Water Quality
Drinking Water Guidelines
Central Tablelands Water has a comprehensive testing regime to ensure that water quality meets the required standards. We use standards set out in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which are based on drinking water guidelines developed by the World Health Organisation. We also cooperate with the NSW Department of Health in our management of water quality.
Testing is carried out regularly. This testing regime helps to build up a history of water quality and identify any problems within the system. Common tests include E.Coli and total coliforms bacteria, pH, temperature, colour, turbidity, fluoride, chlorine, aluminium, iron, manganese and hardness.
Water quality programs are implemented to ensure that reticulated water meets the National Health and Medicine Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines, as well as to ensure that it is free from disease causing micro-organisms.
Water quality testing
We monitor and maintain water quality from the catchment to the tap. An independent laboratory undertakes testing.
Water quality results below contain results of water testing undertaken during the last 12 months.
Central Tablelands Water Welcomes National PFAS Review
The Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released revised guidelines on PFAS limits for consultation in October 2024. The revised guidelines propose a significant reduction in health-based guideline values for PFAS within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the mid-1900s. PFAS are of concern as they do not break down easily and can persist for a long time in the environment.
Council completed sampling for PFAS against the existing health-based guideline values in October 2024 with results for all sites being below a detectable limit of <0.01ug/L.
In response to the proposed reduced guideline values, Council has completed additional sampling and testing for PFAS with the assistance of NSW Health (Public Health Unit).
The sampling and testing indicates Council’s water supply meets all of the requirements of the proposed reduced guideline values. Additionally, the water supplied by Central Tablelands Water to Cowra Council residents meets all of the requirements of the proposed reduced guideline values.
A summary of these results against the proposed health-based guidelines is as follows:
| PFAS | Draft Guidelines | CTW |
|---|---|---|
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) | <1 ugh/L | <0.001 ug/L |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) | <0.03 ug/L | <0.001 ug/L |
| Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) | <0.004 ug/L | <0.001 ug/L |
| Perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) | <0.2ug/L | <0.001 ug/L |
| Total PFAS | <0.001 ug/L |
For further information about PFAS please refer to this fact sheet from Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA).
Council will continue to complete its regular sampling program in accordance with the ADWG and NSW Health.
Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Fact Sheet | Water Services Association of Australia (wsaa.asn.au)
For more information, please contact CTW office during business hours 02 63917200 or email [email protected]
30 Church Street BLAYNEY NSW 2799
Postal Address: PO BOX 61, BLAYNEY NSW 2799
Ph: (02) 6391 7200
email: [email protected]
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