Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025 (Victoria)

These Regulations, made under s 56 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 (the Act) and commencing 6 July 2025 (reg 2, reg 3), set out detailed, operational requirements for how water suppliers and water storage managers must manage, monitor and report on drinking water quality. The Regulations revoke the 2015 Regulations (reg 4) and incorporate the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines by reference (reg 5 and Endnotes). The instrument performs four mechanical functions.

First, it prescribes mandatory content for risk management plans required under the Act (Part 2, reg 6). The risk management plan items include policy commitments, organisational responsibilities, critical control points and limits, infrastructure inspection and maintenance processes, emergency arrangements and, from staged dates, measures for quantifying microbial hazards, assigning source water categories and designing treatment to meet specified microbial outcome targets (reg 6(1)-(4)). The Regulation also specifies the risks the plan must address (reg 6(5)).

Second, it establishes audit-related procedures and minimal documentary scope for risk management plan audits (regs 7-9 and Schedule 1). It prescribes what must be made available to an auditor (reg 7), the form of the audit certificate (Schedule 1), and approval criteria for auditors (reg 9), including an approval process that explicitly places evaluative discretion with the Secretary (reg 9(b)) and requires a written declaration about conflicts of interest (reg 9(c)).

Third, it sets out sampling regimes and laboratory analysis requirements (Part 3 and Part 4). Water suppliers must specify water sampling areas and develop water sampling programs with minimum sampling frequencies for key characteristics (reg 11, reg 14). Water storage managers must develop sampling programs for supply to water suppliers (reg 15). Samples must be analysed by NATA-accredited testing organisations (reg 19). The Secretary may determine alternate sampling frequencies and must publish determinations in the Gazette (reg 18(1), (4)-(5)). The Regulations specify health-based and aesthetic drinking water quality standards and numeric thresholds for several characteristics, including turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen and a range of other chemical/physical aesthetic guideline values (reg 16 and Schedule 2).

Version No. 001

Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

S.R. No. 60/2025

Version as at
6 July 2025

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Regulation Page

Part 1—Preliminary 1

1 Objective 1

2 Authorising provision 1

3 Commencement 2

4 Revocation 2

5 Definitions 2

Part 2—Management of risks to water supply 5

6 Risk management plan 5

7 Risk management plan audit 13

8 Audit certificate 13

9 Approval of risk management plan auditors 13

10 Reportable log reduction shortfalls 14

Part 3—Water sampling areas and water sampling programs 15

11 Water sampling area 15

12 Variation of water sampling area 16

13 Directions by Secretary for water sampling area 17

14 Development of water sampling program—water supplier 18

15 Development of water sampling program—water storage manager 20

Part 4—Drinking water quality standards 22

16 Drinking water quality standards 22

17 Frequency of collecting drinking water samples 24

18 Secretary may determine frequency for collecting drinking water samples 24

19 Analysis of drinking water samples 25

20 Requirement to give analysis results to Secretary 26

Part 5—Other matters 29

21 Additional details to be included in a water supplier's annual report 29

22 Additional details to be included in a water storage manager's annual report 32

23 Infringement offences and infringement penalties 33

Schedule 1—Risk management plan audit certificate 34

Schedule 2—Aesthetic quality standards—other chemical or physical characteristics 35

Schedule 3—Infringements 37

═════════════

Endnotes 38

1 General information 38

2 Table of Amendments 40

3 Explanatory details 41

Version No. 001

Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

S.R. No. 60/2025

Version as at
6 July 2025

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Objective

The objective of these Regulations is to provide further for the supply of safe drinking water by—

(a) setting out further matters to be addressed in risk management plans and the risks to be addressed in those plans; and

(b) specifying the documents to be made available for inspection in a risk management plan audit; and

(d) specifying the issues relating to the quality of drinking water and regulated water that are to be dealt with by a water supplier and water storage manager in an annual report; and

(e) providing for other matters required to be prescribed under the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003.

2 Authorising provision

These Regulations are made under section 56 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003.

3 Commencement

These Regulations come into operation on 6 July 2025.

4 Revocation

The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015[1] are revoked.

