13 August 2008

Launch of Private Water Supply Guidelines and DVD

Minister for Health Reba Meagher today launched guidelines and a DVD designed to minimise the chance of bacterial and viral infections being spread through unsafe private water supplies.

Ms Meagher said each year thousands of people visit facilities that rely on small private water supplies such as caravan parks, school camps, and tourist attractions.

"These facilities may use a variety of water sources including water pumped from rivers and creeks, bores and dams, as well as rainwater tanks," Ms Meagher said.

"If not properly monitored and maintained these water supplies can carry and transmit waterborne diseases such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium which can cause illnesses like gastroenteritis.

"The Private Water Supply Guidelines will assist operators in providing drinking water which is safe to use."

The Guidelines provide advice on:

• How to protect water sources
• How to provide safe drinking water
• How to maintain and monitor a water supply system
• How to warn consumers of risks if the safety of the water supply cannot be guaranteed.

"Operators have a legal responsibility to provide a safe water supply," Ms Meagher said.

"Serious outbreaks of gastroenteritis have occurred as a result of people drinking contaminated water from private water supplies and this can be avoided if water is obtained from a good quality source and carefully monitored."

NSW Health will work with local councils to distribute the Private Water Supply Guidelines and DVD.

The Guidelines are available at:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/environment/water/private_supplies.asp

Further information is available from your local Public Health Unit.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au