Power and Water is continuing to drive research and development and infrastructure upgrades to protect and improve drinking water quality across the Northern Territory.
The Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2021 details how Power and Water manages and maintains water quality in the five major and 14 minor urban centres and 72 remote communities it services.
“We operate across 1.3 million square kilometres in some of the most challenging and diverse conditions in Australia,” Power and Water Executive General Manager Water Services, Steven Porter said.
“Our Water Services team works closely with communities to understand their water supply source and to treat their water to the highest possible safety standards.”
Delivering safe drinking water is a key priority for Power and Water.
Treatment processes to protect and improve drinking water quality are applied in response to the water source and location, such as groundwater, surface water or catchments such as Darwin River Dam.
Remote communities who rely on groundwater for their water supply can face drinking quality challenges from naturally occurring minerals.
“That’s why we are investing in research and development that aims to minimise the presence of minerals such as nitrate, fluoride and uranium that can impact on the appearance and taste of water, including a membrane Capacitive Deionisation trial in Ali Curung,” said Mr Porter.
Power and Water specialists continue to play a key role in the delivery of the NT Government’s $28 million investment into improving water quality and security in remote areas.
Power and Water is also continuing to rollout upgrades to water treatment systems in remote communities like Bulla that improved water quality results and reduced the community’s reliance on groundwater by increasing surface water use.
Other works included new bores, network upgrades and the installation of ‘smart’ water meters that provide readily accessible data to monitor and help reduce water use.
As the owner and operator of the Territory’s water major water supply networks, Power and Water is central to the Territory’s $40 billion economic future.
“A sustainable, secure and safe water supply that meets the demands of the community today and into the future is essential in realising economic and population growth,” said Mr Porter.
“We are continuing to plan for the future, including the Manton Dam Return to Service and the Adelaide River Offsite Water Storage projects for the Greater Darwin region.”
Ends
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