Key messages
- Drinking water is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015.
- The Act places obligations on water suppliers and water storage managers to provide safe, quality drinking water.
- The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025 will come into operation on 6 July 2025.
Safe Drinking Water Act 2003
The Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 regulates drinking water quality. It places obligations on water suppliers and water storage managers to provide safe, high-quality drinking water. It provides a regulatory framework that includes:
- a risk management framework ‘from catchment to tap’
- a set of standards for key water quality criteria
- information disclosure requirements for water businesses
- community consultation processes.
The Act applies to a range of designated water businesses (water suppliers and water storage managers) and other statutory authorities that supply drinking water to the public, including Parks Victoria and alpine resort management boards. The Water Program at the department supports and works with these key stakeholders to ensure the Act is upheld across Victoria.
You can download the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website.
Regulation of the price of drinking water is the responsibility of the Essential Services Commission.
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 were made under s.56 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and came into operation on 18 July 2015.
You can download the Safe Drinking Water Regulations from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website.
Hard copies can be purchased from SAI Global Bookshop online, by phoning 131 242, or direct from 85 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne.
Guidance is being developed and will progressively be added to our Guidance notes.
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025
The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025 will come into operation on 6 July 2025.
The 2025 Regulations retain and build on the core requirements in the 2015 Regulations. This ensures water agencies continue to apply a structured and systematic approach to risk management, supported by a clear set of drinking water quality standards.
See the fact sheet for a summary of key regulatory changes and implementation considerations.
For more information about the review, see Engage Victoria.
Other legislation
Other legislation relevant to drinking water supply and quality includes the Food Act 1984 and the Health (Fluoridation) Act 1973. These are also available through the same methods.
Reviewed 20 June 2025
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