The Guidelines for Water Quality issued under the Public Health Act 1997 establish best practice frameworks for controlling authorities to effectively manage drinking water and recreational water quality.
The Guidelines require all Councils and Bulk Water Suppliers within Tasmania to monitor the quality of their reticulated drinking water supplies. If drinking water quality is, or is likely to become, a threat to public health, water suppliers are expected to take corrective action to protect public health and resolve the cause of the problem. In some parts of Tasmania, water supplies are not fully treated and therefore boil water alerts are necessary to protect public health.
Every year the suppliers of reticulated drinking water submit a Report to the Director of Public Health detailing the previous year's monitoring and management activities. The Guidelines also specify requirements for private water suppliers and water carriers.
In addition, the Guidelines for Water Quality require Councils to monitor the quality of recreational waters within their jurisdictions. Given the climatic realities of Tasmania, monitoring of recreational waters is required between the months of December and March. Each year, Councils provide the Director of Public Health with a report regarding the status of recreational water bodies within their respective municipalities.
Recreational Water Guidelines 2007
The Director of Public Health publishes an annual consolidated report on both reticulated drinking water and recreational water quality.
Previous Reports:
Director of Public Health's Recreational Water Quality Report 2006-2007
Annual Report - Drinking Water Quality, Tasmania 1 July 2004 - 30 June 2005
Director of Public Health's Annual Recreational Water Quality Report 2004-2005