Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Authorised Version
i
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Regulation Page
Part 1—Preliminary 1
1 Objective 1
2 Authorising provision 2
3 Commencement 2
4 Revocation 2
5 Definitions 2
Part 2—Water sampling localities 5
6 Water sampling locality proposals 5
7 Information required in proposal 5
Part 3—Management of risks to water supply 7
8 Risk management plan 7
9 Risk management plan audit 12
10 Audit certificate 12
11 Approval of risk management plan auditors 12
Part 4—Drinking water quality standards 14
12 Drinking water quality standards 14
13 Frequency of sampling for drinking water 14
14 Samples of drinking water must be analysed 16
15 Results of analysis of samples of drinking water must be given
to the Secretary in specified circumstances 16
Part 5—Other matters 18
16 Additional details to be included in annual reports of water
suppliers 18
17 Additional details to be included in annual reports of water
storage managers 20
-- 1 of 28 --
Regulation Page
ii
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1—Risk management plan audit certificate 22
Schedule 2—Drinking water quality standards 23
═══════════════
Endnotes 26
-- 2 of 28 --
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Authorised Version
1
STATUTORY RULES 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
Safe Drinking Water Act 2003
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
The Governor in Council makes the following Regulations:
Dated: 7 July 2015
Responsible Minister:
JILL HENNESSY
Minister for Health
YVETTE CARISBROOKE
Clerk of the Executive Council
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Objective
The objective of these Regulations is to make
further provision for the supply of safe drinking
water by—
(a) setting out further matters to be addressed in
risk management plans and the risks to be
addressed in those plans; and
(b) specifying the documents to be made
available for inspection in a risk
management plan audit; and
(c) specifying the issues relating to the quality of
drinking water and regulated water that are
to be dealt with by a water supplier and
water storage manager in an annual report;
and
-- 3 of 28 --
Part 1—Preliminary
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
2
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(d) providing for other matters required to be
prescribed under the Safe Drinking Water
Act 2003.
2 Authorising provision
These Regulations are made under section 56 of
the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003.
3 Commencement
These Regulations come into operation on 18 July
2015.
4 Revocation
The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 20051 are
revoked.
5 Definitions
In these Regulations—
accredited laboratory means a laboratory that
holds accreditation from NATA in relation to
testing potable water for the parameters
identified by the water supplier to monitor its
compliance with the drinking water quality
standards;
critical control point means an activity, procedure
or process at which control can be applied,
and the effective operation of that control is
essential to prevent a hazard that may arise
to human health or reduce the hazard to an
acceptable level;
critical limit in relation to a critical control point
means the value or limit at which the critical
control point will cease operating effectively
and that risk to human health arising from
the water being treated may not be
effectively managed;
-- 4 of 28 --
Part 1—Preliminary
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
3
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
drinking water treatment process means any
process that is applied to water that is
supplied, or is to be supplied, as drinking
water, which is intended and designed to
render the water suitable for supply as
drinking water;
emergency and emergency management have the
same meanings as in the Emergency
Management Act 1986;
geographic coordinate includes—
(a) a meridian of longitude by itself; and
(b) a parallel of latitude by itself;
hazard means a biological, chemical, physical or
radiological agent that has the potential to
cause harm;
NATA means National Association of Testing
Authorities, Australia, ACN 004 379 748;
proposed water sampling locality means the area
identified in a proposal submitted by a water
supplier under regulation 6;
relevant sampling frequency, in relation to a
sample analysis parameter specified in
column 1 of the Table in Schedule 2,
means—
(a) the frequency specified in column 2 of
that Table opposite that parameter; or
(b) if there is a notice under
regulation 13(2) in force, the frequency
specified in that notice in respect of that
parameter;
sample analysis parameter means a parameter
specified in column 1 of the Table in
Schedule 2;
-- 5 of 28 --
Part 1—Preliminary
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
4
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
sample standard, for the purposes of
regulation 15, means—
(a) in relation to a sample analysis
parameter other than Escherichia coli,
the standard set out opposite that
sample analysis parameter in column 3
of the Table in Schedule 2; or
(b) in relation to Escherichia coli, that
100% of all samples of drinking water
collected contain no Escherichia coli;
the Act means the Safe Drinking Water Act
2003;
water agency means a water storage manager or a
water supplier;
water sampling locality means an area specified
by the Secretary under regulation 6;
water sampling point means a location within a
water sampling locality where drinking water
samples will be collected, as specified in a
risk management plan as required under
regulation 8(1)(d);
water sampling program means a program
determined by a water agency for the
purposes of monitoring water quality and
that provides for matters relating to the
collection of water samples for analysis,
including those matters set out in the water
agency's risk management plan under
regulation 8(1)(d).
