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Melbourne Water

Melbourne's water
storages are currently

70.6%

Eastern Treatment Plant Inputs and Discharges

Raw sewage monitoring

The quality of raw sewage entering the plant is described in the following table.

Parameter, Units
Median1
90th Percentile
Maximum
BOD5 (mg/L) 410 598 720
Suspended Solids (mg/L) 320 459 580
pH (pH units) 7.2 7.5 7.6
Ammonia as N (mg/L) 41 45 47
Total Combined Nitrogen (mg/L) 68 74 82
Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 12 14 15
Anionic Surfactants MBAS (mg/L) 4.3 6.2 7.0
Cadmium (mg/L) 0.0004 0.0010 0.0012
Chromium (mg/L) 0.017 0.067 0.19
Copper (mg/L) 0.10 0.13 0.38
Lead (mg/L) 0.005 0.012 0.093
Mercury (mg/L)1 0.0001 0.0003 0.0004
Phenol (μg/L)1 67 238 370
Toluene (μg/L)1 2.0 5.0 10
Benzene (μg/L)1 0.5 0.5 2.5
PAH's total (μg/L)2 0.37 0.48 0.50

Notes:

  1. 1/2 Limit of Detection Values used. All results found to be less than the detection limits were taken as half the given value i.e. <2 = 1.
  2. Total PAH’s are calculated using the sum of the following PAH’s: (acenapthylene, anthracene, 1,2-benzanthracene, 3,4-benzofluoranthene, benzo (k) fluoranthene, 1,12-benzoperylene, benzo(a) pyrene, chrysene, dibenzo(a.h)anthracene, fluorene and indeno(1.2.3-cd)pyrene. All results were less than the detection limit and were calculated at half the given value i.e. <2 = 1).
Discharge to water

The following results represent samples taken from the final effluent sample point at Trueman’s Rd and flow measurements at the Eastern Treatment Plant from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.

Parameter (units)
Median
90th Percentile
Maximum
Licence Limit
Result
Licence Limit
Result
Licence Limit
Result
BOD5 (mg/L) NS 7.5 NS 11 NS 19
CBOD5 (mg/L) 20 3 40 4 NS 6
Suspended Solids (mg/L) 30 6 60 9 NS 32
pH (pH units) NS 7.3 NS 7.5 ≥6, <9 7.0 - 7.6
Ammonia as N (mg/L)
(Truemans Rd)		 30 1.4 NS 2.7 40 4.2
Ammonia as N (mg/L)
(final effluent at ETP)		 5 3.0 NS 4.5 NS 5.7
Total Nitrogen (mg/L) NS 17.0 NS 23.2 NS 26
Total Phosphorus (mg/L) NS 7.1 15 8.4 NS 8.5
Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.4 0.1 0.7 0.2 NS 0.2
Cadmium (mg/L)1 NS 0.0001 0.005 0.0001 0.01 0.0002
Chromium (mg/L) NS 0.003 0.075 0.004 0.15 0.026
Copper (mg/L) NS 0.012 0.05 0.016 0.1 0.067
Lead (mg/L)1 NS 0.0005 0.05 0.0005 0.1 0.001
Mercury (mg/L)1 NS 0.00005 0.0005 0.00005 0.001 0.00005
Phenol (μg/L) NS 0.5 NS 0.5 100 0.5
Toluene (μg/L) NS 0.5 NS 0.5 50 0.5
Benzene (μg/L) NS 0.5 NS 0.5 25 0.5
PAH's total (μg/L)2 NS 0.25 NS 0.25 15 0.25
ETP discharge (ML/day)3 NS 274 NS 341 NS 535
Outfall discharge (ML/day)4 540 279 NS 354 NS 556
Total Residual Chlorine (mg/L) NS 0.12 NS 0.37 1.0 0.89
E.coli (orgs/100mL) 200 22 1000 177 NS 8800
Enterococci (orgs/100ml) NS 8 NS 87 NS 1400
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) NS 6.8 NS 7.3 ≥ 6.0 6.6 - 10.0

Notes:

