Water Quality
We understand that many people are interested in the quality of the water they drink. Drinking water supplied by Hunter Water is consistently of a very high standard and well within the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). Under its operating licence, Hunter Water is required to comply with the guidelines to provide a solid foundation for assessing drinking water quality. Quality is ensured by specifying health-based and aesthetic criteria as well as the philosophy of a "multiple barrier approach" from catchment to tap water quality. Download an illustration of the multi-barrier system.
The ADWG incorporates the “Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality" and provides the Australian community and the water supply industry with guidance on what constitutes good quality drinking water. The corporation utilises the Framework as its multi-barrier approach.
Hunter Water also works closely with NSW Health through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure that all current and emerging issues associated with drinking water quality are identified and assessed.
Hunter Water also aims to educate the community on water quality wherever possible. Streamwatch is a school and community education and action program that raises awareness of the natural environment through testing water quality in local rivers and streams.
The following related material provides more information on water quality:
Water Quality Monitoring Plan 2009-10
Monthly Water Quality Report
Annual Water Quality Report
Typical Composition Table
Drinking Water Quality Policy
Drinking Water Fact Sheets
Other Drinking Water Quality Fact Sheets