. To assist with the decision of whether a boil water advice is the best course of action a contamination investigation is carried out aiming to; 

Determine the origin of the contamination o

Is contamination present in the water leaving the treatment plan or localised to one section of the distribution system?

o 

Is there evidence of pre or post treatment contamination?

Determine time and scale of contamination.

If it is determined that boil water advice is required to protect public health this will be implemented by MidCoast Water. A boil water advice template has been developed by MidCoast Water which is adjusted depending on the area(s) affected and approved by the local health unit before being communicated to customers. MidCoast Water Boil Water Advice Template (Document # A414898) is attached as APPENDIX 11. For non-compliances posing unacceptable risk to public health a protocol in Section 24, Management of Incidents & Emergencies will apply. This section also includes methods of communication of this advice to customers. Corrective actions for Blue Green Algae blooms are extensive and details can be found in Bootawa Dam Cyanobacterial Monitoring & Management Plan (Document # A225013), contained in APPENDIX 7.

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7.4.2 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL NON-COMPLIANCES Physical non compliances are reported to Product Quality Systems Officer by MidCoast Water Laboratory staff upon detection by email using MidCoast Water Laboratory Physical Notification Form (Document # A237839). The most common physical non-compliance in the Manning Water Supply Scheme is slightly elevated pH due to water having contact with concrete reservoirs (especially new concrete reservoirs) and the extensive reticulation system, which covers a large area. pH: A high pH non-compliance requires notification to the Customer Response Manager and flushing may be organised through the work order system. Low pH results would follow the same procedure but would require further investigation as this is unexpected in the Manning Water Supply Scheme. Turbidity: High turbidity results require notification to the Customer Response Manager. The affected area is investigated and a resample is taken. Flushing is organised through the work order system. If the resample result is >5 NTU sampling of the affected area is increased to determine the source of the problem. If turbidity problems are ongoing, extra E. coli samples would also be taken to ensure the microbiological quality of the drinking water. True colour: True colour has not been a problem in the Manning Water Supply Scheme, but if it was to occur, the corrective actions would be the same as other physical non compliances. Metals: If non-compliance occurs in a sample for metals the Customer Response Manager is notified, the system is investigated and flushing may be carried out. A resample is taken. If the resample is compliant, normal sampling is resumed. If the resample is non-compliant, further investigations and sampling are undertaken to determine the source of the problem. Disinfection by-products: A non-compliant disinfection by-product result is notifiable to the Customer Response Manager followed by a resample. If the resample is compliant, normal sampling resumes. If the resample is non-compliant investigations will be undertaken to determine if the noncompliance is isolated or throughout the system and other disinfection by-products may be tested. Results would be reported to the local health unit. Fluoride: Dosing equipment is managed so the feed rate of the chemical and the flow rate of the water will not allow an overdose of fluoride to occur. In the event of a fluoride dosing incident or interruption of greater than 24 hours, NSW Health is to be notified using Fluoride Dosing Incident Notification Form 5 (stating details of the incident or interruption including extent, times, water volume affected, remedial action taken, and what actions MidCoast Water intend to take to minimise the risk of the same event occurring again). These reports are also stored in the MidCoast Water document management system Fluoride DoH Correspondence (Folder # fA14666). Refer to Fluoride Form 5 Interruption to Dosing – MASTER (Document # A343849) contained in APPENDIX 12.

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While there have been scheduled interruptions to fluoride dosing and slight under dosing, MidCoast Water has never had a fluoride incident during its years of operation. Any other non-compliance and subsequent corrective action follow similar procedures and documentation. Management of incidents and emergencies is covered in Section 24.

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8. ASSESSMENT OF THE BULAHDELAH DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 2)

8.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY The Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme supplies drinking water to the residents of Bulahdelah. The township of Bulahdelah is located at the entrance to the Myall Lakes in the Great Lakes local government area, approximately 98 km north of Newcastle and 74 km south of Taree. The Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme includes; 

Crawford River raw water intake



Raw water pump station



Water treatment plant



Two reservoirs



Distribution pipe network

This scheme serves approximately 500 houses (population approx. 1200). The Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme originated in the 1960s. The water treatment plant (WTP) was built in 1988 and upgraded in 1995 and 2006. The current WTP has a capacity to treat 2 ML/day with a reservoir storage capacity of 4ML which is considered adequate to meet the future growth.