-- 6 of 28 --
Part 2—Water sampling localities
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
5
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Part 2—Water sampling localities
6 Water sampling locality proposals
(1) The Secretary, by notice published in the
Government Gazette, may specify an area that is
supplied with drinking water by a water supplier
to be a water sampling locality based on a
proposal submitted to the Secretary by a water
supplier incorporating the information specified in
regulation 7.
(2) A water supplier—
(a) must submit a proposal under
subregulation (1) if the Secretary makes
a direction under subregulation (3); or
(b) may submit a proposal under
subregulation (1) on the initiative of
the water supplier.
(3) The Secretary may direct a water supplier to
submit a proposal to the Secretary, providing
information about an area that could be
specified as a water sampling locality under
subregulation (1), if the Secretary considers it
would be desirable for the purposes of ensuring
that water samples collected in the area that is
supplied by the water supplier are representative
of the drinking water that is supplied in that area.
7 Information required in proposal
A proposal submitted to the Secretary under
regulation 6 must—
(a) set out how the boundaries of the proposed
water sampling locality have been
determined, with reference to—
-- 7 of 28 --
Part 2—Water sampling localities
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
6
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(i) the source or sources of the water that
would be supplied as drinking water in
the proposed water sampling locality;
and
(ii) the treatment processes that would be
applied to water that would be supplied
as drinking water in the proposed water
sampling locality; and
(iii) the distribution system that would be
used to supply drinking water in the
proposed water sampling locality; and
(b) include a map on which the boundaries of
the proposed water sampling locality are
clearly marked; and
(c) include all information reasonably available
to the water supplier that assists to identify
the boundaries of the proposed water
sampling locality, including, where relevant
and available to the water supplier—
(i) geographic coordinates; and
(ii) a freeway, highway, road, street or
other thoroughfare; and
(iii) a railway line; and
(iv) a municipal boundary; and
(v) a physical feature of terrain; and
(vi) a waterway; and
(vii) a property boundary; and
(viii) any other information that the water
supplier considers relevant.
-- 8 of 28 --
Part 3—Management of risks to water supply
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
7
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Part 3—Management of risks to water
supply
8 Risk management plan
(1) For the purposes of section 9(1)(e) of the Act, a
risk management plan must contain the following
matters—
(a) the positions held by the persons responsible
for managing hazards and risks to the quality
of the water identified in the risk
management plan;
(b) details of the procedures for consultation
with other water agencies in relation to
matters relevant to the hazards and risks to
the quality of the water supplied—
(i) to the water agency by other water
agencies; and
(ii) by the water agency to other water
agencies;
(c) details of or reference to emergency
management arrangements and procedures
for dealing with an incident, event or
emergency that may adversely affect the
quality or safety of drinking water, or result
in water being supplied that poses a risk to
human health, including—
(i) the positions held by persons
responsible for dealing with such an
incident, event or emergency; and
(ii) methods for communicating or
disseminating information to the public
in relation to any such incident, event
or emergency;
-- 9 of 28 --
Part 3—Management of risks to water supply
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
8
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(d) details of a water sampling program that—
(i) identifies the locations at which
samples will be collected; and
(ii) outlines how the locations for
collection of samples have been
selected; and
(iii) specifies the frequency with which
samples will be collected; and
(iv) in a risk management plan developed
by a water supplier, describes how the
following matters were considered
when determining the locations for
collection of samples and the frequency
of samples—
(A) the need to select the locations
from which samples will be taken
with a view to ensuring that the
samples collected in accordance
with the water sampling program
are representative of the drinking
water supplied in the relevant
water sampling locality; and
(B) the need to have a sufficient
number of samples of drinking
water collected to ensure that
those samples are, so far as
practicable, representative of the
drinking water supplied in the
water sampling locality; and
(v) in a risk management plan developed
by a water supplier, specifies the basis
on which the location for the collection
of a particular sample will be
determined, so as to ensure that, for the
purposes of routine sampling, samples
are not taken from the same location
-- 10 of 28 --
Part 3—Management of risks to water supply
