15 December 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS
On behalf of the Executive Committee, a peaceful and safe Christmas to all member Councils and readers of this newsletter.

Thanks to all member Councils for your support and to the individuals who have provided valuable contributions via the discussion forum throughout 2009.

DROUGHT UPDATE
Conditions sadly continue to worsen with the DPI declaring in mid November that 74% of NSW was officially drought affected. The area classified as marginal increased to 24% and the area classified as satisfactory halved again to only 2%! At this time last year the figures were 63%, 17% and 20% respectively. NOW reported that 2 small villages required water carting in Nov.

JOINT WATER DIRECTORATE/LGSA WATER LOSS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
Last chance – join the program before the December 31 deadline by contacting Program Manager Ian Maggs on 02 9242 4127 or visit www.waterloss.lgsa.org.au.

PUBLICATIONS UPDATE – WIOA FIFTH PRACTICAL GUIDE TO WATER TREATMENT
In November the Water Directorate was pleased to purchase WIOA’s Practical Guide to the Operation and Optimisation of Chlorine and Chloramine Disinfection and distribute them to all financial member Councils.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM & REVIEW UPDATE
As of early December there is no sign of the government’s response to the Independent Inquiry Report.

4th ANNUAL WIOA NSW WATER INDUSTRY ENGINEERS AND OPERATORS CONFERENCE, 21 -22 APRIL, BATHURST - CALL FOR PAPERS
The Water Directorate is pleased to support this outstanding conference again. ‘Call for Papers’ flyers are included in the mailout of this newsletter to member Councils.

OZWATER’10, 8-10 MARCH, BRISBANE
Ozwater’10 is Australia’s National Water Conference and Exhibition and will be held in the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Presented by AWA, Ozwater‘10 is the largest and most important annual gathering of water professionals & practitioners in the Southern Hemisphere. For more conference and the trade exhibition info see www.ozwater10.com.au

YOUNG ENGINEERS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE AWARD
The Water Directorate and AWA are again pleased to offer an award valued at up to $3,200 to enable a worthy junior water professional from a member Council to attend OzWater ’10. Nominations close on 5 Feb. Details are shown in the flyer included in this month’s newsletter.

2nd ANNUAL WATER LEADERS CONFERENCE 2010, 25-26 FEBRUARY, SYDNEY
The Water Directorate is pleased to support this second congress which provides a forum for discussion and knowledge sharing around the key themes of water reform, security & leadership. For more information go to the banner link on our website.

PUBLICATIONS UPDATE - INTERIM BLUE-GREEN ALGAE MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS
The third version of the Water Directorate’s publication was posted on the website in November. This 2009 interim version supersedes the 2007 draft CD Rom version. The 2009 Interim Blue-Green Algae Management Protocols addresses the October Draft Revised Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2009. The Water Directorate will attempt to keep pace with the rolling reviews of the ADWGs.

PUBLICATIONS UPDATE – REVISED BACKFLOW & CROSS CONNECTION PREVENTION GUIDELINES
The second version of the Water Directorate’s publication was planned to be issued in November however it has been held over till early 2010 due to clarification of some plumbing and drainage details. The latest document is a complete rewrite of the 2002 publication and addresses risk management of contamination of water supplies.

NSW REVIEW INTO PLUMBING REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
It is proposed that NSW Fair Trading will become the single plumbing regulator for NSW from 1 July. Go to the Water Directorate’s website to see the presentation notes from NSWFT at our November meeting.

NSW HEALTH DRINKING WATER MONITORING PROGRAM 2010
LWUs will soon receive NSW Health water samples labels for 2010 to be used from 1 Jan when any 2009 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. Do not use Drinking Water Monitoring Program 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. Water utilities 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, and ensuring all relevant details are entered on the label; instructing your lab to directly enter results of drinking water analysis; &
• if adding fluoride, entering data recorded on Form 4 directly into the Database.
  

The 3 NSW Health labs that provide testing for the NSW Health DWMP will be closed over Christmas. Contact your local PHU to request lab testing in case of emergencies during this period.

• DAL: Closed 24 Dec until 10 Jan. Full service re-starts Monday 11 Jan.
• Greater Murray Water Testing Lab: Closed 24 Dec until 3 Jan. Full service recommences Monday 4 Jan.
• Northern Rivers Pathology Service: Closed 23 Dec until 3 Jan. Full service restarts Monday 4 Jan.
  

DAL requests that two bottles continue to be submitted for each chemistry sample collected; a 1L and a 250mL bottle. Starting in January, councils will need to purchase the 250mL chemistry sample bottles for 2010 sampling.

The new instructions for collecting chemistry samples, as recommended by DAL are:

• Flush lines for 1 - 2 mins before collecting samples.
• Rinse containers twice with collection water before taking samples.
• Fill the 1L bottle to brim.
• Fill the 250mL bottle to bottom of the neck. Do not fill this bottle to brim.
• Place the barcoded label on the 1L bottle.
• Record all relevant details on the label such as date and time of collection, sample site code, whether the system is fluoridated and if so, the fluoride field result.
• Attach plain label & record the supply system code (2 letters followed by 2 numerals e.g. BV01), & the sampling date & time on the 250mL bottle.
• Pack samples into a cooler or “esky” together with sufficient freezer bricks (do not use ice) to keep the samples cool (2 – 10oC) during transport.
• Attach copy of the DAL address label, or add the following address to the cooler:
  DAL Laboratories
  Weeroona Rd (off Joseph St)
  LIDCOMBE NSW 2141
  
• Dispatch the samples to DAL as soon as possible.
  

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING DATES
The meeting dates for 2010 are 4 March, 13 May, 8 July, 9 September and 10-11November.

Gary Mitchell
Executive Officer
© Copyright Water Directorate December 2009

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