Power and Water has released its Drinking Water Quality Report 2023, which includes a quality assessment for each of the 91 water supply schemes throughout the territory.
The utility said that it is committed to embracing a sustainable future through innovation, focusing on water security solutions that support economic and community growth opportunities.
Power and Water Executive General Manager Water Services, Stephen Vlahovic, said, “Our Drinking Water Policy commits to providing safe drinking water to our customers in line with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).”
“A significant achievement was the development of a three-year Safe Water Plan for 2023–2025, guiding drinking water quality improvements. A notable milestone achieved in the first year of this plan was the completion of water safety assessments for all 91 schemes.”
In 2023, Northern Territory Government agencies and Power and Water launched the Territory Water Plan, the Northern Territory’s first whole-of-government strategic plan for water. This plan aims to deliver water security for all Territorians, now and into the future.
“We are working collaboratively with the Northern Territory Government and the communities we serve to realise the benefits of these strategic priority actions,” Mr Vlahovic said.
The Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program – which includes the Manton Dam return to service and the development of the Adelaide River Off-Stream Water Storage (AROWS) project – is a collaborative effort to deliver strategic infrastructure that will enable economic growth supported by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments.
“The establishment of a Community Reference Group for this program highlights our emphasis on listening to our customers,” Mr Vlahovic said.
Across the territory, many remote communities rely on groundwater – which can be hard, salty and may contain naturally occurring minerals such as nitrate, fluoride and uranium. Power and Water said that investment in research demonstrates its commitment to developing and evaluating technologies that offer solutions to these challenging water quality issues.
“Our water quality experts collaborated with Clean TeQ Water to deliver the Laramba Water Treatment Plant, which has reduced uranium levels to below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines,” Mr Vlahovic said.
“Our improvement program in remote communities delivering priority infrastructure upgrades continues through the Northern Territory Government’s co-investment in securing National Water Grid funding.
“In the coming year, priority focus areas will include improved outcomes for remote communities, with several additional water security projects underway, including in Beswick, Maningrida, Wadeye, Umbakumba and Angurugu.
“In partnership with the Australian Government, planning works are progressing in Alupurrulum and Amplitiwatja to ensure improved water quality outcomes.”
In Katherine, Australia’s largest PFAS treatment plant using ion-exchange technology commenced operations.
“This water treatment solution ensures safe drinking water for Katherine residents, meeting future demand over a 30-year planning horizon,” Mr Vlahovic said.
“We are proud to have an essential role in providing sustainable and secure drinking water so that our communities can realise economic and population growth.”
Power and Water’s Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2023 can be found here.
Featured image: Alan Hort/Shutterstock.com
