Annual report on drinking water quality in Victoria 2009–2010 Annual report on drinking water quality in Victoria 2009–2010 Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, please telephone 1300 761 874, use the National Relay Service 13 36 77 if required or email
[email protected] This document is also available in PDF format on the internet at: www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/water/drinking Published by the Victorian Government, Department of Health, Melbourne, Victoria ISBN 978 0 7311 6340 3 © Copyright, State of Victoria, Department of Health, 2011 This publication is copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the State Government of Victoria, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Printed on sustainable paper by Impact Digital, Unit 3-4, 306 Albert St, Brunswick 3056 March 2011 (1101024) Foreword The provision of safe drinking water to Victoria’s urban and rural communities is essential for maintaining public health and wellbeing. In Victoria, drinking water quality is protected by legislation that recognises drinking water’s importance to the state’s ongoing social and economic wellbeing. The regulatory framework for Victoria’s drinking water is detailed in the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2005. The Act and Regulations provide a comprehensive framework based on a catchment-to-tap approach that actively safeguards the quality of drinking water throughout Victoria. The main objectives of this regulatory framework are to ensure that: • where water is supplied as drinking water, it is safe to drink • any water not intended to be drinking water cannot be mistaken for drinking water • water quality information is disclosed to consumers and open to public accountability.