Abstract:
INDICATOR DEFINITION
Potable water quality measured monthly at Australian Antarctic and Subantarctic Stations.
TYPE OF INDICATOR
There are three types of indicators used in this report:
1.Describes the CONDITION of important elements of a system;
2.Show the extent of the major PRESSURES exerted on a system;
3.Determine RESPONSES to either condition or changes in the condition of a system.
This
... indicator is one of: CONDITION
RATIONALE FOR INDICATOR SELECTION
Potable water quality is an indicator of natural environmental water quality. Any contamination may be from either natural or human impacts, but analysis provides a useful indicator for further examination of causes, and a long term record of natural water quality around human settlements.
DESIGN AND STRATEGY FOR INDICATOR MONITORING PROGRAM
Water is obtained from a number of sources dependant upon the station: from desalination plants, melt bells, natural melt lakes and natural streams.
Potable water quality is measured monthly at storage water tanks and various tap outlets around stations - mostly at the main living, sleeping and medical quarters.
Spatial Scale: Australian Antarctic stations: Australian Antarctic continental stations and Macquarie Island station.
Frequency: Monthly
Measurement Technique: Test is conducted by either the Station Medical Officer or the Station Plumber for the following parameters: pH, conductivity, turbidity and faecal coliforms.
RESEARCH ISSUES
Testing is used primarily to determine health of potable water for consumption. However testing may show either natural or human impacts in the natural catchments of water sources. Test results that show unusual contaminant levels leads to investigation of causes, whether in the station infrastructure or natural water catchments.
LINKS TO OTHER INDICATORS
SOE Indicator 48 - Station and ship person days
SOE Indicator 50 - Volume of wastewater discharged from Australian Antarctic Stations
SOE Indicator 51 - Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of wastewater discharged from Australian Antarctic Stations
SOE Indicator 52 - Suspended solids (SS) content of wastewater discharged from Australian Antarctic Stations 
