The most important responsibility for water authorities is to provide water that is safe for human consumption and wastewater that is treated appropriately so that it does not degrade aquatic environments or contaminate the fresh water supply. In Australia the approach taken for delivering safe drinking water is outlined in the 2004 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. These guidelines provide a nationally accepted framework which sets out a multiple-barrier approach to delivering water quality. This approach includes the identification of risks to water quality, the establishment of risk management processes and a framework for monitoring and reporting. In essence this approach provides the essential tools for planning and managing water quality along the whole network from the catchment through to the consumers tap.
Two water quality incidents in New South Wales, which led to the establishment of the Sydney Catchment Authority in 1998, suggest that it can be important to differentiate the responsibility for managing specific areas of the water supply network to provide confidence to the community and ensure water quality. The authority, which is responsible for owning and operating water storages and managing catchments that were previously the responsibility of Sydney Water, is accountable to a New South Wales minister and subject to performance audit by a New South Wales regulator. Sydney Water remains responsible for the water treatment which is undertaken at Prospect Treatment Plant. This treatment plant is operated by the private sector and is Australia's largest.
It should be noted that all Australian water authorities regardless of ownership report on a regular basis to state and territory health agencies on their drinking water performance. This performance is reported annually in WSAAfacts which is available from http://www.wsaa.asn.au/.
Water quality is also an important issue for recycled water. The increasing prevalence of water recycling requires significant community support and confidence. Roles and responsibilities must be carefully considered when determining the respective functions of government and the private sector, particularly for recycling proposals with significant human contact such as residential third pipe systems and indirect potable reuse.
Q9: | Are there any water quality issues that need to be addressed in relation to increased private sector involvement? |