At Sydney Water's biggest testing and monitoring facility, a team of around 220 experts conduct more than 70 different tests on water samples from all over the Sydney region every day. During periods of heavy rainfall like those forecast this Winter, samples are exposed to even greater testing to ensure drinking water is fit for consumption.

Warragamba

Sydney Water's largest testing and monitoring laboratory is increasing its workload in response to forecasts of heavy rainfall, which can raise the risk of contaminants entering the water supply. The facility's team of 220 experts conducts over 70 types of tests daily, including checks for bacteria, pesticides, and other harmful substances. New rapid testing technologies have been introduced, reducing the time needed for certain tests from six hours to just ten minutes, allowing for quicker and more precise treatment of the water supply.

In addition to laboratory testing, Sydney's desalination plant is also playing a key role in ensuring clean water during periods of extreme weather. An education campaign is underway to inform Sydney's migrant community about the safety of local tap water, as only a small portion of the global population has access to safe drinking water directly from the tap. The lab's staff are committed to maintaining high standards, even if it means working overtime during the wetter months.

Sydney's water monitoring lab on alert after wet weather

As Sydney shivers through the middle of winter, the Bureau is predicting more wet weather is just around the corner. And while that could be good news for our dams, Sydney Water says when it rains, it doesn't always pour drinking water. Heavy rainfalls can increase the risk of contamination in the reservoir water. Here at Australia's biggest water monitoring lab in Sydney's northern suburbs, the promise of more wet weather means more work to do. Manal Hamoud is one of a 220-strong team who carry out more than 70 different types of tests on water samples from all over the Sydney region every single day. With the higher rainfall, it washes off contaminants of animal waste and also soil-carrying bacteria that end up in the dam. Also, higher rainfall can cause disturbance to the sediments that stirs up bacteria that were previously settled. From checking for E. coli and Cryptosporidium to testing for pesticides, PFAS and parasites, Sydney Water says new methods like this one, used to detect potentially harmful natural and organic matter levels in our water, are constantly being developed. It replaces a traditional test, which actually takes about six hours to do each sample. And with this new technology that we've got, we'll be able to do that same test in about 10 minutes. And when it comes to keeping Sydney's water supply fit for consumption, quicker testing means more precise treating. We'll be able to react very quickly if there is any change, so that we can actually optimise the whole treatment process. In addition to the work Sydney Water does to treat the rainwater that falls into catchment areas, extreme weather also means a heavier workload at Sydney's desalination plant. It's imperative, even when we've got lots of rain, that desalination is still part of the water story, because that can sometimes be the cleanest water supply that we have access to at that time. And with just 20% of the world's population having access to safe drinking water straight from the tap, an education campaign targeting Sydney's growing migrant community is now underway. Many people who now live here may have not had tap water that was safe for drinking in their home country, and now living here they may not realise that our drinking water is perfectly safe to drink from the tap, and it's important that we communicate that message to our community. Back at Sydney's Water Monitoring Lab, high-tech science is key, but the team's work also needs that human touch, and critically, taste and smell too. We ourselves do the testing to make sure that the water that is coming out is of the best quality. And with the forecast of a wet few months ahead, that work has never been more important. We may have to work on the weekends, we may have to work overtime, but we make sure we give good quality results and the community is looked after.

It was not clear if Hamas’ statement meant it had accepted the proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 60-day ceasefire.

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President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

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Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

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CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

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The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

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Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

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Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

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Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

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