We make every effort to ensure that drinking water supplied to our customers complies with the requirements of Victoria's Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and is fit for consumption straight from the tap.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, our responsibility ends at the point of supply to our customer, typically, this is the water meter. If you notice a change in your drinking water it may be something from our end or it may be something at your end. Some of the more common water quality issues our customers experience include:
- White water - tap water can sometimes appear cloudy and this is often mistaken for a mineral impurity in the water. Cloudy water is usually caused by air bubbles coming out of solution in the water. The harmless cloudiness in the water disappears quickly as the gas is released from the water. Let your water sit for a few minutes and the gas will disappear.
- Dirty water - The red or brown colour and particles of rust in water is unattractive and makes the water look dirty, but it will not cause harm. Rust can often originate from old galvanised service lines. If you do not think this is the case please call a plumber to assess the problem. If the issue is at our end contact us and we will reimburse you for the plumbing costs (to a reasonable price).
- Hardness - scaling can appear on kettles and fittings due to very hard water. In domestic settings, hard water is often indicated by a lack of suds formation when soap is agitated in water.
- Dissolved metals - cupprosolvency also known as “blue water” is a mobilisation of copper into solution from copper containing pipes and fittings.
- Dissolved metals - plumbosolvency is the mobilisation of lead into solution from copper pipes and brass fittings (which may contain a small percentage of lead, added during manufacture). If water sits unused in domestic pipes for extended periods, concentrations of dissolved metals may increase and dirty water may result. Schools, hospitals, hotels, community halls and holiday homes are susceptible to this. Although the risk associated with this water quality issue is considered low, as a precaution, concerned customers are advised to dispose of at least two glasses of water (500mL) from their tap prior to consumption.
Further information on this topic is available in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 or if you continue have a problem with your tap water please contact us.