Water Quality
Drinking water and water that comes into contact with people should be safe to use. Water also needs to be available in sufficient quantity so that it promotes good health and hygiene.
We use water in many ways and NSW Health is involved in developing various standards for water quality for these different purposes:
- Drinking water quality - we are involved in drinking water quality monitoring programs to ensure the availability and adequate supply of water for drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene.
- Recreational water quality where lakes, dams, rivers, streams and beaches/ocean may be used for recreational purposes.
- Swimming pools and spa pools water quality - we provide guidelines to control the public health risk associated with public swimming and spa pools.
- Household water quality - we provide guidelines and accreditation for wastewater and sewage to safely reuse wastewater for toilet flushing, clothes washing, general household cleaning, fire fighting, garden watering and car washing.
New Requirements for Suppliers of Drinking Water
The Public Health Act 2010 and the Public Health Regulation 2012 have new requirements for water utilities, private water suppliers, and water carters.
New record keeping requirements relating to water carters (and water utilities that supply to water carters) commenced on 1 September 2012.
Drinking water suppliers are required to develop and adhere to a ‘quality assurance program’ (or drinking water management system) from 1 September 2014.
For more information see Drinking Water Suppliers