Algaecide for Storage Dams

Advice has been received that copper sulphate is not registered by the National Registration Authority (NRA) for control of algae in water storages and therefore can not be used legally. An alternative product, which can lawfully be used, is approximately ten times the price of copper sulphate.

In an endeavour to find a more economic alternative, the Water Directorate has been assisting with arrangements to get a liquid form algaecide registered with the NRA by the end of October 1999. This new product is expected to be about the same price as copper sulphate. For further information, please contact the Coordinator of the Water Directorate's Blue Green Algae Sub Committee, Mervyn Chapman at Armidale City Council, telephone 6770 3527.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia Protocols

As previously mentioned in these newsletters, one of the Water Directorate's high priority actions is to participate in the development of C&G Protocols for local government. A Water Directorate sub committee has now provided comments to the DLWC for two reviews of the C&G Protocols. The Protocols report will be released by the DLWC following final amending, publishing and printing.

Implementation of NHMRC Guidelines

As also previously mentioned in these newsletters, one of the Water Directorate's high priority actions is to assist councils with the implementation of the 1996 NHMRC Drinking Water Guidelines. The Water Directorate has now engaged a consultant to summarise the NHMRC guidelines into a concise user- friendly summary. The summary should be complete in November 1999.

Questionnaires

Water Directorate sub committees are endeavouring with councils' assistance, to gather information regarding some high priority actions and issues, so that we can assist by forwarding the collated information to your council. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Questionnaires will be sent to the Water and Sewerage managers with this newsletter to gather information about:

• accredited council laboratories and type of accreditation for Load Based Licensing purposes
• trade waste details for review of TW Guideline purposes
• water supply and sewerage treatment plant details for benchmarking purposes

  International Water Association Network

  The Water Directorate has taken up the AWWA's offer to list our contact details on a network of associations which has the possibility of tackling policy issues on the international front.

  AWWA Albury Regional Conference

  The AWWA will be convening a NSW & Victoria Joint Regional Conference on 21 to 23 October 1999. Please see contact Melanie McPherson on tel 02 9413 1288, fax 02 9413 1047 and mcmpherson@awwa.asn.au for more details.

  Drinking Water Quality Course

  Egis Consulting is conducting a course at Queanbeyan on 7 October 1999 and at Brisbane on 12 October 1999. The course will highlight risk areas to the provision of quality drinking water and how this can be managed plus an overview of the direction that water quality guidelines are moving. For more details contact Dr Alison Baker on 03 9272 6677 or on baker@mel.egisconsult.com.au.

For more information contact: