Many rural and remote communities experience poor quality water. This is becoming an increasing problem as communities grow and good water sources are exhausted or contaminated as a result of development.

The quality of water may vary depending on use. Within the house and yard:

• less than 10% of the water is used for drinking or cooking. This small amount of water needs to be of a high quality that is fit for people to drink (potable).
• 25% of the water is used for washing people. Ideally, this water should also be potable because it comes into direct contact with people
• the remaining 65% of the water is used in laundries and to flush toilets, run air conditioners, water gardens and wash clothes. This does not need to be potable water.

Water may be unsafe for drinking if it contains:

• disease-causing micro-organisms (pathogens), which cause a range of viral, diarrhoeal or gastric illnesses in people
• biological contaminants like algae
• chemical contaminants such as high concentrations of mineral salts, heavy metals, radio-active materials or other chemicals that are dangerous to people’s health.

Water sources can easily become biologically contaminated through contact with animals, people or waste. Community water supplies are usually disinfected as a precaution against the risk of biological contamination. The most common form of disinfection is chlorination because it is cheap and effective. Other options include ultra violet light sterilisation and micro-filtration.

Treatment systems to remove chemical contaminants are required if test results identify a level of contaminants that is dangerous to people’s health or will affect the function of taps, pipes and other health hardware. Chemical treatment processes range from filters, to more complex technologies such as desalination.

If water cannot be treated to a standard that is safe to drink, other sources of potable water will be needed. This might include a dual reticulation system in the community to supply a small amount of potable water to some parts of the house. Non-potable water would still be directed to the toilet, laundry and yard. Rainwater tanks at houses can also provide a supply of drinking water but may require a filter or first flush device.

The quality of a water source can change over time and the function of the treatment system might deteriorate, therefore the water system in a community must be regularly monitored. Water samples should be tested to check that the water is safe. Community members can test water using standard testing kits to take water samples from a number of points throughout the community supply, including the outlet on the tank and the taps at the furthest ends of the supply lines. These samples are then sent immediately to a laboratory for testing. However, the difficulties of testing in remote communities make implementing a risk management strategy a high priority. Support materials such as the Community Water Planner (NHMRC 2005) can assist in developing a risk management plan, and further materials should be developed for appropriate interpretation in communities.

Test results will provide information about the chemicals in the water and whether coliforms and/or E.coli are present. Coliforms are an indicator that the water may contain viruses or bacteria that will make people sick. The test results should state whether or not the water meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.[1]

Ensure

• C1.1.1.

  there is enough water available for the increased demand arising from the new works and if not, that strategies are put in place to guarantee enough water to support the Healthy Living Practices in all houses in the community, by increasing: - the water supply through installation of additional bores, rainwater tanks and river pumps - the water storage capacity by installing additional tanks or dams - the treatment plant capacity

• C1.1.2.

  the capacity of the reticulation system by enlarging or extending supply mains to new areas

• C1.1.3.

  the specified materials for water pipes and fittings are suited to the water quality and environmental conditions, such as using plastic components where there is ‘aggressive’ or acidic water or soils that corrode metal components and, if using plastic pipes, ensure they are drinking water grade plastic

• C1.1.4.

  all components of the hot water system are specified to suit the water quality

• C1.1.5.

  non-return valves are specified for external taps to prevent water contamination, for example, by dogs or from cleaning fish because, if the water pressure drops in the community, contaminated water can be sucked into the mains line.

Consider

• whether it is more cost effective to have two water distribution systems, one providing potable water to the kitchen and ideally to the bathroom, and the other providing untreated water to the rest of the house
• connecting rainwater tanks or a micro-treatment system at the house to ensure a supply of potable water (see B4.1 ‘Quality of drinking water’).

If involved in planning a community water supply system, consider:

• the quality of water available from all existing sources, the expected life of those sources and risks to the water quality
• the expected growth of the community
• the operating costs of treatment options and the complexity of operating and maintaining the treatment system
• strategies to reduce demand, particularly on potable water supplies, such as providing different quality water for different uses within houses and/or across the community, and installing rainwater tanks or household treatment systems for providing potable water to households or to relieve pressure on potable supplies.

[1] Plastic is used here to distinguish a range of polybutyl and PVC pipe materials from metal pipes, usually copper

• plumbing materials have been provided as specified
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  DURING CONSTRUCTION
  AT HANDOVER
  TRADE TEST

• only drinking water grade pipes and fittings are used for the drinking water supply and if using agricultural or drainage grade pipes or fittings, limit these to external areas
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  DURING CONSTRUCTION

• non-metal pipes are protected from direct sunlight because prolonged exposure to ultra violet light may break down the plastics and are protected from vermin attack
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  DURING CONSTRUCTION
  AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION

• rainwater tanks are correctly installed, see ‘Design and specification’ in B4.1 ‘Quality of drinking water’ for information about installing rainwater tanks.
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  DURING CONSTRUCTION
  AT HANDOVER
  FINAL COMPLETION

As part of cyclical maintenance:

• regularly take water samples as per NHMRC Australian Drinking Water guidelines and send them to a laboratory for testing
  

  Who : Housing Management

  When : 6 Months

• review the test results and take action to improve water quality
  

  Who : Housing Management

  When : 6 Months

• ensure the water treatment plant operators have been properly trained, and follow all steps in the operation and maintenance manual
  

  Who : Housing Management

  When : 12 Months

• if rainwater is used to provide a source of potable water to houses, ensure the tanks are regularly maintained and that the water quality in the tanks is monitored, see B4.1 ‘Quality of drinking water’.
  

  Who : Plumber, Housing Management

  When : 24 Months

• follow a prepared risk management plan based on maintaining water supply integrity, using the Community Water Planner available at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/eh52web
  

  Who : Housing Management

  When : 12 Months

National Health and Medical Research Council 2011, Australian Drinking Water Guidelines available at https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines

Centre for Appropriate Technology 2002 ‘Rainwater harvesting’, Bush Tech Brief #4, Our Place, 17, Winter 2002 Alice Springs, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5450868fe4b09b217330bb42/t/54741d20e4b0bb5a49eff624/1416895776563/bush-tech-4.pdf