In line with the recommendations of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, ActewAGL uses a multiple barrier approach to ensure the drinking water it supplies is safe for human consumption.
Source water protection is the first of these barriers, since the cleaner the water is when it comes into the treatment plant, the lower the likelihood of anything harmful making it through the treatment process and into our drinking water.
The more barriers we have in place to keep chemicals and disease-causing organisms out of our drinking water, the less likely it is that public health will be put at risk.
There are a number of contaminants that are considered to be a human health hazard when present in source water. The main contaminants of concern in the ACT are listed below.
- Pathogens, such as viruses, cryptosporidium and giardia, which may be spread through contaminated water supplies. Of most concern are human pathogens and some pathogens from domestic animals.
- Chemicals, including pesticides and hydrocarbons. These potentially harmful substances may be damaging to the environment and dangerous to human health when present in sufficient concentrations.
- Nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, have the potential to cause algal blooms in waterways and storage reservoirs. Algal contaminants can be difficult to remove during the water treatment process. They may create an unpleasant taste and odour in the drinking water and may even be toxic.
Turbidity (cloudiness) is often an indicator for the contaminants listed above and also leads to increased pressure on our water treatment plants.
As well as helping to ensure safe drinking water, ActewAGL’s work to improve water quality throughout the catchments delivers a number of other benefits including the following.
- A healthier natural environment.
- Higher quality habitat for wildlife.
- Reduced risk of diseases, which are spread through direct contact with water.
- Opportunities for cooperation and information-sharing between stakeholders involved in the management of the catchments.
Since neither ACTEW Corporation nor ActewAGL own the land within the drinking water catchments, the SWPP team works closely with a wide variety of stakeholders in order to achieve its goals. This includes community groups, local councils, government departments and individual land owners, both within the ACT and NSW. Our approaches range from direct on-ground action to consultation with those responsible for the policies that govern catchment management.
Organisations with whom we work include the flollowing.
The SWPP has a grants scheme that is used to support others in carrying out a range of activities that have benefits for water quality within the catchments. If you are interested in applying for a source water protection grant download the application form and checklist. For more information download the Applicant Information document.