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
9
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
within a water sampling locality on two
consecutive occasions; and
(vi) specifies the parameters for which
samples will be tested and the
frequency at which tests will be
conducted for each parameter and, in a
risk management plan developed by a
water supplier, identifies—
(A) how the selection of the
parameters and the frequency of
testing for each parameter will
assist the water supplier to
monitor its compliance with the
drinking water quality standards;
and
(B) how the chemicals and other
substances used to disinfect or
treat the drinking water being
supplied to the relevant water
sampling locality have been
considered when selecting the
parameters and the frequency for
testing the parameters;
(e) details of procedures and management
systems for—
(i) ensuring that the amount and purity of
chemicals added to drinking water does
not adversely affect the quality of that
water or pose a risk to human health;
and
(ii) controlling any residue or chemical
by-products imparted to drinking water
as a result of the addition of chemicals
to water supplied for drinking purposes;
-- 11 of 28 --
Part 3—Management of risks to water supply
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
10
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(f) details of the requirements for competency
and training of personnel who are employed
or engaged by the water agency, as they
relate to the monitoring and management of
hazards and risk, including policies,
standards and guidelines that are imposed or
adopted by the water agency;
(g) details of the infrastructure and other
features of the system of supply that are
designed to assist in the management of risks
to the quality of the water that are identified
in the risk management plan, including the
method by which the effectiveness of the
infrastructure and other features is verified;
(h) details of the activities undertaken, and
measures taken, to monitor and manage
hazards and risks to the quality of the water
that are identified in the risk management
plan, including any methods by which the
effectiveness of the activities and measures
are verified;
(i) if the risk management plan is prepared by a
water agency that operates and maintains
drinking water treatment processes—
(i) all critical control points in the drinking
water treatment processes; and
(ii) the critical limits relevant to each
critical control point that is detailed in
the risk management plan; and
(iii) any actions, procedures, processes,
policies, standards or guidelines that are
applied when a critical limit is reached.
(2) On and from 1 January 2016, for the purposes of
section 9(1)(e) of the Act, a risk management plan
prepared by a water agency that operates and
maintains a drinking water treatment process
-- 12 of 28 --
Part 3—Management of risks to water supply
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
11
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
applied to untreated water must contain details of
the methodology that is used by the water agency
to quantify microbial hazards, including—
(a) the extent to which pathogenic
microorganisms are present in water that
enters the drinking water treatment process;
and
(b) the extent to which that drinking water
treatment process—
(i) removes those pathogenic
microorganisms from the water; or
(ii) reduces the amount of those pathogenic
microorganisms in the water.
(3) For the purposes of section 9(2) of the Act, a risk
management plan must address the following
risks—
(a) the risk to human health that arises from the
presence in water of—
(i) pathogenic microorganisms; and
(ii) inorganic chemicals, including
inorganic disinfection by-products; and
(iii) organic chemicals, including pesticides,
pesticide residues and organic
disinfection by-products; and
(iv) radiological parameters; and
(v) algal toxins;
(b) the risks arising from an incident or event
that may cause the organisms, substances
and matters referred to in paragraph (a) to be
introduced into the system of supply of the
water supplier or the water supplied by the
water storage manager (as the case requires),
by humans or nature;
-- 13 of 28 --
Part 3—Management of risks to water supply
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
12
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(c) the risk of the organisms, substances and
matters referred to in paragraph (a) entering
into water being supplied by the water
supplier or water storage manager (as the
case requires), by reason of the transfer or
distribution of that water.
9 Risk management plan audit
For the purposes of section 10(2) of the Act, the
specified documents are—
(a) the risk management plan; and
(b) any document or operating manual,
procedure or protocol created pursuant to the
risk management plan, referred to in the risk
management plan or containing material
relating to the content of the risk
management plan; and
(c) any document or record that records or
provides evidence of implementation of the
risk management plan.
10 Audit certificate
For the purposes of section 12(2) of the Act, a risk
management plan audit certificate must be in the
form of Schedule 1.
