The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Victoria's wild storms show how easily disasters can threaten our water supply

  • Written by Ian Wright, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University

The wild storms[1] that recently raged across eastern Victoria caused major property and environmental damage, and loss of lives. They’ve also triggered serious water contamination incidents.

Yarra Valley Water issued an urgent health warning[2] to not to drink tap water — not even if it’s boiled — in three affected suburbs: Kalista, Sherbrooke and The Patch.

So what caused this incident? Yarra Valley Water says[3] the severe weather led to an equipment failure, with potentially unsafe water entering the drinking water system.

I spoke to the water authority about the nature of the contamination, and they did not provide any more detail. But based on my three decades of experience in the water industry, I can offer some insight into how disasters create contamination crises, and Australia’s vulnerabilities.

Does boiling water help?

Despite recent health warnings, it’s worth pointing out that Australia’s water supply is generally safe and reliable, with few exceptions. Still, this is hardly the first time disasters have disrupted water supply, whether from droughts[4], storms and floods, or bushfires[5].

For example, the Black Summer bushfires damaged water supply infrastructure for many communities, such as in Eden and Boydtown on the south coast of New South Wales. The Bega Valley Shire Council issued a boil water notice[6], as the loss of electricity stopped chlorinating the water supply, which is needed to maintain safe disinfection levels.

Boil water alerts indicate harmful pathogens may be present in the water, and you should boil water[7] for at least one minute[8] to kill them.

Read more: Better boil ya billy: when Australian water goes bad[9]

In inland and remote communities, drinking water contamination can be more common and very difficult to resolve.

For example, many remote Western Australian towns have chronic water quality problems[10], with drinking water often failing to meet Australian standards. And in 2015, the WA Auditor General reported[11] the water in many Indigenous communities contains harmful contaminants, such as uranium and nitrates.

The source of this contamination[12] is often naturally occurring chemical compounds in the local geology of ground water supplies.

One of the biggest contamination incidents in Australia occurred in August and September in 1998. A series of extreme wet weather events after a long drought triggered the contamination of Sydney’s drinking water with high levels of protozoan parasites, which can cause serious diseases such as gastroenteritis or cryptosporidiosis[13]. It resulted in[14] boil water alerts across much of the Sydney metropolitan area.

Damaged house A damaged house in Kalorama, Melbourne, after wild storms raged across Victoria. AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

But what makes this latest incident in Victoria so concerning is that authorities have warned even boiling will not[15] reduce contamination. This suggests contamination may be due to the presence of a harmful chemical, or high levels of sediment particles.

Sediment in water — measured as “turbidity[16]” — can be hazardous because these particles can hold other contaminants, or even shield pathogens from disinfection.

Yarra Valley Water’s advice for the affected suburbs is to avoid using water in any cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or mixing baby formula, and for people to take care not to ingest water in the shower or bath. Emergency drinking water is being supplied by Yarra Valley Water in some locations.

So why do disasters threaten our drinking water?

This latest incident is another reminder that our drinking water is vulnerable to disruption from extreme weather.

This is almost certain to continue, and worsen, as the the Bureau of Meterology’s State of the Climate 2020[17] report predicts more extreme weather — including drought, heatwaves, bushfires, storms, and floods — in Australia’s future.

As these disasters become more frequent and extreme under climate change, impacts on water supplies[18] across Australia are likely to become more destructive.

A good example of how this can unfold was the impact on Canberra’s water supply after the destructive 2003 bushfires.

Fire burned most of the region’s Cotter River catchments, which hold three dams. After fires went out, massive storms eroded the weakened ground, and washed ash, soil and organic debris into the storage reservoirs. It took years[19] for the water supply system to fully recover.

Physical damage to water infrastructure is also a big risk, as modern water supplies are large and complex. For example, a fallen tree could break open the roof of a sealed water storage tank, exposing water to the elements.

Interruptions of electrical supplies after extreme weather are also common, leading to failures of water supply technology. This, for instance, could stop a water pump from operating, or break down the telemetry system[20] which helps control operations.

Five people looking at a flooded road Storms can wash debris and sediment into water supplies. AAP Image/James Ross

As difficult as these hits to Australia’s water security are, and will be in future, it’s even more problematic in the developing world[21], which may not have the resources to recover.

How can we withstand these challenges?

To maintain optimal water quality, we must protect the integrity of water catchments — areas where water is collected by the natural landscape.

