The ongoing drought in Australia means that it is important that we use water wisely and efficiently.   The EPHC is assiting in this aim through its involvement in a number of projects under the National Water Quality Management System (NWQMS).  These include the development of Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling, the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme and National Guidelines for Residential Customer Water Accounts.

Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling

The Environment Protection and Heritage Council, the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council have developed guidelines for the safe use of recycled water.

Case studies for Managed Aquifer recharge Risk Assessments are available at:www.clw.csiro.au/publications/waterforahealthycountry/2010/wfhc-MAR-case-study-risk-assessments.pdf

Managing health and environmental risks

• Overview Document - Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks - Phase 1 - March 2008 (PDF - 2.17 MB)
• Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks - November 2006 (PDF - 804.47 KB)

Water recycling

• Recycled Water Quality: A guide to determining, monitoring and achieving safe concentrations of chemicals in recycled water - Uniquest - May 2008 (PDF - 1.63 MB)
• Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling - Erratum - December 2006 (PDF - 11.87 KB)
• Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling - Managing Health and Environmental Risks - Impact Assessment - September 2005 (PDF - 563.88 KB)

Augmentation of Drinking Water Supplies

• Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 2): Augmentation of Drinking Water Supplies - Erratum - November 2008 (PDF - 11.81 KB)
• Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 2): Augmentation of Drinking Water Supplies (PDF - 4.22 MB)

Stormwater harvesting and reuse

• Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse - July 2009 (PDF - 4.3 MB)

Managed Aquifer Recharge

• Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managed Aquifer Recharge - July 2009 (PDF - 5.07 MB)

Fresh and Marine Water Quality Guidelines

National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) Document 4:Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (the Water Quality Guidelines) and Document 7: Australian Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting 2000 (the Monitoring & Reporting Guidelines) are available at: www.mincos.gov.au/publications/australian_and_new_zealand_guidelines_for...

These documents are key resources for managing water quality and protecting aquatic ecosystems in Australia and New Zealand.

The documents are currently under revision. Comments on the proposed scope of Phase 2 of the revision were sought by 3 December 2010, however feedback on the revision is welcome at any time. You can provide your comments to exec@ephc.gov.au

• NWQMS Guidelines 4 and 7 Phase 2 proposed scope for stakeholder feedback (PDF - 40.15 KB)
• Revision of Fresh and Marine Water Quality Guidelines - Overview (PDF - 22.58 KB)
• Revision of Fresh and Marine Water Quality Guidelines - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF - 26.9 KB)
• Revision of Fresh and Marine Water Quality Guidelines - Technical Working Group Update (PDF - 26.81 KB)

National Guidelines for Residential Customers Water Accounts - 2006

Council endorsed the 'National Guidelines for Residential Customers' Water Accounts - 2006, which were developed as part of the National Water Initiative. These guidelines provide a significant opportunity to engage customers in water conservation through informative water bills.

• National Guidelines for Residential Customers' Water Accounts (PDF - 897.37 KB) - January 2006

National Water Quality Management Strategy

The Environment Protection and Heritage Council in cooperation with the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council has developed the National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS). The National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Health Ministers Conference are involved in aspects of the NWQMS which affect public health. The NWQMS has three major elements: policies, process and national guidelines.