5 Definitions

In these Regulations—

accredited testing organisation means an organisation that holds accreditation from NATA in relation to testing potable water for characteristics specified in a water supplier's water sampling program;

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines means the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines published by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, as in force from time to time;

critical control point, in relation to water supplied by a water agency, means a point in the system of supply at which—

(a) an action, procedure or process can be applied to the water; and

(b) the effective operation of that action, procedure or process is essential to prevent a hazard to human health or to reduce the hazard to an acceptable level;

critical limit, in relation to an action, procedure or process that is applied to water at a critical control point, means the limit at which the action, procedure or process ceases to operate effectively;

drinking water treatment process means a process that is—

(a) applied to water that is, or is to be, supplied as drinking water; and

(b) designed to render the water suitable for supply as drinking water; and

emergency has the same meaning as in the Emergency Management Act 2013;

emergency management has the same meaning as in the Emergency Management Act 2013;

hazard means a biological, chemical, physical or radiological agent that has the potential to cause harm;

microbial health outcome target means the microbial health-based target specified in Section 1.3 of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines;

Note

The microbial health-based target specified in Section 1.3 of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines as in force on the commencement of these Regulations is 1 x 10-6 Disability Adjusted Life Years per person per year.

NATA means National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia, ACN 004 379 748;

new water sampling area means a water sampling area other than an area referred to in regulation 11(2);

reportable log reduction shortfall, in relation to a source water category, means a log reduction value that is at least one log reduction value below a treatment target for that source water category;

sample characteristic means a microbial, chemical or physical characteristic of drinking water for which a drinking water quality standard is specified;

Note

The drinking water quality standards are specified in regulation 16 for the purposes of section 17(1) of the Act.

source water category means a category for a source of water specified in Table 5.4 of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines;

the Act means the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003;

treatment target, in relation to a source water category, means a target specified for that category in Table 5.5 of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines;

water agency means a water storage manager or a water supplier;

water sampling area means an area specified under regulation 11;

water sampling program means a program developed under regulation 14 or 15.

Part 2—Management of risks to water supply

6 Risk management plan

(1) For the purposes of section 9(1)(e) of the Act, a risk management plan must contain details of, or refer to, the following matters—

(a) on and from 6 October 2025, the water agency's policy for managing drinking water quality, including—

(i) a statement of the water agency's commitment to manage the quality of the water supplied by the water agency; and

(ii) how the water agency has endorsed that commitment; and

(iii) how the commitment is communicated to the water agency's employees;

(b) for a risk management plan prepared by a water supplier, each water sampling area specified by the water supplier, including—

(i) a clearly marked map of the boundaries of each water sampling area; and

(ii) all information reasonably available to the water supplier that assists to identify the boundaries of each water sampling area; and

(iii) for a new water sampling area or a water sampling area varied under regulation 12—

(A) how the boundaries of that water sampling area have been determined; and

(B) how the matters specified in regulation 11(3) or 12(2) (as the case requires) were considered in determining the boundaries of that water sampling area;

(c) in relation to water quality risks for water supplied by the water agency, the positions held by persons employed or engaged by the water agency who are responsible for managing those risks;

(d) procedures for consultation with other water agencies in relation to water quality risks for water supplied—

(i) to the water agency by other water agencies; and

(ii) by the water agency to other water agencies;

(e) emergency management arrangements for emergencies or incidents that have, or may have, an adverse effect on the quality or safety of water supplied by the water agency, including—

(i) the positions held by persons employed or engaged by the water agency who are responsible for dealing with those emergencies or incidents; and

(ii) methods for communicating information to the public in relation to those emergencies or incidents;

(f) for a risk management plan prepared by a water supplier, the water sampling program developed by the water supplier, including—

(i) the matters specified in regulation 14(2); and

(ii) how the locations for collecting water samples have been determined; and

(iii) how the matters referred to in regulation 14(3), (4) and (5) were considered in developing the program;

(g) for a risk management plan prepared by a water storage manager, the water sampling program developed by the water storage manager, including—

(i) the matters specified in regulation 15(2); and

(ii) how the locations for collecting water samples have been determined;

(h) in circumstances where the water agency adds chemicals to drinking water supplied by the water agency, procedures and systems for—

(i) ensuring that the amount and purity of those chemicals do not adversely affect the quality of that drinking water or pose a risk to human health; and

(ii) controlling the addition of any residue or chemical by‑products to that drinking water;

(i) the required competency and training of persons who are employed or engaged by the water agency, to the extent that the competency or training relates to the monitoring and management of water quality risks for water supplied by the water agency;

(j) any policies, standards and guidelines adopted by the water agency in relation to the required competency and training described in paragraph (i);

(k) the infrastructure of the system of supply and other features of that system that are designed to assist in the management of water quality risks for water supplied by the water agency, including the method for verifying the effectiveness of the infrastructure and other features;