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8.1.1 CRAWFORD CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

Figure 25: Great Lakes catchment map The Crawford River Catchment covers an area of approximately 122 km2. The main water course of the catchment is the Crawford River which is fed by several mostly ephemeral water courses (Tyack, 2008). The majority of the upper catchment is forested land managed by National Parks & Wildlife Service and State Forests. Agriculture dominates land use in the lower catchment. The Crawford Catchment forms part of the tradition land of the Worimi people (ABC, 2014). The Bulahdelah Water Supply sources water from Crawford River for treatment and supply to the town. As part of MidCoast Water’s Sustainable Water Cycle Management Strategy, refer to MKGL Sustainable Water Cycle Management August 2008 – Final Report No. 4 (Document # A353038 ) Crawford Catchment has been identified as a priority area for further research and on-ground work to improve water quality in the catchment. Extensive water quality monitoring has identified poor raw water quality when compared to other catchment areas in which MidCoast Water operates, specifically low pH, high turbidity, high colour and elevated levels of nutrients, metals, sediments and faecal coliforms. A holistic approach has been taken aiming to improve water quality at the catchment level as part of the ‘catchment to tap’ management approach of operating water supply systems. Great Lakes Council, on behalf of MidCoast Water has developed GLC Crawford River Catchment Management Plan V2 (Document # A318857).

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Aims of the management plan are to use a whole of catchment approach to identify possible sources of water contamination and make recommendations to improve the overall health of the catchment (Tyack, 2008). A wide range of data collection processes were undertaken with a strong focus on stakeholder involvement. These include; 

Collation of physical and historical information



Land use mapping o

Land tenure

o

Vegetation and soil types

o

Land capability and vulnerability

o

Potential pollution sources

o

Local and regional vegetation corridors

o

Threatened species



Riparian health assessment



Gravel road audit



Water quality analysis



iCAM modelling (Integrated Catchment Assessment and Management Centre): predictive models of catchment and estuary processes to estimate pollutant loads entering waterways and the resulting impacts on ecological condition.

Community engagement strategies were utilised as an important tool to ensure legitimacy and longterm effectiveness of land management planning (Tyack, 2008). This was aimed at identifying, understanding and resolving water quality and land management issues by involving private landholders, government landholders, Bulahdelah community organisations and the Bulahdelah general community (Tyack, 2008). Background information, data collection, survey results and involvement from stakeholders has resulted in a variety of projects aimed at improving land management practices to protect and improve water quality in the Crawford Catchment. These projects and plans are listed below, including relevant stakeholders; 

Participants: MidCoast Water, private landholders (Sustainable Grazing Group), Great Lakes Council (GLC), Karuah Great Lakes Landcare (KGL), Hunter Local Land Services (LLS).

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o

MidCoast Water - Sustainable Water Cycle Management Strategy identified the need for a Catchment Management Plan

o

Protective fencing (main focus is on weir pool)

o

Off-stream stock watering systems

o

Erosion control

o

Weed management

o

Conservation instruments (property vegetation plans and biodiversity development offsets)



o

Soils tests

o

Improving grazing practices

Forests NSW (State Forests) o

Compliance checks, training, audits in regards to forest management and timber harvesting

o 



Forest Practice Codes

Department of Environment & Climate Change (National Parks) o

Soil rehabilitation and road closures

o

Roadside sediment control training for staff members

Great Lakes Council o

Catchment Management Plan (with MidCoast Water)

o

Catchment models used as a tool to predict impact of changing management practices on water quality (with MidCoast Water)

o

Water Quality Improvement Plan

o

Collaboration with various agencies to implement projects

o

Best practice roads maintenance (including training staff)

o

Major roadwork project (with Hunter LLS) rebuilding crossing of Crawford River resulting in erosion and sediment control

To improve the overall health of the Crawford catchment, a set of management actions have been recommended. They target both protection and remediation. Some general recommendations

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include; establishment of riparian reserves, consider establishment of funds to purchase river frontage properties and a focus on the headwaters of Wild Cattle Creek (Tyack, 2008). Other recommendations were targeted at the responsibilities of specific stakeholders including; landholders, Forests NSW, Department of Environment & Climate Change and Great Lakes Council. The role of MidCoast Water is to act as an advocate to facilitate these changes, as well as to provide technical and financial assistance where possible.

Figure 26: Weir pool near off take

Figure 27: Crawford catchment signage

8.1.2 PESTICIDES PROJECT With the support of NSW Health Water Unit and Hunter New England Population Health, MidCoast Water participated in a project with the aim of investigating the potential of pesticides to be present in drinking water catchments. Samples were collected from raw water sites of Bulahdelah, Stroud, Gloucester and Tea Gardens water supply systems every two months for a 12 month period (2013).There were no pesticides detected in any of the samples. Results were reported to, and discussed with Hunter New England Population Health at routine meetings, and a final report was compiled on completion of the project, refer to MidCoast Water Pesticides Project Final Report (Document # A440548) contained in APPENDIX 14. Results from this project were used to assist in the hazard analysis and risk assessment process for each water supply system.

