Water Quality and Treatment
Expand the sections below to learn more about water quality and water treatment from Dubbo Regional Council for the Local Government Area.
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Council supplies drinking water quality water to the residents of Dubbo, Eumungerie, Mogriguy, Wellington, Geurie, Mumbil, Brocklehurst, Wongarbon and Ballimore. Drinking water is also sometimes called “potable” water. Non-potable water refers to water that cannot be directly consumed safely.
Further Information on drinking water quality management is contained within Council's Water Supply Services Policy, view this policy at Council's dedicated webpage; A-Z Council Policies.
The generally accepted drinking water quality guidelines for drinking water quality in Australia and New Zealand today are developed and updated by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 also reflect these international guidelines, such as those developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the results of current medical research. Below are the accepted values for various parameters and a value typical of Dubbo’s Water supply:
| Parameters |
ADWG - 2011 |
Typical Dubbo Water Value |
Hardness as CaCO3 |
200 mg/l |
80 mg/l |
pH
|
6.5 – 8.5 |
7.5 – 8.5 |
Taste & Colour
|
Not Necessary |
Acceptable to most people |
| Total Dissolved Solids |
600 mg/l |
250 mg/l
|
| True Colour |
Not Necessary |
<5TCU |
| Turbidity |
<5 NTU |
<1 NTU |
| Thermotolerant Coliforms |
None in 100 ml |
0 |
| Total Coliforms |
# No guideline value set |
# |
| Chlorine (Max) |
5 mg/l |
1.40 mg/l |
| Aluminium |
<0.2 mg/l |
<0.1 mg/l |
| Ammonia as NH3 |
<0.5 mg/l |
0 mg/l |
| Antimony |
<0.003 mg/l |
<0.003 mg/l |
| Arsenic |
<0.01 mg/l |
<0.001 mg/l |
| Barium |
<2.0 mg/l |
<0.009 mg/l |
| Boron |
<4.0 mg/l |
<0.3 mg/l |
| Cadmium |
<0.002 mg/l |
<0.001 mg/l |
| Chloride |
<250 mg/l |
<80 mg/l |
| Chromium (as CR (VI)) |
<0.05 mg/l |
<0.01 mg/l |
| Copper |
<2.0 mg/l |
<0.7 mg/l |
| Cyanide |
<0.08 mg/l |
<0.08 mg/l |
| Fluoride |
<1.5 mg/l |
0.08 to 0.12 mg/l * |
| Iron |
<0.3 mg/l |
<0.1 mg/l |
| Lead |
<0.01 mg/l |
<0.01 mg/l |
| Manganese |
<0.5 mg/l |
<0.03 mg/l |
| Mercury |
<0.001 mg/l |
<0.0001 mg/l |
| Nitrate (as NO3) |
<50 mg/l |
<8 mg/l |
| Nitrite (as NO2) |
<3 mg/l |
0 mg/l |
| Selenium |
<0.01 mg/l |
<0.005 mg/l |
| Sodium |
<180 mg/l |
<60 mg/l |
| Sulphate |
<250 mg/l |
<30 mg/l |
| Zinc |
<3 mg/l |
<0.3 mg/l |
| Hydrogen Sulfide |
<0.05 mg/l |
0 mg/l |
| Iodide |
<0.1 mg/l |
<0.1 mg/l |
| Molybodenum |
<0.05 mg/l |
<0.05 mg/l |
| Nickel |
<0.02 mg/l |
0.02 mg/l |
| Silver |
<0.1 mg/l |
<0.1 |
* Due to operational reasons Council is unable to add additional fluoride to the Dubbo water supply service area. The National Health and Medical Research Council supports Australian States and Territories fluoridating their drinking water within the range of 0.6 to 1.1mg of fluoride per litre. For more information around fluoridation of Dubbo Water Supply, visit dubbo.nsw.gov.au/fluoride
# No guideline value has been set for Total Coliforms
WATER SAMPLING
Council operates its water supply system ensuring the water quality meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 (ADWG) and NSW Health standards.
Our water quality monitoring program consists of sampling and testing of critical points within our treatment process and delivery system.
- Treatment Plant - Samples are taken to monitor the source water quality which can vary due to catchment conditions.
- Water Supply System - Samples are taken from various locations within the reticulation system and provide a typical profile of the quality of water being delivered to customers.
WATER MAINS CLEANING
Council periodically undertakes a system wide water mains flushing program to protect the quality of the drinking water supply to residents, and to minimise the risk of water main breaks. This program is part of Council’s ongoing maintenance of the water reticulation network.
Council frequently tests water quality throughout the system to check that the water remains safe to drink and meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
FLUORIDATION OF WATER SUPPLY
Dubbo Regional Council has issued public notices related to the fluoridation of Dubbo water supply. Read the notices and view answers to frequently asked questions at Council's dedicated webpage; Fluoridation of Water Supply
COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES
For information on the range of legislative requirements and responsibilities of Dubbo Regional Council related to water and sewer view our dedicated webpage; Council's Water and Sewer Responsibilities
Last Edited: 16 May 2023