Conference Papers | 2009 Conference Papers

DEALING WITH TASTE AND ODOUR PROBLEMS ARISING FROM ALGAL BLOOMS IN A RAW WATER RESERVOIR

Chris Keogh, Water Treatment Plant Operator, Armidale Dumaresq Council.
Mike Brooks, Senior Engineer Utilities, Armidale Dumaresq Council.

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ABSTRACT

Malpas Dam is Armidale Water Treatment Plant’s primary source of raw water. Since its construction there have been problems with algae, with a number of significant blooms occurring almost every year. If not dealt with these blooms cause taste and odour problems in the treated water and in the extreme may have an impact on human health.

Water Treatment Plant (WTP) staff have over the years tried to minimize problems by regular monitoring of the raw water in the dam for algae, treatment of the water at source, including destratification and dosing with an algaecide, and the addition of powdered activated carbon to the incoming raw water supply. This has been an expensive and time consuming process that requires constant vigilance on the part of the operators to ensure that water supplied to the citizens of Armidale is pure and wholesome.