8.2 BULAHDELAH WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM ANALYSIS Bulahdelah WTP is a conventional plant capable of treating 2 ML/day. The following section describes the raw water quality, treatment process, reservoirs and distribution system, details of the most recent WTP upgrade and water demands.

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8.2.1 RAW WATER QUALITY To optimise and understand the treatment process it is important to understand the characteristics of the water that is to be treated. Water extracted from the Crawford River weir is highly variable depending on rainfall in the catchment. The following is a general summary of raw water quality characteristics. 

High concentrations of metals (especially aluminium)



Elevated nutrients and sediments after rainfall



High turbidity and colour after rainfall



High TDS



Low pH



High faecal coliforms

8.2.2 PROCESS DESCRIPTION Raw water extraction Raw water is pumped from a rock filled weir pool in the Crawford River near the Pacific Highway Bridge at Bulahdelah. The total storage of the Crawford River weir is approximately 225 ML, representing a capacity of 562 days’ supply. A pump station pumps the raw water from the river through a 300mm diameter pipeline to the water treatment plant. Clarifier Chemicals are dosed into the raw water line prior to water entering the clarifier. The coagulant ACH (aluminium chlorohydrate) is added to assist particles to coagulate and settle. ACH dose rate is based on raw water quality and determined through jar testing. Polymer Magnafloc LT20 is used to assist flocculation. Chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) is dosed at this point to assist in the oxidation of metals. This allows soluble metals such as aluminium and manganese to come out of solution which can be removed in the filters further down the process. Soda ash (sodium carbonate) can be added to correct pH and assist water stabilisation. By dosing chlorine and soda ash prior to the clarifier sufficient time exists to allow oxidation reactions to take place (at appropriate pH levels). There is provision for Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) to be dosed if required to remove taste and odour issues associated with algae, however this is rarely needed. Sand filters

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Clear water is drawn from the top of the clarifier which then flows through sand filters to remove smaller particles. There are two sand filters which run together. Zeolite media is used in the filters to assist in removal of metals such as iron and manganese. Media is changed approximately every ten years. Sand filters are backwashed as needed (usually twice a week in summer and once a week in winter). Backwash water flows to sludge lagoons. Clear water tank After filtration, water enters the clear water tank where it is dosed with sodium hypochlorite to provide disinfection with a residual adequate to ensure there is no recontamination through the distribution system. Chlorine pumps start as water is gravity fed from the filters to the clear water tank. There is provision for post dosing of soda ash at this point to correct pH, however this is not required currently. As final water leaves the clear water tank to pump to the reservoirs, fluoride in the form of sodium fluoride (NaF) is added for dental hygiene as required by NSW Health. The target concentration is 1.0mg/L with the ADWG of 0.9 – 1.5 mg/L. Treated water leaves the WTP and travels to two reservoirs, before being distributed to customers through the reticulation system. Waste water management Waste water and sludge from the clarifier, filter back wash water and chemical drainage waste flows to two sludge lagoons to allow for settling before de-watering by drying in the sludge lagoons. One sludge lagoon is operational and the other used for sludge drying. During cleaning or wet weather, overflow of water from the sludge lagoons is discharged to sewer. Under normal operating conditions, supernatant from the sludge lagoons is returned to the head of the plant, where it mixes with raw water and re-enters the treatment system.

Figure 28: Bulahdelah water treatment plant

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Figure 29: Bulahdelah WTP sludge lagoons

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8.2.3 RESERVOIRS AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM As water leaves Bulahdelah WTP it is pumped to two reservoirs and then out to the distribution system. The following diagram is a schematic of the distribution system of Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme.

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CRAWFORD RIVER

KEY

BULAHDELAH WTP

Raw Water Source

RESERVOIR 1

RESERVOIR 2

Water Treatment Plant Reservoir

Pump Station

Figure 30: Bulahdelah water supply distribution system

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There are two reservoirs in the Bulahdelah Water Supply System with a combined capacity of 4 ML. They are located adjacent to the Pacific Highway at Bulahdelah, approximately 250m from the WTP. Table 11: Bulahdelah reservoirs

Reservoir

Capacity (ML)

Diameter Structure Levels (m) (m) TWL

Structure Levels (m)

Operating Levels (m)

Operating Levels (m)

