eFlash #610
Date: 15-Oct-2024
In this edition: Meeting to discuss Safe Work Australia proposed Workplace Exposure Limits impact on trade waste customers | Essentials Webinar: The Water Supply Regulator perspective on processing amendments to a DWQMP | qldwater Emerging Contaminants Workshop | qCRAC wins AWA Organisational Excellence Award | Drinking Water Regulation Workshop | Webinar recording: PFAS in the urban water sector | National Water Grid funding for Indigenous Councils | 3G Closure: Telstra GO Repeaters software update | New requirements for electrical work near energised electrical equipment | California's direct potable reuse regulations flow into action | WaterAID Walk for Water | Fostering sustainable behaviour workshop | PC call for submissions on Circular Economy
Meeting to discuss Safe Work Australia Proposed Workplace Exposure Limits impact on trade waste customers
qldwater will participate in a WSAA led meeting on the impact of proposed H2S limits on our sector on Friday 18 October at 11:00am (AEDST) (10:00am Queensland time).
The meeting relates to Safework Australia’s proposal to reduce the workplace exposure limits for hydrogen sulphide from 15pp to 5ppm (Short Term Exposure limit) and from 10ppm to 1ppm (Time Weighted Average). The water sector is planning to oppose these new limits during SWA's consultation period in late October 2024 (exact dates yet to be confirmed) and the outcomes of the meeting will be included in the submission.
The agenda includes the influence of trade waste customers on hydrogen sulphide levels, how this implicates trade waste licenses/agreements and how trade waste customers can be included in the discussions to hear their views on the limits.
The TEAMS details for the meeting are:
Meeting ID: 418 594 288 635
Passcode: Y5mnUH
Please share the details with your colleagues who have an interest in trade waste.
Essential Webinar: The Water Supply Regulation perspective on processing amendments to a DWQMP
A reminder that the webinar with the Water Supply Regulator will take place at 10.00am on Thursday 17 October 2024. Presented by Matt Ruygrok, Senior Regulatory Officer in Water Supply Regulation, Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water will address:
- The process for amending DWQMPs
- Common issues and omissions in DWQMPs in light of the new Guidelines
- WSR authorised officers and associated powers under the Act
There should be plenty of time for questions.
qldwater Emerging Contaminants Workshop
Register now for the qldwater Emerging Contaminants Workshop to be held in Townsville on 21-22 November.
The workshop will be held as an in-person event only over two days at the new Engineering & Innovation Place, James Cook University, Townsville:
Thursday 21 November 2024 – Technical Tour
- Wilmar Sugar Pty Ltd – Pioneer Sugar Mill
- Burdekin Shire Council Pacific Bio – RegenAqua Macroalgae Plant (HRAP), Ayr
Friday 22 November 2024 – Workshop Presentations
We have assembled a range of speakers on the following three themes:
- Science progressing understanding of emerging contaminants
- Emerging contaminants regulation and solutions
- Utilities' responses to emerging contaminants
This event is proudly supported by the qldwater Consortium for Research and Advocacy on Contaminants. Please contact Louise Reeves for more information.
qCRAC wins AWA Organisational Excellence Award
We are excited to announce that the qldwater Consortium for Research and Advocacy on Contaminants of Concern (qCRAC) took out the Organisation Excellence Award at the Australian Water Association’s (AWA) Queensland Gala Dinner last week.
Program Lead Louise Reeves accepted the award on behalf of the consortium, a small but passionate bunch of professionals that are dealing daily with the impacts of contaminants like PFAS on their businesses, but are trying to do something about it through research and advocacy.
Thanks especially to our Chair, Jeanette Harrold from Fraser Coast Regional Council, Deputy Chair Andrew Murray from Toowoomba Regional Council and Kelly Hopewell and Andrew Stevenson from City of Gold Coast for supporting our nomination.
In accepting the award, Louise said that she was immensely proud of what the group has achieved over the last five years including the chemical concoctions information website and a project that is underway right now that will help to establish baseline levels of contaminants including PFAS in Queensland regional urban sewage catchments.
This win is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision for a sustainable water future in Queensland.
We’d also like to acknowledge the other amazing winners of the evening, many of whom have played an integral part in qCRAC and/or the Water Directorate including:
- Anna Whelan from Townsville City Council - Regional Service Award,
- Mark Trembath from Xylem - Distinguished Service Award
- Cameron Jackson from Urban Utilities – Water Professional of the Year
- Gympie Regional Council – R&D Excellence Award
- Unitywater – Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Metro)
The Queensland Water Award winners will go on to represent the state in the national Australian Water Awards, which will be presented at the AWA’s annual water conference and exhibition, Ozwater’25, in Adelaide.
Drinking Water Regulation Workshop
The Drinking Water Regulator is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, 30 October at the Highfields Cultural Centre in Toowoomba.
The event will run from 9.00am to 2.45pm with presentations including practical reservoir inspections, generic HAB resources and action plans, tools to help with NPR reporting changes, urban water security planning and more.
For more information email drinkingwater.reporting@rdmw.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3199 4865.
