SA Water

In reply to Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (30 July 2019). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water): I have been advised:

SA Water undertakes a SA Health approved and comprehensive routine drinking water quality testing program. At the Myponga Water Treatment Plant, this includes continuous online monitoring of plant performance, as well as monthly sampling for Cryptosporidium from raw and product waters.

I am advised that SA Water has adopted the Drinking Water Quality Management Framework principles in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011), which provides guidance on the management of incidents and emergencies.

I am advised that SA Water currently publishes a comprehensive suite of water quality data in its Annual Report, on its website and on Data SA.

From time to time SA Water has detected Cryptosporidium in its water sources.

Prior to opening the Myponga reservoir for recreation, testing of a water sample from the Myponga system (post-treatment) undertaken on 12 April 2019 detected a single Cryptosporidiumoocyst. Testing of a duplicate sample (post-treatment) undertaken at the same time was negative for Cryptosporidium.

Subsequent testing identified this oocyst to be a species of Cryptosporidium which was not infectious to humans.