Water is supplied in two forms: raw water and treated water:

Raw water: is untreated water, straight from the dam that is not suitable for drinking - it accounts for approximately 77% of water utilised in the region.

Treated water: is water that is treated in the water treatment plants to a potable or drinkable standard - it accounts for the remaining 23%.

The Gladstone Area Water Board has a comprehensive water quality monitoring program which includes monitoring of the following areas:

• At a number of sites in the upper Boyne River in the Boyne Valley, to determine the quality of water entering Awoonga Dam;
• At a number of sites in Awoonga Dam to determine the quality of water pumped from Awoonga Dam; and
• At a number of sites in the lower Boyne River downstream of Awoonga Dam.

Testing takes place at every stage from the Boyne catchment, into Lake Awoonga, leaving Lake Awoonga, into and out of the water treatment plants and at reservoirs and other points in the treated water distribution network.

Water is analysed for physical, chemical and biological parameters with the results being compared to relevant guidelines such as the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for treated water and ANZECC guidelines for raw water in the catchment and downstream of the dam. The Gladstone Area Water Board monitors water quality on a regular basis.

The distribution network is monitored to determine the quality of the water that is being delivered to the Gladstone Area Water Boards supply points.