(l) on and from 6 October 2025, the process for inspecting and maintaining water storage, treatment and distribution assets to ensure the management of water quality risks for water supplied by the water agency;

(m) measures taken to monitor and manage water quality risks for water supplied by the water agency, including any methods for verifying the effectiveness of those measures;

(n) critical control points across the system of supply, including—

(i) how those critical control points are identified and recorded; and

(ii) the water quality risks at each critical control point; and

(iii) the critical limits that apply at each critical control point; and

(iv) if a critical limit is reached at a critical control point—

(A) any additional actions, procedures or processes that are to be applied to the water at the critical control point; and

(B) any policies or guidelines that are to be implemented;

(o) on and from 6 October 2025, the process for assessing emerging or potential water quality risks;

(p) on and from 6 October 2025, an improvement plan that specifies how the water agency proposes to improve its management of the quality of the water supplied by the water agency;

(q) on and from 6 October 2025, the processes for the short-term and long-term review of data to monitor water quality risks for water supplied by the water agency.

(2) For the purposes of section 9(1)(e) of the Act, if a water agency operates and maintains a drinking water treatment process that is applied to untreated water, the water agency's risk management plan must contain, for the period from 6 July 2025 to 5 July 2026, details of the methodology that is used by the water agency to quantify microbial hazards in relation to that water, including—

(a) the extent to which pathogenic microorganisms are present in water that enters the drinking water treatment process; and

(b) the extent to which that drinking water treatment process—

(i) removes those pathogenic microorganisms from the water; or

(ii) reduces the amount of those pathogenic microorganisms in the water.

(3) For the purposes of section 9(1)(e) of the Act, if a water agency manages a source of untreated water that is to be treated and supplied as drinking water, the water agency's risk management plan must contain details of the following matters on and from 6 July 2026—

(a) the process for determining a source water category for that source of untreated water in accordance with Section 5.4.3 of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines;

(b) procedures for reviewing and revising the source water category for that source of untreated water.

(4) For the purposes of section 9(1)(e) of the Act, if a water agency applies a drinking water treatment process to untreated water, the water agency's risk management plan must contain details of the following matters on and from 6 July 2026—

(a) procedures for assessing the treatment required to be applied to the untreated water, based on its source water category, for that water to meet the microbial health outcome target;

(b) procedures for designing and monitoring the drinking water treatment process to ensure that the water to which the process is applied meets the treatment targets for the source water category of that water;

(i) the microbial health outcome target; and

(ii) the treatment targets for the source water category of that water;

(d) if the water to which the drinking water treatment process is applied does not meet the targets referred to in paragraph (c), procedures for implementing improvements to ensure that the water meets those targets.

(5) For the purposes of section 9(2) of the Act, the specified risks to be addressed are the following—

(a) the risk to human health that arises from the presence in water of—

(i) pathogenic microorganisms; and

(ii) inorganic chemicals, including inorganic disinfection by-products; and

(iii) organic chemicals, including pesticides, pesticide residues and organic disinfection by-products; and

(iv) radionuclides; and

(v) algal toxins;

(b) the risks arising from an incident that may cause the organisms or substances referred to in paragraph (a) to be introduced, whether by humans or the natural environment, into—

(i) in the case of a water supplier, the water supplier's system of supply; or

(ii) in the case of a water storage manager, the water supplied by the water storage manager;

(c) the risk of the organisms or substances referred to in paragraph (a) entering into water supplied by the water agency because of the transfer or distribution of that water;

(d) on and from 6 January 2027, the risk to the taste, odour or clarity of water that arises from—

(i) the presence in water of an algal metabolite, a chemical or any other substance; and

(ii) the pH or turbidity level of the water; and

(iii) the colour or temperature of the water; and

(iv) an incident that may cause an algal metabolite, a chemical or any other substance to be introduced, whether by humans or the natural environment, into—

(A) in the case of a water supplier, the water supplier's system of supply; or

(B) in the case of a water storage manager, the water supplied by the water storage manager; and

(v) an algal metabolite, a chemical or any other substance entering into water supplied by the water agency because of the transfer or distribution of that water.

(6) In this regulation—

water quality risk, in relation to water supplied by a water agency, includes—

(a) a risk referred to in section 9(1)(b) of the Act; and

(b) a risk that is specified for the purposes of section 9(2) of the Act.

