We previously reported how mining and industrial pollution in combination with droughts, floods and bushfires leads to contamination of the water supplies in Australia, which also affects city and coastal populations. [1]
Currently in early December, 2019, most states in Australia are in the midst of severe drought and heatwaves. While the authorities are entrusted with ensuring the safety of our dams and drinking water in spite of the worst of the current drought conditions, problems occur as water supplies run low and evaporate, leading to salinization of the water and the growth of toxic algae. Heavy metals, pollutants and fertilizers in the catchment areas and within dam sediment gather and concentrate with decreased water flow, and are then released into the water treatment plants.[2] A recent spate of bushfires further exacerbated the quality of water for treatment plants through burnt pollutants falling from the air into the dam areas.
A recent article by ABC News [3] reported that samples taken from Sydney’s Cataract and Cordeaux Dams had exceeded acceptable levels of iron more than 90 times over the last 3 years.
The iron contamination was described as a “shocking metallic sludge” and is a result of dissolved metallic elements produced by coal mining making their way into the dams’ catchment areas, in combination with the dams’ capacities now being below 30% due to drought conditions. Unusually high levels of aluminum were also found in both dams, with scientists proposing that a deeper examination of the sludge was likely to also expose levels of manganese, lithium, strontium, barium, titanium, zinc and nickel, which are commonly found along with iron.
This metallic sludge is a ticking time-bomb, where further changes to water levels, temperature or water movement in the bottom of these dams could trigger the contaminated sediment to dissolve into the higher water levels.
Stock image from https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1453157
Furthermore, it was reported that within the Cordeaux dam catchment area, the practice of longwall coal mining operations south of Sydney had impacted local wetlands. [4] Longwall mining involves horizontal tunneling which damages the sandstone layer above, which in some cases lies under swamp areas. This leads to a premature draining of the swamps, exacerbating the drought’s effects. Normally, the swamps provide a natural filter for the water. Without them, our catchment areas are exposed to a much higher level of possible contaminants.
Water authorities often play down the impact of the contamination, stating that other sources of water were available to “balance water quality and quantity” and that variation in contaminants and water quality were common and natural occurrences which they monitored closely and treated as necessary.
As consumers, we tend to believe them and take the safety of our tap water for granted but that is becoming increasingly risky as the effects of climate change increase in severity, and our catchment areas are exposed to harsher droughts and rampant bushfires followed by a season of flooding. For peace of mind and the health of family members, a household water filter can easily be argued to be no longer a luxury but a necessity.
Call us today on (02) 8840 5177, or email us at sales@ilanwater.com.au, to discuss our range of water filtration systems to provide clean and great tasting drinking water at your home or office.
Australia-wide delivery available!
References
- https://www.ilanwater.com.au/is-your-drinking-water-safe/
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-06/ash-rain-threatens-quality-of-drinking-water-and-aquatic-life/11774076
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-01/sydney-dams-being-contaminated-with-metallic-sludge/11751202
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-17/longwall-mining-impact-on-drinking-water/11519970