How safe is drinking water in the National and State Parks of Hunter New England Region of New South Wales?

Fidelis Jaravani Environmental Health Officer Hunter New England Local Health District

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Background

• In 2008 NSW Health produced Private Water Supply Guidelines (PWSG). However, compliance with the guidelines in the National and State Parks is unknown. • In 2008 it was recognised that drinking water supplies in Parks and other settings in NSW may be suboptimal. • In 2010 HNEPHU decided to survey the quality of the drinking water in the region to assess implementation of PWSG in national parks. • Checklist compiled for standardisation of survey by the survey team.

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Project 3: Objectives & Expected outcome Objectives: • To assess how national parks drinking water supplies in the Hunter New England region are conforming to the NSW Private Water Supply Guidelines.

From personal collection

Expected outcome: • A decision support framework for drinking water risk management in national parks and camping grounds.

NSW Health Water Unit

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Study area

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Method • All national and state parks providing water supplies were surveyed between August 2010 –August 2011 using a pre-designed survey check list. • 12 monthly samples were collected from each of 5 randomly selected parks between August 2010 and August 2011. • Rain water supply was excluded. • 12 extra samples were collected from Carted water supplies. • The park with worst results was chosen for resampling after feedback to the park authority. 5

Method cont’d • Water samples were collected accordance with the NSW Health Guide for Submitting Water Samples to the Division of Analytical Laboratories for Analysis. • All samples were sent to NSW FASS for analysis in accordance with the DAL Guideline for submitting drinking water samples. • The FASS analytical methods were based on Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, American Public Health Association, 20th Edition (www.standardmethods.org). • The NSW Health Guide for Submitting Water Samples to the Division of Analytical Laboratories for Analysis Response Protocol was followed except for resampling. 6

Results Water sources Supply type

Number

Treated

Water outlet labelled

Warning Sign posted

Boil water alert

Dams

5

2

1

1

0

Springs

1

1

0

0

0

Bores

4

1

1

0

0

Rivers

6

0

3

5

4

Carted

5

5

1

2

1

Reticulated systems

4

4

0

0

0

Rain water tanks

32

0

6

26

10

Total

57

13

12

34

15

Percentage

100%

23%

21%

60%

26% 7

Results Escherichia coli Sample

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Park

% Failure

Routine Sampling

1