Note

Section 9(1)(b) of the Act provides for a risk management plan to identify the risks to the quality of the water supplied by the water agency and the risks that may be posed by the quality of the water. Subregulation (5) specifies risks to be addressed in a risk management plan for the purposes of section 9(2) of the Act.

7 Risk management plan audit

For the purposes of section 10(2) of the Act, the specified documents are—

(a) the risk management plan; and

(b) any document referred to in the risk management plan or containing material that relates to the risk management plan; and

8 Audit certificate

For the purposes of section 12(2) of the Act, the form of the certificate is set out in Schedule 1.

9 Approval of risk management plan auditors

For the purposes of section 13(2) of the Act, the auditor approval criteria are that the person—

(a) either—

(i) holds an accreditation from an institution which, in the opinion of the Secretary, makes the person suitable for approval as a risk management plan auditor; or

(ii) demonstrates to the Secretary that the person has the necessary experience, qualifications and skills to conduct audits of risk management plans independently; and

(b) is, in the reasonable opinion of the Secretary, a suitable person to be approved as an auditor; and

(c) provides to the Secretary a written declaration that the person has no conflict of interest that would affect the person's ability to conduct an audit of a risk management plan objectively.

10 Reportable log reduction shortfalls

(1) On and from 6 July 2026, if a water agency becomes aware that the application of a drinking water treatment process to a source of untreated water has produced, or will produce, a reportable log reduction shortfall for the source water category of that water, the water agency must notify the Secretary in writing within 10 days after becoming aware of that shortfall.

(2) A notification under subregulation (1) must specify—

(a) details of the operation of the drinking water treatment process; and

(b) the actions that the water agency has taken, or proposes to take, to address the reportable log reduction shortfall.

Part 3—Water sampling areas and water sampling programs

11 Water sampling area

(1) A water supplier must specify an area that is supplied with drinking water by the water supplier to be a water sampling area for the purposes of the water supplier's risk management plan.

(2) An area supplied with drinking water by a water supplier that is specified to be a water sampling locality under the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 immediately before their revocation is, on and from that revocation, a water sampling area for the purposes of the water supplier's risk management plan as if the water supplier had specified that area to be a water sampling area under subregulation (1).

(3) If a water supplier specifies a new water sampling area for the purposes of the water supplier's risk management plan, the water supplier must consider the following matters in determining the boundaries of that new water sampling area—

(a) the source or sources of the water that will be supplied as drinking water in the water sampling area;

(b) the drinking water treatment processes to be applied to water that will be supplied as drinking water in the water sampling area;

(4) Within 10 days after a water supplier specifies a new water sampling area for the purposes of the water supplier's risk management plan, the water supplier must—

(a) give written notice to the Secretary of the new water sampling area, including—

(i) how the boundaries of the new water sampling area have been determined; and

(ii) how the matters specified in subregulation (3) were considered in determining the boundaries of the new water sampling area; and

(iii) a clearly marked map of the boundaries of the new water sampling area; and

(iv) all information reasonably available to the water supplier that assists to identify the boundaries of the new water sampling area; and

(b) update the water supplier's risk management plan to specify details of the new water sampling area.

12 Variation of water sampling area

(1) A water supplier may vary the boundaries of a water sampling area specified in the water supplier's risk management plan.

(2) In varying the boundaries of a water sampling area, a water supplier must consider—

(a) the source or sources of the water that will be supplied as drinking water in the water sampling area; and

(b) the drinking water treatment processes to be applied to water that will be supplied as drinking water in the water sampling area; and

(3) Within 10 days after a water supplier varies the boundaries of a water sampling area, the water supplier must—

(a) give written notice to the Secretary of that variation, including—

(i) how the boundaries of the water sampling area have been varied; and

(ii) how the matters specified in subregulation (2) were considered in varying the boundaries of the water sampling area; and

(iii) a clearly marked map of the boundaries of the varied water sampling area; and

(iv) all information reasonably available to the water supplier that assists to identify the boundaries of the varied water sampling area; and

(b) update the details of the water sampling area specified in the water supplier's risk management plan.

13 Directions by Secretary for water sampling area

(1) If the Secretary believes that water samples collected at a water sampling area specified in a water supplier's risk management plan do not, or will not, represent the drinking water supplied by the water supplier to the public, the Secretary may direct the water supplier to do one or more of the following—

(a) vary the boundaries of that area and any associated water sampling area;

(b) specify a new water sampling area for the purposes of the water supplier's risk management plan.

