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Routine physical parameters

Exceeding reporting level and percentage in zones/population

The reporting levels are based on Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2004). Sampling results are based on monitoring at locations listed in our agreements with the retail water businesses. Target levels are at equal to or less than the reporting level or, in the cases of pH, within the range shown. The physical reporting levels are based on aesthetic rather than health considerations. Values that would be a concern for health are well beyond the reporting levels. The testing for colour is done as "apparent colour" rather than "true colour"; the latter test involves a filtered sample and would not be representative of Melbourne's water supply. "Apparent colour" gives a higher number than would be obtained for "true colour" for the same sample.

 
No. Exceeding Reporting Level (& %) in Zones/Population
 
<10K
10K to 100K
>100K
Parameter / Retail Companies Reporting level Total no. of zones Total no. of tests Total Exceed-
ence		 % Fails No. of tests No. Fails % Fails No. of tests No. Fails % Fails No. of tests No. Fails % Fails
Colour (Pt/Co)
ALL 15 86 2381 85 3.6 1089 46 4.2 1576 37 2.3 748 12 1.6
YVW 15 32 1476 85 5.8 529 46 8.7 1108 50 4.5 671 12 1.8
CWW 15 15 619 5 0.8 169 0 0 448 0 0 - - -
SEW 15 39 1011 7 0.7 391 0 0 597 7 1.2 387 7 1.8
Turbidity (NTU)
ALL 5 86 2372 48 2 1080 48 4.4 1576 0 0 748 0 0
YVW 5 32 1467 48 3.3 520 48 9.2 1108 0 0 671 0 0
CWW 5 15 619 0 0 169 0 0 448 0 0 - - -
SEW 5 39 1011 0 0 391 0 0 597 0 0 387 0 0
pH (units)
ALL 6.5-8.5 86 2233 1 0 948 0 0 1562 1 0.1 748 1 0.1
YVW 6.5-8.5 32 1335 1 0.1 395 0 0 1101 2 0.2 671 1 0.1
CWW 6.5-8.5 15 605 1 0.2 162 0 0 441 0 0 - - -
SEW 6.5-8.5 39 1011 1 0.1 391 0 0 597 1 0.2 387 1 0.3

Note: Some monitoring locations cover multiple zones, different population groups or more than one retail water company.