BWL

TWL

BWL

Type

Bulahdelah 1

1.4

15.24

59.58

51.66

59.58

59.21

Reinforced concrete

Bulahdelah 2

2.6

20.65

60.59

52.23

59.58

59.21

Reinforced concrete

Pump Station A raw water pump station is located at the Crawford River intake. The original pump station was installed in 1964 and upgraded in the 1990s. A new pump station was installed in 2014. The pump n transfers water from the Crawford River weir pool to the WTP. Details are provided below. Table 12: Bulahdelah raw water pump station

Name

Bulahdelah WPS

Type

raw Wet well

Number of Pumps

Motor Size

Capacity

2

18.5 kW

25.3L/sec

8.2.4 RECENT WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE Bulahdelah WTP was upgraded in 2006 to optimise the treatment process. The process was automated and the chemical dosing system was renewed. The intake from the weir pool was raised to one metre below the surface of the water to ensure the best possible raw water quality could be

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utilised (in relation to dissolved oxygen and metals). Previously, stratification of the weir pool had resulted in raw water of a poorer quality being pumped from lower depths. Due to major road works and diversion of the Pacific Highway around the township of Bulahdelah in close proximity to the WTP, the treatment building was enclosed. This reduced contamination by brake dust and other traffic hazards. Enclosing the treatment building has resulted in a more stabilised temperature in the clarifier which has improved the coagulation, flocculation and settling processes. The coagulant was changed from alum (aluminium sulphate) to ACH (aluminium chlorohydrate) and polymer was added. Alkalinity consumption is much less when using ACH compared to alum, and the resulting pH correction using soda ash is reduced, therefore optimising the treatment process and reducing chemical usage. The fluoride dosing system was also upgraded. Previously fluoride was added directly to the saturator. To improve workplace health and safety by reducing risk to operators, a dissolvable bag fluoride dosing system is now used. This requires less handling of chemicals by the operators. The process was automated and operators can run the plant through SCADA, including remote operation. Information such as flows, water quality, levels of water in clarifier and clear water tank and chemical dosing are available through SCADA. Alarm systems also optimise process control. The raw water pump station at the Crawford River weir was upgraded to a wet well design in 2014 (previously dry well design).

Figure 31: Bulahdelah Reservoirs 1 and 2

Figure 32: Bulahdelah WTP clarifier

8.2.5 WATER DEMANDS Annual water consumption for the Bulahdelah Water Supply is trending downwards. Annual water consumption figures from 2004/2005 to 2013/2014 are presented in the table below. The demand figures are derived from the bulk water meter installed at the water treatment plant. Average daily consumption figure for this ten year period is 424 KL/day.

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Bulahdelah Water Consumption 250

ML/year

200 150 100 50 0

Figure 33: Bulahdelah water consumption 2004 - 2014 Water restrictions were imposed in all MidCoast Water supplies including Bulahdelah in October and November 2002 to the equivalent of Level 5 restrictions. The drought of 2013/2014 also resulted in Level 3 water restrictions. These came into effect for Bulahdelah water supply on 11 February 2014 and were lifted 3 March 2014. For more information refer to Water Restriction Levels March 2014 (Document # A445335).

8.3 ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY DATA This element was covered in detail in Section 4.3 Assessment of Drinking Water Quality Data when discussing the Manning Water Supply System, and will not be repeated here. Trends for Bulahdelah water quality data will be discussed in Section 10.2 Operational Water Quality Monitoring and Section 11 Verification of Drinking Water Quality.

8.4 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT The Bulahdelah hazard identification and risk assessment process (including intended use and consumer of water) used the same methodology as the Manning Water Supply Systems (refer to Section 4.4.1 Intended Use and Consumer of Water and Section 4.4.3 Risk Assessment Methodology).

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A workshop was held at Bulahdelah WTP in June 2013 to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme. Participants from various sections within MidCoast Water and NSW Health were invited to take part in the workshop and subsequent discussions to ensure a wide range of skills were utilised. Details of workshop participants are provided in the following table. Table 13 Bulahdelah hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop participants 2013

Name

Position & Department

Role

Expertise

Anna Kaliska

Quality & Environmental Impact Manager – Service Delivery

Water quality management

Environmental Engineer/Scientist

Lisa Andersons

Product Quality Systems OfficerService Delivery

Water quality coordination

Environmental Scientist Water quality

Workshop facilitator

Walter Chitsike

Senior Chemist Service Delivery (Laboratory)

Supervision of water testing (chemistry)

Water chemistry

Tim Manusu

Senior MicrobiologistService Delivery (Laboratory)

Supervision of water testing (microbiology) and on-line instrumentation servicing

Water microbiology

Glenn Cook

Process Control Service Delivery

Operator in charge of Bulahdelah WTP

Water treatment and distribution

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Linda Brook Franklin

Environmental Scientist

Compliance & Liaison OfficerService Delivery

Trade Waste Management and backup for water quality coordination

Garry Northam

Treatment & Storage Manager Service Delivery

Management of treatment and reticulation systems, and customer response

Water treatment and distribution

Chenxi Zeng

Process Engineer Service Delivery

Investigation & design of process improvement

Chemical Engineer

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8.4.1 BULAHDELAH FLOW DIAGRAM The following diagram was produced for the purpose of conducting a risk assessment.

Bulahdelah Water Supply Flow Diagram Step

Description

Responsibility

Catchment

Great Lakes Council, HCR LLS, NSW Office of Water, NSW EPA, NSW DPI, catchment landowners, Department of Planning and other stakeholders

Weir pool

MidCoast Water

Intake

NSW Office of Water

Transfer to WTP

Coagulation

MidCoast Water

Flocculation Settling Clarification Pre-Dose Chlorine Waste water stream (supernatant return from sludge lagoons)

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Sand filtration

MidCoast Water

Chlorination

MidCoast Water

Fluoridation

MidCoast Water

Transfer to reservoirs and MidCoast Water storage

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Distribution

MidCoast Water

Meter box

MidCoast Water

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Household use

Customer

Figure 34: Bulahdelah water supply flow diagram

8.4.2 RISK ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES From the hazard analysis and risk assessment workshop, a comprehensive document was produced. It detailed all hazards that were identified throughout each step in water supply management from catchment to customers’ taps, preventive measures in place and risk assigned to each hazard. Refer to Bulahdelah WSS Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (Document # A434147) also included in APPENDIX 15. One high risk was identified during the process. Extra preventive measures have now been put in place to reduce the risk. It has now been reassessed as a moderate risk. Details are presented in the table below.

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Table 14: Risk assessment outcomes – Bulahdelah water supply Hazard

Chlorination E. coli

Hazardous Event/Cause

Chlorine pump failure

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Existing Preventive Measures

SCADA alarms Redundancy Spare pumps and parts Daily inspection of equipment Qualified operators following correct procedures Flow recordings in operator log and SCADA Monitoring chlorine and other parameters throughout different stages of treatment In-line chlorine meter alarmed for shutdown Process alarms Storage in reservoirs Water quality monitoring for E. coli, chlorine and turbidity at WTP, reservoirs and retic system MOU with NSW Health (boil water advice)

Extra Preventive Measures 2012

New in-line chlorine and turbidity meter installed and alarmed for shutdown (previously not very reliable)

98

Current Risk Likelihood

Consequence to Customer

Level of Risk

D

3

MODERATE

MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Management Plan

9. PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN BULAHDELAH WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 3)

9.1 PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND MULTIPLE BARRIERS System specific preventive measures to reduce hazards in Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme were identified during the risk assessment process. All hazards and preventive measures were considered throughout each step from catchment to tap. These preventive measures are documented Bulahdelah WSS Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (Document # A434147) also included in APPENDIX 15 as discussed in the previous section.

9.2 CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS A critical control point is defined as a point, step or procedure at which control can be applied and a hazard can be prevented, eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels. All significant hazards identified through the risk assessment process need to be managed to ensure the risk is reduced to an acceptable level. Detailed information sheets developed based on HACCP system requirements for CCPs identified are contained in Critical Control Points for Bulahdelah Water Supply System (Document # A452940) and attached as APPENDIX 16. The following critical control points have been identified in this system; 

Settled water turbidity



Final water turbidity



Post dose chlorine

The following information is included in the sheets; 

Operational, alert and critical limits



Monitoring requirements



Corrective action

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

Assigned responsibility



Record keeping methods

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10. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESS CONTROL FOR BULAHDELAH WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 4) Some details of this element have been covered in Section 6 Operational Procedures and Process Control for the Manning Water Supply System. Where details or processes differ to the Manning Supply, information will be provided in this section. Information common to all MidCoast Water water supply systems will not be repeated here including Work Method Statements and Risk Management Procedures and Equipment Capability and Maintenance.

10.1 OPERATIONAL PLANS AND PROCEDURES This element was covered in Section 6.1 Operational Plans and Procedures when discussing the Manning Water Supply System and will not be repeated here. Bulahdelah WTP has an operational manual, Operating and Maintenance Instructions Volume 1 & 2 (Document # A436801 and A446850). The original hard copies are stored at the plant, and electronic copies are stored on Objective. Although some of the processes have been superseded due to upgrades and technological improvements, most of the manual is still relevant to how the plant operates. It includes details such as; equipment, operations, suppliers, calculations and lab testing. The documentation of Integrated Site Management Plans (including Work Method Statements and Operational and Maintenance Manuals) has been identified as a requirement for all MidCoast Water sites including water treatment plants. This is an ongoing process based on priority and details are presented in Section 30.2 Drinking Water Quality Management Improvement Plan.