(2) If the Secretary believes that a water supplier is supplying drinking water to an area (an additional area) that is not specified as a water sampling area for the purposes of the water supplier's risk management plan, the Secretary may direct the water supplier to do one or more of the following—

(a) vary the boundaries of one or more water sampling areas specified in the water supplier's risk management plan to ensure the additional area is specified as a water sampling area;

(b) specify the additional area as a new water sampling area for the purposes of the water supplier's risk management plan.

(3) A direction under subregulation (1) or (2) must—

(a) be in writing; and

(b) describe how the boundaries of the new water sampling area or the varied water sampling area (as the case requires) are to be determined.

(4) A water supplier who is given a direction under subregulation (1) or (2) must comply with that direction.

14 Development of water sampling program—water supplier

(1) For the purposes of monitoring drinking water quality, a water supplier must develop a program for collecting and analysing water samples from the drinking water and regulated water supplied by the water supplier to the public.

(2) A water sampling program developed by a water supplier must specify—

(a) locations at which water samples will be collected within each water sampling area specified in the water supplier's risk management plan; and

(b) how frequently water samples will be collected at those locations, which must include—

(i) at least once per week in each water sampling area for a water sample that is tested for Escherichia coli; and

(ii) at least once per month in each water sampling area for a water sample that is tested for total trihalomethanes; and

(iii) at least once per month in each water sampling area for a water sample that is tested for its pH level; and

(iv) at least once per week in each water sampling area for a water sample that is tested for its turbidity level; and

(d) how frequently water samples will be tested.

(3) In determining the locations to be specified under subregulation (2)(a), the water supplier must ensure that the samples collected at those locations will represent the drinking water supplied to the public from each water sampling area specified in the water supplier's risk management plan.

(4) In determining the collection frequency to be specified under subregulation (2)(b), the water supplier must ensure that a sufficient number of samples are collected during the period of supply that will represent, so far as practicable, the drinking water supplied by the water supplier to the public during that period.

(5) In determining the characteristics to be specified under subregulation (2)(c) and the testing frequency to be specified under subregulation (2)(d), the water supplier must consider—

(a) how the characteristics and testing frequency will assist the water supplier to monitor its compliance with the drinking water quality standards; and

(b) any chemicals or other substances that will be used to treat drinking water supplied to the public in each water sampling area specified in the water supplier's risk management plan.

15 Development of water sampling program—water storage manager

(1) For the purposes of monitoring water quality, a water storage manager must develop a program for collecting and analysing water samples from the water supplied by the water storage manager to a water supplier.

(2) A water sampling program developed by a water storage manager must specify—

(a) locations at which water samples will be collected; and

(b) how frequently water samples will be collected; and

(d) how frequently water samples will be tested.

Part 4—Drinking water quality standards

16 Drinking water quality standards

(1) For the purposes of section 17(1) of the Act, the specified quality standards for drinking water are—

(a) the health-based drinking water quality standards specified in subregulation (2); and

(b) the aesthetic drinking water quality standard specified in subregulation (3); and

(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1)(a), the specified health-based drinking water quality standards are the following—

(a) the drinking water does not contain Escherichia coli;

(b) if the drinking water contains a chemical or physical characteristic specified in Table 10.6 of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, the amount of the characteristic in the drinking water does not exceed the health guideline value (if any) that is specified opposite that characteristic in that Table;

(c) if the drinking water contains a microbial, chemical or physical characteristic that is not referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), the amount of the characteristic in the drinking water is less than an amount that would pose a risk to human health, whether that risk arises from the characteristic by itself or in combination with other characteristics.

(3) For the purposes of subregulation (1)(b), the specified aesthetic drinking water quality standard is that, in relation to all samples of the drinking water that are collected from a water sampling area during a period of 12 months and tested for turbidity levels, the 95th percentile of results for that period does not exceed 5 nephelometric turbidity units.

(4) For the purposes of subregulation (1)(c), the specified aesthetic drinking water quality standards are the following—

(a) in relation to all samples of the drinking water that are collected from a water sampling area during a period of 12 months and tested for pH levels, the average pH value of those samples is at least 6·5 but does not exceed 9·2;

(b) in relation to all samples of the drinking water that are collected from a water sampling area during a period of 12 months and tested for dissolved oxygen levels, the average amount of dissolved oxygen in those samples is more than 85 per cent;

(c) in relation to all samples of the drinking water that are collected from a water sampling area during a period of 12 months and tested for a chemical or physical characteristic specified in Column 2 of Schedule 2, the average amount of the characteristic in those samples does not exceed the aesthetic guideline value that is specified opposite that characteristic in Column 3 of that Schedule.