  1. All results found to be less than the detection limit were taken as half the limit of detection (LOD) e.g. <8 = 4.
  2. Total Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH’s) are calculated using the sum of the following PAH’s: (acenapthylene, anthracene, 1,2-benzanthracene, 3,4-benzofluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, 1,12-benzoperylene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, dibenzo(a.h)anthracene, fluorene and indeno(1.2.3-cd)pyrene.
  3. ETP discharge flow excludes South East Water treatment plants that also discharge treated effluent into the South East Outfall.
  4. Total Outfall discharge flow is the actual flow to the Outfall including South East Water discharges to the South East Outfall minus recycled water taken from the South East Outfall.
  5. NS = No specified limit
Discharge to land

While there was no effluent discharged to land at the Eastern Treatment Plant (for irrigation purposes) the following table shows the results of a recycled water-monitoring program was undertaken during the year. The table reports water quality against the "Class C" requirements specified in the EPA Victoria Publication 464.2 "Guidelines for Use of Reclaimed Water", 2003.

E. colimedian org/100mL BOD5 mg/L
Median		 CBOD5 mg/L
Median		 Suspended Solids
mg/L
Median		 pH
Median
(Range)
Class C Limits < 1000 NA < 20 < 30 6.5 - 9.0
Rising main leaving the Eastern Treatment Plant1 4 5.0 2.0 5.0 6.7 - 7.6
Ballarto Rd Sample Point (SEO Manhole No. 069) 2 7.0 2.0 6.0 6.7 - 7.4
Range Rd Sample Point (SEO Manhole No. 035) 2 9.0 3.0 6.0 6.8 - 7.6
Truemans Rd Gunnamatta (SEO Manhole No. 003) 22 7.5 3.0 6.0 7.0 - 7.5
  1. Eastern Treatment Plant Reuse sample point
Effluentflow to the outfall

Daily and monthly median and maximum flows (ML/day) were measured during 2008/09. Monthly median and maximums are shown below. The total outfall flows for 2008/09 are as follows:

Description
Flow (ML)
 Comment
ETP Outflow
106,565
 Total outfall pump station flow minus internal plant use
Calculated outfall flow
106,522
Boags Rocks Outfall flow (ETP plus South East Water treatment plant flows, less water recycling)

Month
Median (ML/d)
Maximum (ML/d)
July 2008
328
506
August 2008
335
535
September 2008
307
404
October 2008
295
409
November 2008
304
430
December 2008
292
517
January 2009
258
333
February 2009
270
326
March 2009
259
310
April 2009
261
444
May 2009
261
290
June 2009
270
427
Bacteriological monitoring - beach samples

Samples of receiving waters were taken throughout the year at six locations along the Gunnamatta and St Andrews beaches as detailed below:

Beach 1 - The first bluff east of the discharge point
Beach 2 - Gunnamatta West beach opposite the amenities block
Beach 3 - Gunnamatta West beach opposite the Surf Life Saving Club
Beach 4 - Gunnamatta East beach approximately 350 metres east of sample point two
Beach 5 - Le Lievres beach 110 metres west of the discharge point
Beach 6 - Rye back beach - main swimming area.

The results are presented as a rolling 30-day median and rolling 60-day 75th percentile as per the recreational water quality guidelines given in the State Environment Protection Policy Waters of Victoria. The day results for E.coli and Enterococci for all samples taken at all the above sample points were consistent with the Policy requirements throughout the year. The results are as follows:

Beach E. coli data (orgs / 100 mL)
State Environmental Protection Policy Waters of Victoria require for primary contact recreation a rolling 30 day median of ≤ 150 Orgs/100 mL.

