Making sure your private water supply is safe - Surface water

Many businesses and community groups use a private water supply for drinking water or food preparation. One common source of private water supply is surface water. Surface water includes water pumped from rivers, creeks, bores, dams and rainwater tanks. Unfortunately, livestock, animals and humans can contaminate surface water with disease-causing microorganisms. Industrial, agricultural or other runoff can also contaminate surface water with chemicals. If humans consume contaminated water, they can become sick.

If you are registered under either the Food Act 1984 (Vic), Prescribed Accommodation Health (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2001 or Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 1999, the law requires you to treat and manage your drinking water supply to make it safe for human consumption.

How to ensure your water supply is safe

To keep your water supply safe for human consumption, you need to take the following steps:

• Step 1: Manage the risks to your private water supply
• Step 2: Treat the water to make it safe for drinking
• Step 3: Monitor and maintain the water supply system
• Step 4: Plan how to respond if an emergency occurs