(5) For the purposes of section 19(1) of the Act, the aesthetic drinking water quality standards specified in subregulations (3) and (4) are not primarily intended to protect public health and may be varied under that section.

17 Frequency of collecting drinking water samples

A water supplier must ensure that samples of drinking water are collected from each location specified in the water supplier's water sampling program—

(a) for a water sample that is tested for a sample characteristic to which a determination under regulation 18 applies, at least as often as the frequency specified in that determination; and

(b) in any other case, at least as often as the frequency specified in the water supplier's water sampling program.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

18 Secretary may determine frequency for collecting drinking water samples

(1) The Secretary may determine, in relation to drinking water that is to be tested for a sample characteristic specified in the determination, the frequency at which samples of that drinking water must be collected in a water sampling area.

(2) A determination under subregulation (1) may be made—

(a) on an application by a water supplier; or

(b) on the Secretary's own initiative.

(3) In making a determination under subregulation (1), the Secretary may have regard to—

(a) the number of persons who take water from the water sampling area, including any variation in that number at different times during the year; and

(b) the number of water samples to be collected during the period specified in the determination that would ensure that those samples represent, so far as practicable, the drinking water supplied from the water sampling area during that period; and

(d) any other matter the Secretary considers relevant.

(4) A determination under subregulation (1) must specify the following—

(a) the water supplier to which the determination applies;

(b) the water sampling area to which the determination applies;

(d) the sample characteristic to which the determination applies;

(e) the period of the determination, including the date on which that period commences.

(5) A determination under subregulation (1) must be published in the Government Gazette.

19 Analysis of drinking water samples

A water supplier must ensure that each sample of drinking water collected from each location specified in the water supplier's water sampling program is analysed by an accredited testing organisation—

(a) for each characteristic that is specified in the water supplier's water sampling program; and

(b) at the testing frequency that is specified in the water supplier's water sampling program.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

20 Requirement to give analysis results to Secretary

(1) Within 10 days after a water supplier receives analysis results, the water supplier must give a written summary of the results to the Secretary if those results indicate that—

(a) a sample characteristic of the water contravenes a drinking water quality standard; or

(b) in the reasonable opinion of the water supplier, the level of a characteristic measured in the water may pose a risk to public health or result in widespread public complaint.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note

The drinking water quality standards are specified in regulation 16 for the purposes of section 17(1) of the Act.

(2) A water supplier that gives a written summary of analysis results to the Secretary under subregulation (1) must ensure that the summary specifies—

(a) the measurements of the sample characteristic or other parameter; and

(b) previous measurements of the sample characteristic or other parameter; and

(c) any related results of other samples from the water supplier that have been analysed by an accredited testing organisation; and

(d) the actions that the water supplier has taken, or proposes to take, in response to the contravention or risk.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(3) On and from 6 January 2027, within 30 days after the end of each reporting period, a water supplier must give to the Secretary a written summary of any analysis results received in relation to a water sample collected during that reporting period that indicate that—

(a) the pH value of the water is less than 6·5 or more than 9·2; or

(b) the turbidity of the water exceeds 5 nephelometric turbidity units; or

(d) if the water contains a chemical or physical characteristic specified in Column 2 of Schedule 2, the amount of the chemical or physical characteristic in the water exceeds the aesthetic guideline value that is specified opposite that characteristic in Column 3 of that Schedule.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(4) A water supplier that gives a written summary of analysis results to the Secretary under subregulation (3) must ensure that the summary specifies—

(a) the measurements of the sample characteristic or other parameter; and

(b) previous measurements of the sample characteristic or other parameter.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

(5) In this regulation—

analysis results means the results of an analysis referred to in regulation 19;

reporting period means—

(a) the period beginning on 1 January and ending on 31 March; and

(b) the period beginning on 1 April and ending on 30 June; and

(d) the period beginning on 1 October and ending on 31 December.