11 Approval of risk management plan auditors
For the purposes of section 13(2) of the Act, the
auditor approval criteria are that the applicant for
approval—
(a) either—
(i) holds an accreditation by an institution
which, in the opinion of the Secretary,
makes the applicant suitable for
approval as a risk management plan
auditor; or
-- 14 of 28 --
Part 3—Management of risks to water supply
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
13
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(ii) demonstrates to the Secretary that the
applicant has the experience,
qualifications and skills necessary to
independently conduct audits of risk
management plans; and
(b) is, in the reasonable opinion of the Secretary,
a fit and proper person to be approved as an
auditor; and
(c) provides to the Secretary a written
declaration that the applicant has no conflict
of interest that would impinge on their ability
to objectively conduct an audit of a risk
management plan.
-- 15 of 28 --
Part 4—Drinking water quality standards
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
14
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Part 4—Drinking water quality standards
12 Drinking water quality standards
For the purposes of section 17(1) of the Act, the
quality standards specified for drinking water
supplied within a water sampling locality are—
(a) if the drinking water contains a parameter
specified in column 1 of the Table in
Schedule 2, that the parameter does not
exceed the standard set out in column 3 of
that Table opposite that parameter; and
(b) if the drinking water contains an algal toxin,
or any other pathogen, or any substance or
chemical not specified in column 1 of the
Table in Schedule 2, that the water does not
contain that toxin, pathogen, substance or
chemical, whether alone or in combination
with another toxin, pathogen, substance or
chemical, in such amounts that may pose a
risk to human health.
13 Frequency of sampling for drinking water
(1) A water supplier must collect, or cause to be
collected, samples of drinking water, in
accordance with the sampling program set out in
the water supplier's current risk management plan,
and in any case at a frequency not less than the
relevant sampling frequency.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) The Secretary, on the Secretary's own motion, or
on the application of a water supplier, may, by
notice published in the Government Gazette, vary
the frequency at which samples of drinking water
are to be collected at a water sampling point
located within a water sampling locality in respect
-- 16 of 28 --
Part 4—Drinking water quality standards
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
15
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
of a parameter specified in column 1 of the Table
in Schedule 2.
(3) In determining whether to vary the frequency at
which a sample of drinking water is to be
collected at a water sampling point located within
a water sampling locality, the Secretary may have
regard to—
(a) the number of persons taking water from the
water supplier's system of supply within the
water sampling locality, including any
difference in the number of persons taking
water at different times in the year; and
(b) the need to have a sufficient number of
samples of drinking water collected to ensure
that those samples are, so far as practicable,
representative of the drinking water supplied
in the water sampling locality; and
(c) the chemicals and other substances used by
the water supplier to disinfect or treat the
drinking water being supplied to the relevant
water sampling locality; and
(d) any other matter the Secretary considers
relevant.
(4) A notice under subregulation (2) must specify—
(a) the water supplier in respect of which the
notice applies; and
(b) the relevant water sampling locality being
supplied drinking water by the water
supplier; and
(c) the parameter specified in column 1 of the
Table in Schedule 2 in respect of which the
frequency for the collection of samples of
drinking water has been varied; and
-- 17 of 28 --
Part 4—Drinking water quality standards
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
16
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(d) the frequency at which samples of drinking
water are to be collected in respect of the
parameter specified in column 1 of the Table
in Schedule 2; and
(e) the period for which the frequency specified
in the notice will apply; and
(f) the date on which the notice takes effect.
