AWWA ACE99484

This paper outlines the impact of the events of the Sydney, Australia, water contamination crisis in 1998 on the operations of the Prospect Water Filtration Plant. To provide the maximum protection for consumers, Sydney Water requested that Australian Water Services initiate actions intended to maximise pathogen removal across the process. In June 1998, heavy rains followed an extended dry period, which could explain the high pathogen levels measured in the raw water. However, filtered water turbidities were consistently low and, in Australian Water Service's view, there was no evidence of sustained process failure that would have been necessary to explain a system wide contamination. The high result being reported from both the distribution and the plant suggested either an improbably high load of pathogens in the raw water, failure of the filtration process to effectivley remove pathogens and/or problems with the analyses. These factors led Australia Water Services to initiate its own response in addition to that described above that involved: instituting a sampling program monitoring the performance of the plant in parallel to AWT; seconding experienced operating personnel from the United Kingdom and France to assist the plant operators; and, undertaking a detailed review of the available analytical data to determine its reliability. Results of these programs are discussed.

Product Details

Published:

01/01/1999

ISBN(s):

1583210016

Number of Pages:

16

File Size:

1 file , 360 KB