10.2 OPERATIONAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING Operational monitoring is used to confirm that preventive measures to reduce hazards are in place and performing effectively. These preventive measures are applied throughout all stages of the water supply system, from catchment to tap and need to be checked regularly. Operational monitoring is needed at points within the system where, if a problem is identified, corrective action can be applied (including critical control points). For more detailed information on CCPs, refer to Section 9.2 Critical Control Points. Operational water quality monitoring for the Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme includes testing of:

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

Water in the Crawford River weir



Water at three different stages of treatment at WTP



Water in the servicing reservoirs

A combination of monitoring methods is used. On-line instruments are used to record operationally significant parameters. Samples are collected by operators and tested at the operational laboratory at Bulahdelah WTP; or collected by field staff and tested at MidCoast Water’s NATA accredited laboratory. Some samples are sent to subcontracted laboratories for testing of parameters MidCoast Water Laboratory is not accredited for (e.g. metals). Turbidity of raw water is monitored with on-line instrumentation. Chlorine and turbidity readings after chlorination are measured on-line and available on SCADA as well as daily by the operator. Details of operational monitoring sites and parameters are presented in the table below.

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Table 15: Operational monitoring at Bulahdelah WTP

Sample Site

Stage of treatment

On-line Monitoring

Operational WTP Lab Parameters

NATA Laboratory Parameters

BLWE

Raw water

Turbidity

Turbidity, true colour, pH, soluble aluminium

Temperature, pH, turbidity, true colour, TDS, conductivity, total coliforms, E. coli, alkalinity, calcium hardness, total hardness, total and filterable iron, manganese and aluminium

Settled water

BLAC

Treated water after chlorination

Turbidity, true colour, pH

Turbidity, chlorine

Turbidity, colour, pH, soluble aluminium, chlorine, fluoride

Temperature, total and free chlorine, pH, turbidity, true colour, TDS, conductivity, total coliforms, E. coli, alkalinity, calcium hardness, total hardness, total and filterable iron, manganese and aluminium, sodium, sulphate and langelier index

Fluoride testing is performed and reported at the fluoride dosing point according to the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 (Document # A407529), Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Regulation 2012 (Document # A442282 ) and NSW Code of Practice for the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies 2011 (Document # A322675) also included as APPENDIX 13. The target concentration of fluoride in the water is 1.0mg/L within an operating range of 0.9mg/L – 1.5 mg/L in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies. Fluoride levels are monitored daily at the WTP. Document Number A461950

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There are two weekly monitoring points for fluoride throughout the reticulation system, also monitored by the operators. Daily and weekly results are recorded on NSW Health Form 4 and entered into the NSW Drinking Water Database in the first week of each month by the Product Quality Systems Officer. Operational water quality samples are collected at the reservoirs by sampling staff from the Quality and Environmental Impact section and tested at MidCoast Water’s Laboratory. This includes testing for basic physical parameters, chlorine (in-field), microbiological parameters and metals. The testing is done fortnightly. Basic physical parameters and microbiological parameters are tested on the arrival to the MidCoast Water Laboratory. Non-complying or unusual results are notified immediately to Service Delivery staff using Presumptive Microbiological Notification Form (Document # A236999) or Physical Notification Form (Document # A237839). The Langelier Saturation Index is calculated using water quality data collected at the after chlorination site of the WTP. More details on the LSI are provided in Section 6.2 Operational Water Quality Monitoring Program, when discussing the Manning Water Supply There is no off stream storage at Bulahdelah WTP. This presents challenges for the water treatment process, as the raw water, which has highly variable water quality is pumped directly to the WTP. As a result, the main issues detected in operational monitoring are elevated levels of aluminium and occasionally turbidity. Since the upgrade of the WTP in 2006, including enclosing the treatment building and changing coagulants, these operational issues are less frequent.

10.3 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Failure to meet target criteria during operational monitoring results in immediate corrective action. This is managed by the operator on duty, and extra staff can be called in to assist if required. Examples of corrective action include; altering plant flow rate, jar testing to optimise coagulation and adjustment of chemical dose rates. Control points for Bulahdelah have been covered in Section 9.2 Critical Control Points including monitoring requirements, corrective actions, assigned responsibilities and record keeping methods. Operational monitoring also includes samples collected at after chlorination sites and reservoirs throughout the reticulation system. Parameters tested at these sites and corrective actions for non compliances are the same as those tested at customer’s taps and public areas throughout the reticulation system (verification monitoring). This is covered in more detail in Section 11 Verification of Drinking Water Quality for the Bulahdelah Water Supply System.