Part 5—Other matters

21 Additional details to be included in a water supplier's annual report

For the purposes of section 26(1) and (2) of the Act, the required contents of a water supplier's annual report are—

(a) details of any new water sampling areas and any variations to water sampling areas specified in the water supplier's risk management plan; and

(b) if an emergency or incident occurred during the financial year that affected the quality of water supplied by the water supplier, information about actions taken by the water supplier in response to that emergency or incident; and

(d) if the Secretary accepted a written undertaking by the water supplier under section 30 of the Act during the financial year, a summary of that undertaking; and

(e) a summary of the findings of the most recent risk management plan audit of the water supplier's risk management plan and any issues that the approved auditor raised during the risk management plan audit; and

(f) if the water supplier applied a drinking water treatment process to water supplied by the water supplier during the financial year—

(i) a summary of how the water was disinfected or treated; and

(ii) a summary of any other processes applied to the water; and

(iii) a summary of any issues that arose as a consequence of applying those processes; and

(iv) a list of all chemicals and other substances used to disinfect or treat the water; and

(g) in relation to the water supplied by the water supplier during the financial year, details of the water's compliance with the drinking water quality standards; and

Note

The drinking water quality standards are specified in regulation 16 for the purposes of section 17(1) of the Act.

(h) details of the water supplier's compliance with regulation 17 during the financial year; and

(i) if water supplied by the water supplier during the financial year did not comply with a drinking water quality standard, information about actions taken by the water supplier in relation to that water; and

(j) in relation to the analysis of water samples collected by the water supplier during the financial year—

(i) an evaluation of analysis results and information in respect of those water samples; and

(ii) a comparison of those results and information with corresponding results and information in respect of water samples collected during the previous 2 years; and

(k) if a variation of an aesthetic standard was approved under section 19 of the Act in respect of drinking water supplied by the water supplier during a period of the financial year, a summary of—

(i) that variation; and

(ii) any conditions imposed under section 21 of the Act in relation to that variation; and

(l) if an exemption from a water quality standard was approved under section 20 of the Act in respect of drinking water supplied by the water supplier during a period of the financial year, a summary of—

(i) that variation; and

(ii) any conditions imposed under section 21 of the Act in relation to that variation; and

(m) a summary of—

(i) any complaints received by the water supplier during the financial year that related to the quality of drinking water supplied by the water supplier; and

(ii) the water supplier's responses to those complaints and analysis of any issues that arose from those complaints; and

(n) a summary of steps taken by the water supplier to manage the aesthetic characteristics of the drinking water supplied by the water supplier during the financial year, including steps taken to manage the taste, odour, clarity and pH of that water; and

(o) if the water supplier supplied regulated water during the financial year, details of—

(i) that regulated water; and

(ii) the declaration under section 6 of the Act in respect of that regulated water; and

(iii) the steps taken in accordance with section 25 of the Act.

22 Additional details to be included in a water storage manager's annual report

For the purposes of section 26(1) and (2) of the Act, the required contents of a water storage manager's annual report are—

(a) if an emergency or incident occurred during the financial year that affected the quality of water supplied by the water storage manager, information about actions taken by the water storage manager in response to that emergency or incident; and

(b) any issues that arose as a consequence of the actions referred to in paragraph (a); and

(c) if the Secretary accepted a written undertaking by the water storage manager under section 30 of the Act during the financial year, a summary of that undertaking; and

(d) a summary of the findings of the most recent risk management plan audit of the water storage manager's risk management plan and any issues that the approved auditor raised during the risk management plan audit; and

(e) if the water storage manager applied a drinking water treatment process to water supplied by the water storage manager during the financial year—

(i) a summary of how the water was disinfected or treated; and

(ii) a summary of any other processes applied to the water; and

(iii) a summary of any issues that arose as a consequence of applying those processes; and

(iv) a list of all chemicals and other substances used to disinfect or treat the water; and

(f) if a water storage manager was exempted under section 8(3) of the Act from compliance with section 8(1) of the Act during a period of the financial year, details of that exemption and any condition imposed in relation to that exemption.

23 Infringement offences and infringement penalties

(1) For the purposes of section 47A(1) of the Act, an offence specified in Column 2 of the Table in Schedule 3 is prescribed as an infringement offence.

(2) For the purposes of section 47A(3) of the Act, the prescribed infringement penalty for an infringement offence referred to in subregulation (1) is the penalty specified in Column 3 of the Table in Schedule 3 in respect of that infringement offence.

Schedule 1—Risk management plan audit certificate

Regulation 8

Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

Certificate number: [insert a number to specifically identify this certificate from any other audit certificate issued by the approved auditor]

Audit period: [insert period of audit relevant to this certificate]

Date of audit completion: [insert date on which the audit is completed]

To: [insert full name and address of person who commissioned the audit]

Australian Business Number (ABN): [insert the business number of the water supplier or water storage manager]

I, [insert full name of approved auditor], after conducting a risk management plan audit in relation to the water supplied by [insert name of the water supplier or water storage manager], am of the opinion that—

*[insert name of water supplier] *has/*has not complied with the obligations imposed by section 7(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 during the audit period.

