Access to clean water and sanitation is essential to staying safe from waterborne diseases. Here’s what you need to know.
Is the water in South Australia safe to drink?
Water supplied by SA Water is generally safe, meeting the framework laid out by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Despite this, you may prefer to install additional water purification to ensure top quality water.
If you draw your water from another source, such as a bore, dam or from rainwater tanks, your water quality will vary and may become unsafe without any notice. For these water sources, a water filter, such as the Puratap Water Filter, is highly recommended.
Where does South Australia get its drinking water from?
South Australia’s water is sourced from the Murray River, local catchments, groundwater supplies, local rainwater, recycled stormwater, desalinated ocean water and treated wastewater.
What are the 5 most common waterborne diseases in South Australia?
- Legionella – This nasty bacteria grows and spreads in building water systems. It can cause Pontiac disease, an influenza-like illness, or more significantly, Legionnaires’ disease, which can lead to organ failure and death.
- Cryptosporidium – Swallowing this parasite will lead to a stomach bug-like illness, most commonly accompanied by severe stomach cramps and watery diarrhoea. While it can be a mild illness in some, symptoms can hang around for months in immunocompromised individuals.
- Giardia – Another tiny waterborne parasite which can cause stomach bug-like symptoms which often last for months, particularly in children.
- Norovirus – The first sign of infection with the highly contagious norovirus is the sudden onset of severe diarrhoea and vomiting. While typically a short-lived illness, it can lead to dehydration in vulnerable individuals, such as children or the elderly.
- Pseudomonas – A bacterium found where there is inadequate water sanitation. It can cause lung infections in immunocompromised individuals or those with pre-existing lung disease.
How is water quality measured in South Australia?
SA Water conducts in excess of 370 000 water quality tests in their laboratories per year. This does not, however, guarantee against negative water quality impacts between the source and your property. Nor does it include water you may source elsewhere.
How can you prevent waterborne diseases from drinking tap water?
The best way to ensure that you have clean, safe water supplies is to have a reliable water purification system installed and regularly change your water filter.