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10.4 MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS Current materials used for the Bulahdelah water supply are listed below including storage details. All products used in the water supply are approved, stored securely and used in accordance with Work Cover licences. Table 16: Chemicals stored at Bulahdelah WTP

Chemical

Amount

System

Sodium Hypochlorite

2000 l

Liquid bulk storage

Aluminium Chlorohydrate

12000 l

Liquid bulk storage

Soda Ash

3000 kg

Bulk powder

Sodium Fluoride

240 kg

5 kg bags

Polymer Magnafloc LT20

50 kg

5 kg bags

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11. VERIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY FOR BULAHDELAH WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 5) Verification monitoring is the final check of water quality which confirms the effectiveness of preventive measures and barriers throughout the system. It also includes monitoring customer satisfaction which can provide valuable information on potential problems in the system. Any rapid or noticeable change in conditions including water quality, pressure etc. may be detected by customers. All complaints are registered and investigated. Further details are provided in Section 7.2 Customer Complaints Management System. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines recognise that it is impossible to test every water supply for every parameter listed in the guidelines, therefore monitoring programs need to be structured effectively to capture, analyse and interpret water quality data. Selecting parameters and frequency of monitoring should be based on system analysis and risk assessment to ensure safety at point of use. It is recognised that the most likely and serious form of contamination risk comes from microbiological contamination. MidCoast Water’s drinking water quality monitoring program has been designed based on these principles. Some details of this element have been covered in Section 7 Verification of Drinking Water Quality for the Manning Water Supply System. Where details or processes differ to the Manning Supply, information will be provided in this section. Information common to all MidCoast Water drinking water supply systems will not be repeated here including Short-term Evaluation of Results.

11.1 DRINKING WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM Verification monitoring for the Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme is included in the MidCoast Water Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program referred to in Section 7.1 Verification of Drinking Water Quality Monitoring when discussing the Manning Water Supply System. As Bulahdelah is a much smaller system than the Manning, there are fewer sample sites, with the same parameters. Samples for chemical testing for the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program are collected by operational staff and sent to NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service Laboratory. Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme has two chemistry samples (which include fluoride) and ten fluoride samples allocated per year. Operators also measure fluoride levels at key reticulation sites on a weekly basis (as well as daily monitoring at the WTP). A full list of parameters tested at FASS is included in Section 7 Verification of Drinking Water Quality for the Manning Water Supply System. Disinfection by-products and radiological monitoring is the same as other systems. Extra parameters which have been identified as priority chemicals as described in Section 7 Verification of Drinking Document Number A461950

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Water Quality in the Manning Water Supply System are monitored twice per year in the smaller systems including Bulahdelah. Pesticides are monitored in a project with NSW Health and are covered in Section 8.1.2 Pesticides Project. Water quality results are best viewed in a reporting format required by NSW Health, presented on an annual basis at the JSG meeting in October. The report details both operational and compliance data and provides comparisons to previous years to highlight long term trends. Refer to Drinking Water Quality Report July 2012 – June 2013 (Document # A420855). Operators of the water supply system and the Product Quality Systems Officer are responsible for reviewing results of verification monitoring and reviewing trends which may have water quality implications. Despite the challenges presented due to a lack of off stream storage at Bulahdelah WTP, water quality results of verification monitoring and compliance with ADWG are consistently high. Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme has achieved 100% compliance for all bacteriological parameters from samples collected at reticulation sites since 2007. Physical compliance throughout the system has been 100% since 2010 – 2011. Average results for turbidity and true colour also continue to improve. Trends are similar for chemical compliance. All chemical parameters from reticulation sites including an extensive list of metals (listed in Section 7 Verification of Drinking Water Quality in the Manning Water Supply System) and disinfection by-products have been compliant with ADWG since 2010 – 2011.

11.2 CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS Customer complaints for Bulahdelah are received and logged in the same database as other water supply systems and details are covered in Section 7.2 Customer Complaints Management System when discussing the Manning Water Supply System. Water quality complaints from 2006/2007 to 2012/2013 are presented in the table below. These complaints include; taste (including chlorine), smell and dirty water.

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Complaints per year

Bulahdelah Water Quality Complaints 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Water quality incident Nov 2007

Figure 35: Water quality complaints in the Bulahdelah water supply 2004 - 2013 Very few water quality complaints are received relating to Bulahdelah Water Supply Scheme. The exception can be seen in the figure above in 2007. In November 2007 a pump failure resulted in water bypassing the majority of treatment and entering the reticulation system. MidCoast Water, after consultation with NSW Health issued boil water advice to protect public health. An extensive flushing and chlorination program was included in MidCoast Water’s response. The higher than usual number of complaints from customers was due to this incident. Since 2007 (and also prior to this time), the number of water quality complaints have been very low.