For example, damaging logging operations[22] along steep slopes[23] in Melbourne’s biggest water catchment threatens to pollute the city’s drinking water because it increases the risk of erosion during storms.

Read more: Logging must stop in Melbourne's biggest water supply catchment[24]

There’s also merit in Australian cities investing in advanced treatment of wastewater[25] for reuse, rather than build infrequently used desalination plants for when there’s drought.

Australia could follow the US state of California which has ambitious targets[26] to reuse more than 60% of its sewage effluent.

And it’s completely safe — Australia has developed guidelines[27] to ensure recycled water is treated and managed to operate reliably and protect public health.

Read more: Why does some tap water taste weird?[28]

If you’re concerned about water quality from the tap and haven’t received any alerts, you might just not like its taste[29]. If in doubt, contact you local water supplier.

This story is part of a series The Conversation is running on the nexus between disaster, disadvantage and resilience. It is supported by a philanthropic grant from the Paul Ramsay foundation. You can read the rest of the stories here[30].

References

  1. ^ wild storms (www.news.com.au)
  2. ^ urgent health warning (www.yvw.com.au)
  3. ^ Yarra Valley Water says (emergency.vic.gov.au)
  4. ^ droughts (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ or bushfires (www.bom.gov.au)
  6. ^ boil water notice (begavalley.nsw.gov.au)
  7. ^ should boil water (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ at least one minute (www.cdc.gov)
  9. ^ Better boil ya billy: when Australian water goes bad (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ chronic water quality problems (www.abc.net.au)
  11. ^ reported (audit.wa.gov.au)
  12. ^ source of this contamination (ww2.health.wa.gov.au)
  13. ^ gastroenteritis or cryptosporidiosis (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au)
  14. ^ It resulted in (www.phrp.com.au)
  15. ^ even boiling will not (twitter.com)
  16. ^ turbidity (www.who.int)
  17. ^ State of the Climate 2020 (www.bom.gov.au)
  18. ^ impacts on water supplies (www.climatecouncil.org.au)
  19. ^ It took years (www.ecosmagazine.com)
  20. ^ telemetry system (www.industry.nsw.gov.au)
  21. ^ developing world (www.unicef.org)
  22. ^ damaging logging operations (www.abc.net.au)
  23. ^ steep slopes (theconversation.com)
  24. ^ Logging must stop in Melbourne's biggest water supply catchment (theconversation.com)
  25. ^ treatment of wastewater (www.circleofblue.org)
  26. ^ has ambitious targets (watereuse.org)
  27. ^ developed guidelines (www.waterquality.gov.au)
  28. ^ Why does some tap water taste weird? (theconversation.com)
  29. ^ like its taste (theconversation.com)
  30. ^ here (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/victorias-wild-storms-show-how-easily-disasters-can-threaten-our-water-supply-162846

Times Magazine

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

DIY Is In: How Aussie Parents Are Redefining Birthday Parties

When planning his daughter’s birthday, Rich opted for a DIY approach, inspired by her love for drawing maps and giving clues. Their weekend tradition of hiding treats at home sparked the idea, and with a pirate ship playground already chosen as t...

The Times Features

Do you really need a dental check-up and clean every 6 months?

Just over half of Australian adults[1] saw a dental practitioner in the past 12 months, most commonly for a check-up[2]. But have you been told you should get a check-up and c...

What is a Compounding Pharmacy and Why Do You Need One in Melbourne?

Ever picked up a prescription and thought, this pill is too big, too bitter, or full of things I cannot have? That is where a compounding chemist becomes important. A compounding p...

Deep Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning: Which One Do Perth Homes Really Need?

Whether you live in a coastal home in Cottesloe or a modern apartment in East Perth, keeping your living space clean isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s essential for your health and...

Rubber vs Concrete Wheel Stops: Which is Better for Your Car Park?

When it comes to setting up a car park in Perth, wheel stops are a small feature that make a big difference. From improving driver accuracy to preventing costly damage, the right c...

Not all processed foods are bad for you. Here’s what you can tell from reading the label

If you follow wellness content on social media or in the news, you’ve probably heard that processed food is not just unhealthy, but can cause serious harm. Eating a diet domin...

What happens if I eat too much protein?

The hype around protein[1] intake doesn’t seem to be going away. Social media is full of people urging you to eat more protein, including via supplements such as protein sha...