Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
MENU
Skip Navigation LinksHome Legislative Council House Business Papers

Question and Answer Tracking Details

2063 - Regional Water - ATTUNGA WATER CALCIUM CONCENTRATIONS

Mookhey, Daniel to the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Regional Water, Minister for Trade and Industry
  1. Regarding reports that residents in Attunga have seen appliances such as washing machines and shower heads breaking due to high concentrations of calcium in the water supply:
    1. What remedies are available to residents in New England and North West New South Wales who are forced to pay for replacement appliances due to calcium concentrations in water supply?
    2. In addition to health guidelines, what other guidelines and rules are local water authorities obliged to follow in New South Wales?
    3. What action has the Minister taken to ensure local water authorities are meeting all state and commonwealth guidelines, expectations and requirements with regard to water supply?
Answer -
  1. Local Water Utilities in regional NSW are responsible for the management and provision of drinking water to their customers. In Attunga, Tamworth Regional Council is the local water utility.
    Water hardness, caused by elevated levels of calcium and other minerals, can cause the build-up of scale on household water fittings and fixtures.
    A guideline value for water hardness is included in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). However, this value is only an aesthetic guideline as there is no health concern with an increased water hardness.
    Any remedies for household fixture and fitting impacts due to water hardness would be subject to level of service negotiations between the local water utility and its customers.
  2. A local water utility's planning and operation of water supply and sewerage systems is guided by the NSW Best Practice Management for Water Supply and Sewerage framework, which is managed by DoI Water.
  3. In 2017, the NSW Government announced the start of a water Infrastructure funding program for regional NSW; the Safe and Secure Water Program. This program welcomes expressions of interest from eligible applicants including local water utilities. The program targets water and sewerage projects in regional NSW to ensure infrastructure meets contemporary standards.

Question asked on 6 March 2018 (session 56-1) and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 141
Answer received on 10 April 2018 and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 147

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.