BEACH 1
BEACH 2
BEACH 3
BEACH 4
BEACH 5
BEACH 6
SAMPLE DATE
Day result
30 d Median
Day Result
30 d Median
Day Result
30 d Median
Day Result
30 d Median
Day Result
30 d Median
Day Result
30 d Median
2-Jul-08
14 12 2 6 6 10
9-Jul-08
0 0 0 2 6 0
16-Jul-08
6 0 0 0 20 0
23-Jul-08
12 0 0 0 0 2
30-Jul-08
0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0
6-Aug-08
0 0 0 0 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13-Aug-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20-Aug-08
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
27-Aug-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
3-Sep-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 0
10-Sep-08
240 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
17-Sep-08
0 0 2 2 2 0 110 0 2 0 2 0
24-Sep-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0
1-Oct-08
0 0 4 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 4 2
8-Oct-08
2 0 0 2 0 0 4 2 4 2 0 0
15-Oct-08
48 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 280 2 0 0
22-Oct-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
29-Oct-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 0
5-Nov-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 0 0
12-Nov-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 0
19-Nov-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 2 0
26-Nov-08
12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 240 8 0 0
3-Dec-08
10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 2 0
10-Dec-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
17-Dec-08
2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 0 0
22-Dec-08
0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 0 0
29-Dec-08
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 4 0 0
7-Jan-09
6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0
14-Jan-09
46 2 12 0 0 0 0 0 96 6 0 0
21-Jan-09
28 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 0 0
28-Jan-09
6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
4-Feb-09
0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
11-Feb-09
2 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 33 3 0 0
18-Feb-09
4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Feb-09
5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 88 0 2 0
4-Mar-09
10 4 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 0
11-Mar-09
2 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 18 18 2 0
18-Mar-09
26 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 0 0
25-Mar-09
0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 8 0 0
1-Apr-09
4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
8-Apr-09
0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 2 0
15-Apr-09
0 0 3 0 4 0 0 0 6 4 2 0
22-Apr-09
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
29-Apr-09
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6-May-09
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 41 4 0 0
13-May-09
4 0 2 0 6 0 6 0 2 2 0 0
20-May-09
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
27-May-09
2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 2 0 0
3-Jun-09
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 6 2 0
10-Jun-09
2 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 14 6 8 0
17-Jun-09
0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0
24-Jun-09
6 2 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 6 0 0

Beach Enterococci data (orgs / 100 mL)
State Environmental Protection Policy Waters of Victoria require for primary contact recreation a rolling 30 day median of = 35 Orgs/100 mL and a rolling 60 day 75th Percentile of = 150 orgs/100 mL
BEACH 1
BEACH2
BEACH 3
SAMPLE DATE
Day results
30 d Median
75th
%ile
Day Result
30 d Median
75th
%ile
Day Result
30 d Median
75th
%ile
2-Jul-08
 0 42 3
9-Jul-08
0 0 0
16-Jul-08
2 0 0
23-Jul-08
0 0 0
30-Jul-08
0 0 0 0 0 0
6-Aug-08
0 0 0 0 0 0
13-Aug-08
2 0 4 0 0 0
20-Aug-08
0 0 2 0 0 0
27-Aug-08
0 0 0 0 0 0
3-Sep-08
0 0 0 0 0 0
10-Sep-08
2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
17-Sep-08
0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
24-Sep-08
2 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
1-Oct-08
0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
8-Oct-08
0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
15-Oct-08
800 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
22-Oct-08
0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
29-Oct-08
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
5-Nov-08
0 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 0
12-Nov-08
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
19-Nov-08
4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
26-Nov-08
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
3-Dec-08
2 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 0
10-Dec-08
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
17-Dec-08
2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
22-Dec-08
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
29-Dec-08
10 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
7-Jan-09
2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
14-Jan-09
42 2 3 14 0 0 2 0 0
21-Jan-09
2 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
28-Jan-09
0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 4
4-Feb-09
0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
11-Feb-09
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
18-Feb-09
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Feb-09
2 0 2 8 0 1 0 0 0
4-Mar-09
0 0 2 0 0 1 2 0 0
11-Mar-09
6 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0
18-Mar-09
0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0
25-Mar-09
2 2 2 4 0 2 2 2 0
1-Apr-09
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0
8-Apr-09
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
15-Apr-09
2 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
22-Apr-09
0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
29-Apr-09
0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
6-May-09
2 0 2 0 0 1 4 0 0
13-May-09
2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
20-May-09
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
27-May-09
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
3-Jun-09
0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
10-Jun-09
4 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0
17-Jun-09
0 0 2 4 0 0 2 0 0
24-Jun-09
0 0 2 0 0 0 10 2 0

Beach Enterococci data (orgs / 100 mL)
BEACH4
BEACH5
BEACH6
SAMPLE DATE
Day Result
30 d Median
75th
%ile
Day Result
30 d Median
75th
%ile
Day Result
30 d Median
75th
%ile
2-Jul-08
4 10 47
9-Jul-08
0 0 0
16-Jul-08
0 2 2
23-Jul-08
0 0 0
30-Jul-08
0 0 0 0 0 0
6-Aug-08
0 0 0 0 2 0
13-Aug-08
0 0 8 0 6 2
20-Aug-08
0 0 0 0 0 0
27-Aug-08
0 0 2 0 0 0
3-Sep-08
0 0 4 2 0 0
10-Sep-08
0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 2
17-Sep-08
6 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1
24-Sep-08
0 0 0 16 2 3 0 0 1
1-Oct-08
0 0 0 2 2 3 0 0 0
8-Oct-08
0 0 0 10 2 6 0 0 0
15-Oct-08
0 0 0 1200 10 9 0 0 0
22-Oct-08
0 0 0 6 10 9 0 0 0
29-Oct-08
0 0 0 0 6 8 0 0 0
5-Nov-08
0 0 0 2 6 8 0 0 0
12-Nov-08
0 0 0 10 6 10 0 0 0
19-Nov-08
0 0 0 0 2 10 0 0 0
26-Nov-08
0 0 0 30 2 13 0 0 0
3-Dec-08
0 0 0 0 2 13 0 0 0
10-Dec-08
0 0 0 4 4 10 0 0 0
17-Dec-08
0 0 0 4 4 10 0 0 0
22-Dec-08
0 0 0 0 4 8 0 0 0
29-Dec-08
0 0 0 26 4 8 2 0 0
7-Jan-09
0 0 0 0 4 7 0 0 0
14-Jan-09
4 0 0 32 4 18 8 0 0
21-Jan-09
0 0 0 4 4 18 0 0 0
28-Jan-09
0 0 0 0 4 15 0 0 0
4-Feb-09
0 0 0 4 4 15 0 0 0
11-Feb-09
4 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0
18-Feb-09
0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
25-Feb-09
4 0 2 4 0 4 0 0 0
4-Mar-09
0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0
11-Mar-09
0 0 2 10 0 7 0 0 0
18-Mar-09
0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0
25-Mar-09
4 0 4 2 2 4 0 0 0
1-Apr-09
0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0
8-Apr-09
0 0 2 4 2 4 0 0 0
15-Apr-09
0 0 2 4 2 4 4 0 0
22-Apr-09
0 0 2 0 2 4 0 0 0
29-Apr-09
0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
6-May-09
0 0 0 12 4 4 0 0 0
13-May-09
0 0 0 6 4 5 2 0 0
20-May-09
0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0
27-May-09
0 0 0 6 6 5 0 0 0
3-Jun-09
0 0 0 0 6 5 2 0 1
10-Jun-09
0 0 0 4 4 5 2 2 2
17-Jun-09
8 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 2
24-Jun-09
0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 2
Discharges to air
Outfall Pump Station Engine

The current EPA Victoria discharge licence condition No. 2.6 for the Eastern Treatment Plant requires that annual monitoring of at least one of the five outfall pump engine stacks when operating on sludge gas. As there is no outfall engine operating on sludge gas, no sampling was conducted for outfall pump engine emissions during the year 2008/09.

As there was no outfall engine operating on sludge gas, no sampling was conducted for outfall pump engine emission, as agreed by EPA.

Power Station Engine

During 2008/09, sludge gas was used primarily for the operation of the power engines in the power station. The current EPA Victoria discharge licence is under review and any future monitoring requirements for exhaust emission from the power station engines will be one outcome of this review.