Since their first publication in 1987, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines have provided advice to drinking water suppliers on management of their systems and encouraged the adoption of quality systems.
In recent years, the division of responsibilities between various agencies, and in particular the transfer of catchment and water resource management to agencies other than drinking water suppliers, has made it more important for water suppliers to have formal processes for assuring the quality of drinking water.
The range of agencies involved in individual water supply systems can be large. Water resource departments, natural resource and environment departments, agriculture departments, local governments, planning authorities, catchment water management boards, and community-based interest groups and organisations can all have a role in ensuring water quality.
In some cases, restructuring of responsibilities has also extended to dividing the traditional functions associated with drinking water supply, with separate agencies being responsible for bulk water supply, water treatment and water reticulation.
Clear agreements between agencies are necessary to provide safe and pleasant drinking water. Responsibility for water extends beyond the drinking water supplier and requires collaboration and consultation with other agencies. Ultimately, however, it is the drinking water suppliers that are responsible for the delivery of safe drinking water to consumers.
There has been an increasing trend for Australian water authorities to adopt quality systems including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), AS/NZS 4360 (Risk Management) or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP).
These available systems provide generic requirements for organisations undertaking a diverse range of activities, but it was recognised that they may have some limitations in their applicability to the management of drinking water quality.
Therefore, during the most recent revision of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines , a comprehensive Framework for the Management of Drinking Water Quality was developed to address the specific challenges of drinking water supply. The Framework provides guidance on the design of a structured and systematic approach for the management of drinking water quality from catchment to consumer, to assure its safety and reliability.
The Framework incorporates a preventive risk management approach; it includes elements of HACCP, ISO 9001 and AS/NZS 4360, but applies them in a drinking water supply context to support consistent and comprehensive implementation by suppliers.
The Framework addresses four general areas:
• Commitment to drinking water quality management . This involves developing a commitment to drinking water quality management within the organisation. Adoption of the philosophy of the Framework is not sufficient in itself to ensure its effectiveness and continual improvement. Successful implementation requires the active participation of senior executive and a supportive organisational philosophy.
• System analysis and management . This involves understanding the entire water supply system, the hazards and events that can compromise drinking water quality, and the preventive measures and operational control necessary for assuring safe and reliable drinking water.
• Supporting requirements . These requirements include basic elements of good practice such as employee training, community involvement, research and development, validation of process efficacy, and systems for documentation and reporting.
• Review . This includes evaluation and audit processes and their review by senior executive to ensure that management system is functioning satisfactorily. These components provide a basis for review and continual improvement.
For more information on the Framework, consult the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (http:/www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/eh19syn.htm ) .
Consumer's Guide to Drinking Water - May 2006 [an error occurred while processing this directive]