Webinar recording: PFAS in the urban water sector
Our colleagues from Victoria's Intelligent Water Networks partnership hosted a Lunch and Learn Special Event webinar with Dr Ian Ross from CDM Smith who is working on a number of PFAS projects for the Water Research Foundation.
The comprehensive presentation is specifically relevant to our sector and incorporated the background on PFAS chemistry, precursors, interface effects, wastewater treatment and many more topics.
IWN have shared the video recording of the presentation. Dr Ross' presentation begins at the 5:40 mark. Watch the video here.
National Water Grid Funding for Indigenous Councils
The Australian and Queensland Government have announced $62 million to improve water security in 11 remote communities:
- almost $26 million to upgrade water infrastructure in Cherbourg, including water treatment plant upgrades, a new reservoir and new mains
- $10 million for the Northern Peninsula Area for upgrades to the Bamaga water treatment plant which will also service Seisia, New Mapoon, Umagico and Injinoo, and new mains infrastructure in the region
- $6 million for water treatment plant upgrades and associated works at WujalWujal
- $6 million for water treatment upgrades and associated works on Mornington Island (Kunhanhaa)
- $9 million for water treatment plant upgrades and a new reservoir for Doomadgee
- $4 million for a second bore and a larger cooling pond for Birdsville, which comes from a bore that surfaces at almost 100oC.
- almost $2 million for a new raw water bore and reticulation system to supply potable water to Dajarra
These upgrades will have real, tangible effects on the everyday lives of people that live in these communities.
3G Closure: Check if your Telstra GO has the latest software update and is configured to boost 4G signal
Many Telstra GO Repeaters operate on both 3G and 4G and will not be impacted when 3G closes from 28 October 2024. However, in some instances they may have been configured to only operate on 3G and hasn’t been updated with the latest software. We encourage you to check your Telstra GO Repeater settings using a smartphone with the Cel-Fi WAVE app installed to see if its correctly configured to boost 4G signals and has the latest software update.
To ensure you are getting the best possible 4G experience when 3G closes on 28 October 2024, Telstra has created a factsheet with instructions to update your Telstra Go repeater with the latest software, check setting on your device so it is boosting 4G coverage and to also check if your current antenna is compatible with the 4G network. Use the link to download the factsheet https://qrco.de/bewdvA
If you have any further questions or concerns, please reach out to telstranwvic@team.telstra.com
New Requirements for Electrical Work Near Energised Electrical Equipment
The Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024 (ESOLA Regulation) implements further recommendations from the Review of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002.
From 1 January 2025, requirements for electrical work ‘on’ energised electrical equipment are extended to apply to electrical work ‘near’ energised electrical equipment.
PCBUs must not perform electrical work within three metres of an exposed energised part of electrical equipment, unless an exemption applies.
And, from 1 April 2025, water equipment is prescribed as prescribed electrical equipment. This means extra low voltage water equipment is brought within the remit of Queensland’s electrical safety framework.
Water equipment means any apparatus, appliance, cable, conductor, fitting, insulator, material, meter or wire that:
- is operated or used for controlling, generating, supplying, transforming or transmitting electricity at extra low voltage
- can only be operated or used when connected to an external source of electricity
Read more about how supply chain duties, licensing requirements and other parts of the framework apply to water equipment at Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024 | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au
California’s Direct Potable Reuse Regulations Flow into Action
After years of scientific and public health research, extensive regulatory development, and a strict water quality monitoring framework, the state of California has provided a safe and proven potable reuse option to water agencies for source water alternatives, further ensuring long-term water reliability.
The regulation places scientific evidence for direct potable reuse, paving the way for a Circular Economy in the water sector.
WaterAid Walk for Water
The qldwater team would like to thank all the generous sponsors who supported Georgina, Neil and Jess to Walk for Water. We managed to raise over $1,000 contributing to a total of $190,342 raised during the 2024 campaign period.
Fostering Sustainable Behaviour Workshop
Dr Doug McKenzie-Mohr will be delivering a virtual Fostering Sustainable Behaviour Workshop on 26-28 November.
The introductory workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to community-based social marketing and how it is being applied throughout the world to foster behaviours that protect the environment. This workshop is essential training for anyone who delivers programs to promote sustainable behaviours, such as waste reduction, water and energy efficiency, modal transportation shifts, and conservation.
It consists of three four-hour sessions spread over three days. Follow this link for more information and to register.
CURRENT CONSULTATIONS
PC call for submissions on Circular Economy
The Productivity Commission has put out a call for submissions on Opportunities in the Circular Economy.
The PC has been asked by the Minister for the Environment and Water to identify opportunities to improve materials productivity and efficiency, consider the broader impacts of adopting these opportunities, and propose a set of priority actions to improve circularity. These opportunities could be economy wide, within sectors, at the product level and at different segments of the supply chain or product life cycle.
The five industries that have been identified to have the most potential to advance the circular economy are mining, construction, manufacturing, agriculture and waste management. Biosolids and treated wastewater both fit well within this group. qldwater will be making a submission, please contact Louise or Georgina with any comments or additions.
Submissions close on Friday 1 November 2024.