Water quality maintained by many activities

Water main flushing works are just one of many regular, on-going maintenance activities to maintain drinking water quality on the Peninsula, according to Gosford Council's Water and Sewer Directorate project communication officer Mr Nathan Slade.

"The main aim of these works is to reduce the likelihood of discoloured water," he said following the recent mains flushing on the Peninsula.

"Flushing activities are generally completed overnight when residential water-use is minimal because water quality can be impacted in a street during the works.

"Flushing a street can take between five to 30 minutes depending on the location and size of the main.

"We review the mains flushing program every three months and target areas based on the results of previous works and where localised discoloured water issues have emerged.

"These works are also supported by our regular swabbing and recently trialled ice-pigging programs that help keep the region's water mains clean and protect drinking water quality," he said.

He said that Council regularly tested water quality on the Peninsula to ensure it complied with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Mr Slade said the water quality was monitored at every stage of the supply system to make sure residents received drinking water that met the guidelines.

"Samples are regularly taken from the dams, before and after it's been through our water treatment plants, reservoirs and the reticulation system," said Mr Slade.

"Our testing to date shows drinking water across the region, including The Peninsula, complies with the guidelines.

"All samples are tested by Council or independent laboratories registered with the National Association of Testing Authorities in line with the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program."

Media Statement, 30 Jan 2012 Nathan Slade, Gosford Council