Town water in eight local communities supplied by Westerport Water was found to breach Australian Water Quality standards for Trihalomethanes in 07/08. These compounds are apparently formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter which is typically found in Candowie Reservoir.
Trihalomethanes have been linked to bladder cancer. Trihalomethanes readings above the Australian Water Quality Standard of 0.250mg/l were recorded in a number of locations in 07/08. Local Figures are here and full details are at:
Trihalomethanes 2007/8
Community Readings Above Water Quality Standard 0.250mg/l
Town/Suburb | Water Authority | Maximum Reading | Minimum Reading |
Cowes | Westernport Water | 0.350mg/l (mean 0.249mg/l) | 0.170mg/l |
Grantville | Westernport Water | 0.350mg/l (mean 0.207mg/l) | 0.012mg/l |
Ventor | Westernport Water | 0.340mg/l (mean 0.179mg/l) | 0.029mg/l |
Cape Woolamai | Westernport Water | 0.300mg/l (mean 0.211mg/l) | 0.160mg/l |
Rhyll | Westernport Water | 0.280mg/l (mean 0.219mg/l) | 0.140mg/l |
Kilcunda | Westernport Water | 0.270mg/l (mean 0.183mg/l) | 0.097mg/l |
San Remo | Westernport Water | 0.260mg/l (mean 0.190mg/l) | 0.100mg/l |
Corinella | Westernport Water | 0.250mg/l (mean 0.171mg/l) | 0.130mg/l |
Cape Paterson | South Gippsland Water | 0.260mg/l | <0.089mg/l |
Wonthaggi | South Gippsland Water | 0.270mg/l | <0.071mg/l |
Meeniyan | South Gippsland Water | 0.250mg/l | <0.096mg/l |
Tags:
candowie, water quality, westernport water
Posted at: 12:26 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
It seems that the company ultimately behind the blue gum plantation alongside Candowie Reservoir which has been approved by Bass Coast Shire is Malaysian based Rimbunan Hijau.
Well the Shire and Westerport Water can expect more than a few complaints from people who drink the water once the planatation is in full swing. Have a look at http://www.masalai-i-tokaut.com/ to check out the prior performance of this logging group. The site mainly deals with old growth forest logging - but it demonstrates the cavalier attitude to the environment and people's rights.
Tags:
bass coast shire, blue gum plantations, candowie, westernport water
Posted at: 05:59 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
The establishment of a Blue Gum plantation next to Candowie Reservoir demonstrates just how gullible some people are. The site is within an area designated as a 'Special Water Supply Catchment' but Bass Coast Shire approved the permit, and Westernport Water didn't even object!
Sure there are permit conditions which try to impose some sort of control over how the plantation is managed - but down here conditions are seldom enforced and the operators know that. The proponents will have to prepare an Environmental Management Plan, a Risk Management Plan and a Timber Harvesting Plan - it will be interesting to see how these plans are assessed.
One of the main reasons for allowing it was apparently that forestry was regarded as less of a problem than the inappropriate farming practices currently conducted. It probably didn't occur to any of the planners that maybe it would have been better to protect the water source for the regional community by stopping those inappropriate practices! Cropping and grazing right up to the edge of the water and in watercourses had and still has a major impact on water quality.
Buffers on creek lines as little as 10 metres have been approved which will mean that water flowing into...
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Tags:
bass coast shire, candowie, forestry, westernport water
Posted at: 07:58 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink