Australia has, for long, prided itself in having one of the highest quality of potable water accessible for its citizens. But the demand and supply of water have changed over the years. And that is sure to affect the quality of water in Australia. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) used to review whether the water accessible to the citizens is safe for consumption ensures that it is. But let’s take a deeper dive to understand how safe is the water that you drink.
Water Sources in Australia
Being one of the driest counties in the world with one of the most scanty rainfalls, it is no news that Australia’s water sources are depleting. Only a mere fraction of the rainwater reaches streams and rivers, water storage or groundwater aquifers. Much of the country is dependant on water supply from the Murray-Darling Basin which is also, unfortunately, dying and in the process of revival. Low water flow in the basin poses a great challenge for the country’s management of water supply. Groundwater, another critical but sparse source of water, is also frequently adversely affected because of climate change and natural disasters. Water quantity, then, is meagre which affects water quality significantly.
Managing Water Quality in Australia
To ensure safe drinking water to the public, several policies and regulation acts require that water suppliers be accountable for:
- Having Quality Assurance Programs (QAP) that follow the guidelines
- Quality Assurance Programs are regularly implemented
- Quality Assurance Programs reports are made available to the public
- Keeping records relating to managing water quality
There are also penalties that can apply to those who fail to adhere. This is ensured in the interest of the public to ensure transparency in the availability of safe drinking water and to assure the government’s and the water suppliers’ contribution towards making health a priority. Still, however, there are several barriers that stand in the way of access to clean water in Australia.
Issues Affecting Water Quality in Australia
There is no dearth of problems that affect the quality of water. Most of these problems result in deadly water contaminants which put your health at risk. To name a few, the following are some of the major factors that are contributing to the degradation of water quality in Australia:
- Increasing Population: As the population is increasing, demands for water also soar. This impacts the availability of water and can even lead to overconsumption of water, leading to droughts.
- Urbanisation: One of the major environmental stressors is increasing industrialization which causes water pollution and increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters which upset water availability.
- Natural Calamities: Bushfires, floods, and droughts are quite common in Australia which causes dysfunction in the ecosystem, thus negatively impacting water sources and in turn, the quality of water available.
Do You Need to Filter Water?
Despite the routine monitoring of water supplies and frequent review and amendments of the guidelines as per requirements, there have still been reports of contaminants in water that threaten public health. Disinfecting your drinking water is crucial. If you prioritise your family’ health, a wise and sound decision would be to install and use a reliable water purifier. Check out the Pheonix Gravity Water Filter to be assured that the water you drink is healthy and free from contaminants.