Water Quality

Water is an essential and precious commodity for human life. At a very basic level, a minimum amount of water is required for consumption on a daily basis for survival. We also need water for domestic activities such as cooking, cleaning, washing, bathing and gardening.

Not only do we need water for everyday living but many of us also enjoy the recreational resource that water offers. Water is used for a variety of recreational purposes, such as swimming, diving, water-skiing, surfing, boating and fishing.

The quality of water is equally important to its availability for public health. Unsafe water can lead to outbreaks of infectious water-related diseases. Throughout history outbreaks of cholera and typhoid have been linked with poor quality water. Even today, water-related diseases are still a major problem in many countries.

The Public and Environmental Health Service develops and implements state-wide policy and legislation relating to water quality, assists with risk management and plays a coordinating role for water quality management in Tasmania.

References

• Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2004), NHMRC & NRMMC.
• Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks (2004). enHealth Council.
• Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water 2005, NHMRC.