Drinking Water Scheme Victoria

The Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 came into effect on 1 July 2004, and is the first Act in Victoria to deal specifically with the regulation of drinking water supplies. Prior to this, the quality of drinking water was regulated through the Health Act 1958, the Health (Quality of Drinking Water) Regulations 2002, the Food Act 1984, and contractual and licence deeds between water businesses and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).

The Drinking Water Regulatory Section, which has responsibility for the implementation and oversight of the Safe Drinking Water Act, is part of the Department of Human Services Victoria. The Drinking Water Regulatory Section will work with the Victorian water industry, other units within the Department of Human Services, key stakeholders and other government departments to deliver the regulatory objectives of the Act. More information about the unit can be found on the Department of Human Services website.

What is drinking water?

The Act defines drinking water as:

Water that is intended for human consumption or for purposes connected with human consumption, such as the preparation of food or the making of ice for consumption or for the preservation of unpackaged food, whether or not the water is used for other purposes.

The definition of drinking water under the Act therefore relates to the intended purpose of the water supply, rather than to its quality or suitability for drinking.

Update: The Department of Human Services Victoria has commissioned a second round of regulatory water audits pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2005.

These audits are a follow up to the first round of audits covering the period January 2006 to December 2007, which were undertaken between May and September of 2008. This second round of audits is to take place between July and November of 2009.

All water suppliers who supply drinking water must be compliant to the specified standards, based on the key guideline values in the “Australian Drinking Water Guidelines”. The Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 also requires water suppliers and water storage managers to prepare, implement and review risk management plans.

Case Study:

Water Initiatives: Keeping the Water Running - DHS Regulatory Water Audits

Safe Water Brochure:

Safe Water: Compliance and Regulation

For more information on the Drinking Water Scheme or to request a quote please call 1300 856 554 or email info@ncsi.com.au