14 Samples of drinking water must be analysed
(1) A water supplier must cause every sample of
drinking water collected in accordance with the
water sampling program set out in its current risk
management plan to be given to an accredited
laboratory for analysis.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) A water supplier must ensure that every sample of
drinking water given under subregulation (1) to an
accredited laboratory for analysis is analysed by
that accredited laboratory to measure, in relation
to each of the parameters identified in the water
sampling program set out in its current risk
management plan, the amount of that parameter in
the sample.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
15 Results of analysis of samples of drinking water
must be given to the Secretary in specified
circumstances
(1) The water supplier must ensure that a written
summary of the results of the analysis conducted
in accordance with the water sampling program
set out in the water supplier's current risk
management plan is given to the Secretary not
later than 10 days after the water supplier receives
the results from the accredited laboratory that
conducted the analysis if the results indicate
that—
-- 18 of 28 --
Part 4—Drinking water quality standards
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
17
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(a) any of the sample analysis parameters has
exceeded the relevant sample standard; or
(b) any parameter that was subject to analysis by
the accredited laboratory in accordance with
regulation 14(2) was present in the samples
analysed at a level that in the reasonable
opinion of the relevant water supplier may
pose a risk to human health.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) A water supplier must ensure that the written
summary of results given to the Secretary under
subregulation (1)—
(a) specifies the amount by which any of the
sample analysis parameters has exceeded the
relevant sample standard; and
(b) provides the performance history of the
sample analysis parameter; and
(c) provides any related results of water quality
analysis undertaken in accordance with
regulation 14.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
-- 19 of 28 --
Part 5—Other matters
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
18
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Part 5—Other matters
16 Additional details to be included in annual reports
of water suppliers
For the purposes of section 26(1) and (2) of the
Act, the required contents of the annual report of a
water supplier are—
(a) information about actions taken by the water
supplier in respect of each emergency,
incident or event that has arisen that has
affected—
(i) the quality of water supplied generally;
and
(ii) the quality of water supplied where that
supply posed a risk to human health;
and
(b) any issues that may have arisen out of the
actions referred to in paragraph (a); and
(c) a summary of every written undertaking by
the water supplier accepted by the Secretary
under section 30 of the Act; and
(d) a summary of the findings of the most recent
risk management plan audit and any issues
that the approved auditor raised during the
risk management plan audit; and
(e) if the water supplier operates or maintains a
drinking water treatment process—
(i) a summary of the process by which the
water supplied by the water supplier is
disinfected or treated and any other
processes applied to the water, and any
issues arising out of the application of
those processes; and
-- 20 of 28 --
Part 5—Other matters
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
19
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(ii) a list of all the chemicals and other
substances, and any processes, used to
disinfect or treat the water supplied, or
to be supplied, by it for drinking
purposes; and
(f) information evidencing compliance or
non-compliance (as the case requires) with
regulations 12 and 13 and Schedule 2; and
(g) information about actions taken by the water
supplier when a drinking water quality
standard set out in regulation 12 and
Schedule 2 has not been met; and
(h) an analysis of water sample information, data
and results relating to the quality of drinking
water supplied and a comparison of that
information and data, and those results, with
water sample information, data and results
from the previous 2 financial years; and
(i) a summary of every—
(i) variation in aesthetic standards
approved under section 19 of the Act in
respect of drinking water supplied by
the water supplier and any conditions
imposed under section 21 of the Act;
and
(ii) exemption from a water quality
standard approved under section 20 of
the Act in respect of drinking water
supplied by the water supplier and any
conditions imposed under section 21 of
the Act; and
(j) a summary of complaints received by the
water supplier relating to the quality of
drinking water supplied and a summary of
the responses and analysis of the issues
arising from the complaints; and
-- 21 of 28 --
Part 5—Other matters
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
20
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(k) a summary of steps taken by the water
supplier to manage the aesthetic
characteristics of the drinking water supplied
by it, including steps taken to manage the
taste, odour, clarity and pH of the drinking
water supplied; and
(l) details of any regulated water supplied by the
water supplier and the declaration under
section 6 of the Act in respect of that
regulated water; and
(m) details of the steps taken in accordance with
section 25 of the Act.
17 Additional details to be included in annual reports
of water storage managers
For the purposes of section 26(1) and (2) of the
Act, the required contents of the annual report of a
water storage manager are—
(a) information about actions taken by the water
storage manager in respect of each
emergency, incident or event that has arisen
that has affected—
(i) the quality of water supplied generally;
and
(ii) the quality of water supplied where that
supply posed a risk to human health;
and
(b) any issues that may have arisen out of the
actions referred to in paragraph (a); and
(c) a summary of every written undertaking by
the water storage manager accepted by the
Secretary under section 30 of the Act; and
(d) a summary of the findings of the most recent
risk management plan audit and any issues
that the approved auditor raised during the
risk management plan audit; and
-- 22 of 28 --
Part 5—Other matters
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
21
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
(e) if the water storage manager operates or
maintains a drinking water treatment
process—
(i) a summary of the process by which the
water supplied by the water storage
manager is disinfected or treated and
any other processes applied to the
water, and any issues arising out of the
application of those processes; and
(ii) a list of all the chemicals and other
substances, and any processes, used to
disinfect or treat the water supplied, or
to be supplied, by it for drinking
purposes; and
(f) details of any exemption granted to the water
storage manager under section 8 of the Act
and any condition imposed in relation to any
exemption.