11.3 CORRECTIVE ACTION The procedure for corrective action relating to verification monitoring is the same as described in Section 7.4 Corrective Action when discussing the Manning Scheme and will not be repeated here. The only difference between the Manning water supply and the smaller supplies including Bulahdelah, is that the operators and Manager of Treatment and Storage are notified of noncompliances and consulted to determine the best course of action, rather than the Customer Response Manager. .

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12. ASSESSMENT OF THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR STROUD WATER SUPPLY SCHEME (ELEMENT 2)

12.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY The Stroud Water Supply Scheme supplies drinking water to the residents of Stroud and Stroud Road. The township of Stroud is located in the Karuah River catchment in the Great Lakes local government area. It is approximately 219 km north of Sydney, 75 km north-east of Newcastle and 20 km east of Dungog. The village of Stroud Road is approximately 8 km north of Stroud along the Bucketts Way. The Stroud Water Supply Scheme includes; 

Karuah River raw water intake

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Raw water pump station

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Off stream storage dam

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Water treatment plant

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Three reservoirs

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Distribution pipe network

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Water pump stations

This scheme serves a population of approximately 1300 (500 houses). The Stroud Water Supply Scheme originated in the 1960s when water was pumped directly from Karuah River to Stroud reservoirs for distribution to homes. Treatment consisted of a screen at the raw water pump and adding chlorine to the reservoirs for disinfection. The off stream storage and water treatment plant (WTP) were built in the 1990s. The WTP has a capacity to treat 2 ML/day with a reservoir storage capacity of 1.8 ML which is considered adequate to meet the future growth and development for the next 30 years. The most recent upgrade to the WTP was during 2012 – 2013 when the process control systems were upgraded.

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12.1.1 KARUAH RIVER CATCHMENT

Figure 36: Karuah River catchment map (Map sourced from NSW Office of Environment & Heritage, 2014). The Karuah catchment covers an area of approximately 4480 km2. It is bordered to the north by the Manning River catchment and to the south and west by the Hunter River catchment. Three major rivers systems drain the Karuah River basin; Karuah and Myall Rivers drain south to Port Stephens, the Wallamba, Wallinghat, Wang Wauk and Coolongolook Rivers drains east into the northern part of Wallis Lake (NSW Office of Water, 2014). Predominant land uses include agriculture (mostly beef cattle with some dairy and poultry farms), NSW State Forests and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Tourism, mining and oyster growing are also present in the catchment (NSW Office of Water, 2014). The Karuah catchment forms part of the tradition land of the Worimi people (ABC, 2014). MidCoast Water relies on water sourced from the Karuah catchment to supply customers of Stroud and Stroud Road with high quality drinking water.

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12.1.2. MINING ACTIVITIES IN THE KARUAH RIVER CATCHMENT There are both existing and proposed mining activities in the Karuah River catchment. Existing mining operations; 

Duralie Coal Mine owned by Yancoal. The open cut coal mine is located near Mammy Johnsons River, which joins Karuah River upstream of the intake to Stroud water supply. Duralie Coal Mine has a no discharge policy and coal is washed at the nearby Stratford Coal Mine which is in the Manning River catchment (Avon River).

Proposed mining activities include; 

Extension to Duralie Coal Mine



Part of Stage 2 of Gloucester Gas Project, operated by AGL Energy. This is a coal seam gas project

Details of MidCoast Water’s involvement in reviews and approval processes are described in Section 4.1.3 Mining Activities in the Manning River Catchment. Mining activities are considered in the hazard analysis and risk assessment process for Stroud drinking water supply.

12.1.3. KARUAH RIVER WATER SHARING PLAN The Karuah River Water Sharing Plan was devised by the Lower North Coast Water Management Committee under the Water Management Act 2000. The plan commenced in 2003 and was reviewed in 2004. The plan applies to 30 June 2014 (DIPNR, 2005). This plan is currently being reviewed by NSW Office of Water. The aim of the plan is to regulate the amount of water extracted from Karuah River to ensure the health of the river is protected. The Act requires that water be allocated for the fundamental health of the river and its dependent ecosystems as a first priority. Water users, including MidCoast Water have daily extraction limits based on flow conditions. Classes of flow, as measured at the reference point located at Booral and extraction limits are detailed in the table below.

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Table 17: Karuah water sharing plan extraction limits

Flow Class

ML/day Flow on Rising or MidCoast Water Daily Extraction Limit ML/day Falling River

Very Low Flow