SAFETY OF QUEENSLAND TOWN WATER TO BE BETTER PROTECTED

The safety and reliability of Queensland’s town water supplies will be better protected under new laws passed by the Queensland Parliament today.

Water Minister Craig Wallace said the laws helped secure Queensland’s water future by creating new statewide regulatory frameworks for recycled water and drinking water quality.

“It will formalise the adoption of national guidelines that already are used across much of Queensland,” Mr Wallace said.

He said the recycled water and drinking water regulatory frameworks would further protect public health now and in the future.

“Recycled water is increasingly regarded as an important alternative supply for industrial, commercial and other needs such as supplementing drinking supplies,’’ he said.

The changes were contained in the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Bill.

Under the new law, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, through the Office of the Water Supply Regulator, will regulate the supply of drinking water and recycled water, including purified recycled water to augment drinking water.

In particular, this legislation will ensure that the purified recycled water produced by the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project will be safe to add to Wivenhoe Dam that supplies most of South-East Queensland’s drinking water.”

The Office of the Water Supply Regulator will work with Queensland Health to require safe drinking water and recycled water supplies in Queensland.

While Queensland Health will set water quality standards for drinking water and certain uses of recycled water, the Office of the Water Supply Regulator will regulate compliance with these standards.

Providers of recycled water and drinking water will be required to have in place approved recycled water and drinking water quality management plans.

Mr Wallace said some elements of the existing Water Act 2000 will be incorporated, without change, into the Water Supply Act.

The new legislation will incorporate existing provisions of the Water Act 2000 relating to dam safety, water supply asset management and regulation of water service providers, as well as introducing provisions to regulate recycled water and drinking water.

Mr Wallace said these measures would help secure Queensland’s water future and ensure the safety of Queensland’s water supplies.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.