The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Travelling around Australia this summer? Here's how to know if the water is safe to drink

  • Written by Ian A Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University
Travelling around Australia this summer? Here's how to know if the water is safe to drink

Australians are fortunate to have access to safe and healthy drinking water in our towns and cities, which is acknowledged as a basic human need[1] globally. Sadly, the World Health Organization estimates about 2 billion people[2] across the world are not so lucky.

Drinking water is important for our health, but water-borne diseases[3] are a common cause of illness. Avoiding water-borne illnesses is particularly important for people with weakened immune systems, or for the very young or aged. Many people travelling around Australia over the summer holidays might wonder if it is still safe to drink the water when they are far from home.

This is a particularly important question this year. After months of very heavy rain across much of eastern Australia, flooding has contaminated[4] many rivers and waterways.

Is taste an indication of water quality? And are they some places where you should avoid the tap water altogether?

Waterways and alerts

The flooded waterways are the water supply for many regional towns. Poor quality water has made their job of supplying clean and healthy water much more difficult.

In some cases, contamination from flood waters has entered town water treatment and supply systems[5]. Even Sydney’s giant water supply reservoir, Warragamba Dam, has limited clean water available[6] due to the inflow of poor quality water from a catchment still impacted from bushfires of two summers ago.

As a consequence of flooding, many regional water authorities in Victoria and New South Wales have declared “boil water alerts[7]” at various times this year. Most have now been lifted.

At the time of writing, there are still four alerts active in NSW (Eugowra, Narranderra, Forbes and nearby small towns). The Victorian town of Echuca issued[8] a boil water alert in October, since lifted, after stormwater entered its water system.

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines[9] set the standard for all states and territories.

If you are travelling to a town that has been affected by flooding, you should check with your accommodation provider to see if any boil water alerts are active.

You can also check with the local water authority. In many cases this is the local council. The NSW Health Ministry lists[10] water alerts and incidents.

flood around bottle shop
Flooding can make water supplies unsafe to drink. AAP Image/Rebecca Bennett[11]

Read more: Drinking water can be a dangerous cocktail for people in flood areas[12]

Going bush?

But what if you are travelling or camping in a more remote area and are planning to drink from a local stream or an isolated water supply? You might be taking an unnecessary risk if you drink local water without precautions.  If you don’t have an off road camper with a safe water system, your health may be at risk.

If you can’t be certain of the water quality, it is probably best to drink bottled or boiled water. Other water treatment options include chemical disinfection or filtration, but these can be quite complex and technical[13]. Testing water yourself is also difficult and expensive.

If you boil water[14], it needs to be a “rolling boil” with big bubbles erupting on the surface. Let it bubble for or at least a minute[15] and store cooled water in a closed container.

black kettle over campfire Boil water for at least one minute to kill off germs. Unsplash, CC BY[16][17]

Read more: Mozzies are everywhere right now – including giant ones and those that make us sick. Here's what you need to know[18]

Tasting notes

If you do drink water from an untreated water supply, your senses can give some clues to its safety and quality. Does the water appear clean? Does it smell OK? Is there any cloudiness, discolouration or anything floating or suspended in the water? These signs don’t always mean water is unsafe to drink, but can be an indicator of poor water quality[19].

That said, water tastes different in different locations around Australia and it might not taste like what you’re used to. Every year the Australian water industry holds a competition to judge Australia’s best-tasting water. This year Casino, in northern NSW took the top prize[20].

A common complaint from travellers is the smell of chlorine[21] (or perhaps more accurately chloramines) in town water. These are a family of chlorine compounds added in low doses to water to kill any disease causing microorganisms in water supply systems. These compounds can be reduced[22] to taste by boiling or by using a commercial water filter.

Read more: It's natural to want to feed wildlife after disasters. But it may not help[23]

And don’t swim in it either

Flooding continues to affect many rivers and communities. Flood waters are working their way down river systems. South Australia is currently affected[24] by flooding of the Murray River, with SES warning of a bigger flood peak later in December.

Even if a flooded river looks inviting for a cooling swim this summer, don’t swim in it. Apart from the drowning risk, or entanglement with debris, medical advice is to avoid contact with flood waters as they are highly contaminated[25] with disease-causing organisms, including from sewerage overflows.

Even if you’re not drinking it, you don’t want to accidentally ingest this dangerous cocktail.

References

  1. ^ basic human need (www.un.org)
  2. ^ 2 billion people (www.who.int)
  3. ^ water-borne diseases (www.health.vic.gov.au)
  4. ^ contaminated (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ supply systems (www.narrandera.nsw.gov.au)
  6. ^ limited clean water available (www.theguardian.com)
  7. ^ boil water alerts (www.health.nsw.gov.au)
  8. ^ issued (coliban.com.au)
  9. ^ Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (www.nhmrc.gov.au)
  10. ^ lists (www.health.nsw.gov.au)
  11. ^ AAP Image/Rebecca Bennett (photos-cdn.aap.com.au)
  12. ^ Drinking water can be a dangerous cocktail for people in flood areas (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ quite complex and technical (www.cdc.gov)
  14. ^ boil water (www.health.nsw.gov.au)
  15. ^ at least a minute (www.epa.gov)
  16. ^ Unsplash (images.unsplash.com)
  17. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  18. ^ Mozzies are everywhere right now – including giant ones and those that make us sick. Here's what you need to know (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ indicator of poor water quality (wqa.org)
  20. ^ top prize (wioa.org.au)
  21. ^ chlorine (www.cdc.gov)
  22. ^ reduced (www.drinking-water.org)
  23. ^ It's natural to want to feed wildlife after disasters. But it may not help (theconversation.com)
  24. ^ currently affected (www.ses.sa.gov.au)
  25. ^ highly contaminated (www.epa.vic.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/travelling-around-australia-this-summer-heres-how-to-know-if-the-water-is-safe-to-drink-196294

The Times Features

From Classic to Contemporary: 5 Timeless Costumes for Any Party

When it comes to dressing up for a costume party, you want to choose something that is not only fun but also memorable. Whether you're attending a Halloween event, a themed gathe...

Action Figures as Art: The Growing Trend of Custom Figures and Modding

Action figures have long been regarded as collectible items, valued by enthusiasts and fans for their connection to popular culture. However, in recent years, a growing trend has...

The Ultimate Guide to Securing Grants for Your Small Business in Australia

Running a small business in Australia comes with both opportunities and challenges. While it can be rewarding, funding your business through the early stages or periods of growth...

Men’s Guide to Styling Suits with Sweaters for the Ultimate Winter Look

Winter brings a unique set of challenges when it comes to maintaining a sharp and stylish wardrobe. While suits are a staple of a well-dressed man’s closet, staying warm during t...

Discover the Charm of a Girl's White Dress

Key Highlights Timeless elegance: White dresses feel pure and have classic charm. They are perfect for many types of events. Versatile styles: You can pick from lace, embroid...

Top Medical Grade Red Light Therapy Devices in Australia

Key Highlights Lumitter™ has advanced red light therapy devices that combine new ideas with wellness. Red light therapy helps lower pain and swelling and boosts skin health. ...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping