The question used to define the indicator was: What is your normal source of drinking water? Estimates are based on 11,462 respondents. 38 (0.33%) were not stated (Don’t know or Refused). LL/UL 95%CI = lower and upper limits of the 95% confidence interval for the point estimate. Postcodes were grouped according to Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) Remoteness categories on the basis of Accessibility/Remoteness Index for Australia (ARIA+ version) score.
Source:
NSW Population Health Survey (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Public drinking water supplies in NSW are routinely monitored to ensure drinking water meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC, 2004). In regional areas, local councils supply and monitor drinking water. There are many more tests conducted on tap water than bottled water (NSW Department of Health, 2002).
In the 2005 NSW Health Survey, participants were asked about their usual source of drinking water.
In metropolitan areas 85.9% of people obtained their drinking water from a public water supply, 11.4% from bottled water and 0.3% from rainwater. In total 1.0% of metropolitan residents obtained their drinking water from a combination of sources, and less than 1% obtained their drinking water from a private bore, well, spring or other private supplies (such as creeks or farm dams) or other sources.
In regional and remote areas of NSW, 65.9% of people obtained their drinking water from a public water supply, 20.1% from rainwater and 8.7% from bottled water. In total 3.4% of residents in regional and remote areas obtained their drinking water from a private bore, well, spring or other private supplies (such as creeks or farm dams), and 0.8 % obtained water from a combination of sources.
National Health and Medical Research Council and Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004. Canberra: NHMRC, 2004. Available at: www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/eh19syn.htm.
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Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales -
Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. Available at:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/chorep/env/env_watsource_type.htm. Accessed (insert date of access).
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