-- 23 of 28 --
Schedule 1—Risk management plan audit certificate
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
22
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1—Risk management plan audit
certificate
Regulation 10
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
Certificate Number: [insert a number to specifically identify this certificate
from any other audit certificate issued by the approved auditor]
Audit period: [insert period of audit relevant to this certificate]
To: [insert full name and address of person who commissioned the audit]
Australian Business Number (ABN): [insert the business number of the water
supplier or water storage manager]
I, [print full name of approved auditor], after conducting a risk management
plan audit of the water supplied by [insert name of the water supplier or
water storage manager], am of the opinion that—
*[insert name of water supplier] *has/has not complied with the obligations
imposed by section 7(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 during the
audit period.
*[insert name of water storage manager] *has/has not complied with the
obligations imposed by section 8(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003
during the audit period.
*The details of the reasons for non-compliance are—
*insert/attach the details of the reasons for non-compliance
Signature of approved auditor:
Date:
* delete if not applicable
-- 24 of 28 --
Schedule 2—Drinking water quality standards
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
23
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 2—Drinking water quality
standards
Regulation 12
TABLE
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Parameter
Relevant
sampling
frequency for
each water
sampling
locality
Quality standard for each water
sampling locality
Escherichia
coli
One sample
per week
All samples of drinking water
collected are found to contain no
Escherichia coli per 100 millilitres of
drinking water, with the exception of
any false positive sample.
For the purposes of this quality
standard, a false positive sample
means a sample that is found, after
an analysis conducted in accordance
with regulation 14, to contain
Escherichia coli per 100 millilitres of
drinking water, if—
(a) following the analysis, the water
supplier has conducted an
investigation, which has been
conducted in accordance with any
guidelines issued by the Secretary
in relation to such investigations,
including any timeframes for
commencement and completion of
the investigations, to ascertain
whether the results of the analysis
are representative of water in the
relevant sampling locality; and
-- 25 of 28 --
Schedule 2—Drinking water quality standards
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
24
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Parameter
Relevant
sampling
frequency for
each water
sampling
locality
Quality standard for each water
sampling locality
(b) the water supplier has reported
the results of the investigation
to the Secretary, in accordance
with any guidelines issued by
the Secretary in relation to such
reports, including any
timeframes for provision of the
report; and
(c) the investigation has concluded
that the results of the analysis
conducted in accordance with
regulation 14 were not
representative of the water in
the relevant water sampling
locality because the
investigation established that—
(i) all other factors that
would indicate the
presence of Escherichia
coli in that water are not
present in the water in
the water sampling
locality at the time of
the investigation; and
(ii) the drinking water
treatment process
applied, or other
specified actions taken
by the water supplier,
are such as would be
reasonably expected to
have eliminated the
presence of Escherichia
coli in the water
sampling locality at the
relevant time; and
-- 26 of 28 --
Schedule 2—Drinking water quality standards
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
25
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Parameter
Relevant
sampling
frequency for
each water
sampling
locality
Quality standard for each water
sampling locality
(iii) all plant and
infrastructure associated
with the water treatment
process were operating
to specification at all
relevant times; and
(iv) there were no issues
arising from degradation
of plant or infrastructure
in or around the relevant
water sampling locality
that could reasonably be
suspected to have
contributed to the
presence of Escherichia
coli in the drinking
water in that water
sampling locality.
A sample analysed in accordance
with regulation 14 that is found, on
that analysis, to contain Escherichia
coli per 100 millilitres of drinking
water is not a false positive sample
unless all of the circumstances in
paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) apply.
Total trihalo-
methanes
One sample per
month
Less than or equal to 0⋅25 milligrams per
litre of drinking water.
Turbidity One sample
per week
The 95th percentile of results for
samples in any 12 month period
must be less than or equal to
5⋅0 Nephelometric Turbidity Units.
═══════════════
-- 27 of 28 --
Endnotes
Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015
S.R. No. 88/2015
26
Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Endnotes
1 Reg. 4: S.R. No. 88/2005.
-- 28 of 28 --