20 December 2006

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas brings our eighth year to a close and on behalf of the Executive Committee , Merry Christmas and a rainy 2007 to all member councils and readers of this newsletter.

WATER LOSS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE

In early December a media release was issued which was successful in getting a lot of publicity for the WLMP. For further information and application forms visit www.WaterLoss.lgsa.org.au or contact Mirko Sramek, Program Manager on 02 9242 4127. This joint program is our most significant achievement so far and the Water Directorate and LGSA look forward to council uptake in 2007.

NSW DROUGHT CONDITIONS

NSW drought conditions improved insignificantly in December with the Department of Primary Industries declaring that 92.7% of the area of NSW was officially drought affected. The area of NSW classified as marginal was 4.9% and the area classified as satisfactory was only 2.4%. The outlook remains bleak except in the upper north east corner of the state.

DEC/EPA SEWERAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM LICENSING

In the last newsletter member councils were advised that the DEC/EPA Pollution Reduction Program (PRP) 100 requires the preparation of a Sewer Overflow Investigations Report by 30 June 07. Please note that 3 or 4 months of sewer monitoring data is required to input into these reports and member councils without data should allow for this. It is suggested that member councils use the Water Directorate discussion forum to seek advice from other member councils that have successfully completed their reports.

NSW HEALTH DRINKING WATER MONITORING PROGRAM (DWMP) 2007

LWUs will soon receive NSW Health water sample labels for 07 for use from 1 January when 06 labels should be discarded. Labels are provided for the recommended minimum numbers of system performance samples for each system. Repeat/Additional labels are provided for repeat samples (taken after a guideline value is exceeded) or for other additional drinking water samples. Please do not use DWMP labels for raw water, operational samples, or samples from private water supplies, rivers or recreational waters. If a particular problem with a water supply is identified or the quality of an alternate source needs to be investigated a special project may be approved. Extra labels can be provided for free analysis for approved projects. The NSW Drinking Water Database allows Internet access to test results and reporting. LWUs are asked to assist with the operation of the Database by: entering sample site codes into the Database and using these codes on sample labels; using a NSW Health label on all system performance drinking water samples regardless of the lab, and ensuring all relevant details are entered on the label; instructing your lab to directly enter results of drinking water analysis; and if adding fluoride, entering data recorded on Form 4 into the Database. For more info., contact your local PHU.

OPERATING TIMES FOR NSW HEALTH LABORATORIES OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

The 3 NSW Health labs that provide testing for the NSW Health DWMP will be closed for the following dates over the Christmas period. Generally, labs will not be able to process routine samples submitted between 22 December and 1 January. Staff will be on call to respond to emergencies. DAL (Division of Analytical Laboratories) - closed 25, 26 and 29 Dec and 1 Jan. Full service recommences Tuesday 2 Jan. Greater Murray Water Testing Laboratory - closed 25, 26 and 29 Dec and 1 Jan. Samples that reach the laboratory on 27 December will be processed. Full service recommences Tuesday 2 Jan. Northern Rivers Pathology Service - Closed 25, 26 and 29 Dec and 1 Jan. Samples that reach the laboratory on 27 and 28 December will be processed. Full service recommences Tuesday 2 Jan.

IPWEA EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2007

The deadline for expressions of interest for the Water Directorate’s Innovation in Water Supply and Wastewater Award at the IPWEA NSW Excellence Awards 2007 has been extended until the 14th January 2007 . The Executive Committee urges you to support this award that is funded from membership fees to promote member councils. The award is a great opportunity for you to showcase your projects to your peers and also share your innovations with others. Please download the form from www.ipweanswconference.com.au

NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR 2007 AND 2008

The election process is now complete for the Executive Committee for the next two calendar years. GMs were required to vote in three out of nine IPWEA Groups of councils. Following the process, one representative has unfortunately left the Executive Committee and three have joined. Welcome to Jim Fear , Manger Engineering Services North Coast Water, Clarence Valley Council who returns to the Executive Committee after two years absence, Tony Holmes, Business Administration and Support Manager, Shoalhaven City Council, and Eric Poga, Utilities Manager, Wellington Shire Council. Farewell and thanks to outgoing representative Wayne Franklin , Operational Services Manager, Rous Water and many thanks and congratulations to the previous Executive Committee which met a record 8 times in 2006 and 15 times over the past two years. Special mention goes to the recently resigned Carl Peterson for attending all 15 meetings in this period. The previous committee successfully published five water management documents and provided training for member councils. Welcome back to all 14 returning successful nominees, six of whom have diligently volunteered for a fifth, two year term. Drawn from 9 regions of NSW, the new committee reflects various regional interests of large, small, coastal and inland local government water authorities. The new Executive Committee , shown below, meets for the first time on 1 March 07 and the first duty will be to elect a Chair for the next two years.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2007 & 2008

One vacancy exists and I would be happy to discuss this with appropriate interested persons from the New England Group of Councils. We look forward to 2007 and our ninth year of providing practical management tools and technical advice to our 95 member councils.

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