*[insert name of water storage manager] *has/*has not complied with the obligations imposed by section 8(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 during the audit period.

*The details of the reasons for non-compliance are—

*[insert/attach the details of the reasons for non-compliance]

Signature of approved auditor:

Date:

Delete if not applicable.

Schedule 2—Aesthetic quality standards—other chemical or physical characteristics

Regulation 16(4)

Column 1 Item	Column 2 Characteristic	Column 3 Aesthetic guideline value
1	Aluminium (acid-soluble)	0·2 mg/L
2	Ammonia (as NH3)	0·5 mg/L
3	Chloride	250 mg/L
4	Chlorine dioxide	0·4 mg/L
5	Chlorobenzene	0·01 mg/L
6	2-chlorophenol	0·0001 mg/L
7	2,4-dichlorophenol	0·0003 mg/L
8	2,4,6-trichlorophenol	0·002 mg/L
9	Colour	15 Hazen units
10	Copper	1 mg/L
11	1,2-dichlorobenzene	0·001 mg/L
12	1,3-dichlorobenzene	0·02 mg/L
13	1,4-dichlorobenzene	0·0003 mg/L
14	Ethylbenzene	0·003 mg/L
15	Hardness (as CaCO3)	200 mg/L
16	Hydrogen sulfide	0·05 mg/L
17	Iron	0·3 mg/L
18	Manganese	0·1 mg/L
19	Silica	80 mg/L
20	Sodium	180 mg/L
21	Styrene (vinylbenzene)	0·004 mg/L
22	Sulfate	250 mg/L
23	Toluene	0·025 mg/L
24	Total dissolved solids	600 mg/L
25	Trichlorobenzenes (total)	0·005 mg/L

26	Xylene	0·02 mg/L
27	Zinc	3 mg/L

Schedule 3—Infringements

Regulation 23

Table

Column 1 Item	Column 2 Infringement offence	Column 3 Infringement penalty
1	An offence against section 12(3) of the Act	10 penalty units
2	An offence against section 14 of the Act	10 penalty units
3	An offence against section 15 of the Act	10 penalty units
4	An offence against section 37(1) of the Act	2 penalty units
5	An offence against section 49 of the Act	7 penalty units
6	An offence against regulation 17	4 penalty units
7	An offence against regulation 19	4 penalty units
8	An offence against regulation 20(1)	4 penalty units
9	An offence against regulation 20(2)	4 penalty units
10	An offence against regulation 20(3)	4 penalty units
11	An offence against regulation 20(4)	4 penalty units

═════════════

Endnotes

1 General information

See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.

The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025, S.R. No. 60/2025 were made on 24 June 2025 by the Governor in Council under section 56 of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003, No. 46/2003 and came into operation on 6 July 2025: regulation 3.

The Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 24 June 2035 (see section 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994).

INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)

Style changes

Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.

References to ILA s. 39B

Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.

Interpretation

As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:

• Headings

All headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after
1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.
This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.
See section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).

• Examples, diagrams or notes

All examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).

• Punctuation

All punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after
1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.
See section 36(3B).

• Provision numbers

All provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after
1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).

• Location of "legislative items"

A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.

• Other material

Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).

2 Table of Amendments

There are no amendments made to the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.

3 Explanatory details

Reg. 4: S.R. No. 88/2015.

——

Penalty Units

These Regulations provide for penalties by reference to penalty units within the meaning of section 110 of the Sentencing Act 1991. The amount of the penalty is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of the Monetary Units Act 2004, by multiplying the number of penalty units applicable by the value of a penalty unit.

The value of a penalty unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2025 is $203.51. The amount of the calculated penalty may be rounded to the nearest dollar.

The value of a penalty unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the Monetary Units Act 2004. The value of a penalty unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year.

——

Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter

The following table of applied, adopted or incorporated matter was included in S.R. No. 60/2025 in accordance with the requirements of regulation 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Regulations 2024.

| **Statutory rule provision** | **Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document** | **Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Regulation 5, definition of ***Australian Drinking Water Guidelines*** | National Water Quality Management Strategy—Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 6 2011, published by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, Commonwealth of Australia in October 2011 and updated in December 2024 | The whole |

↑

1 Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

Version No. 001

Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

S.R. No. 60/2025

Version as at
6 July 2025

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Regulation Page

Part 1—Preliminary 1

1 Objective 1

2 Authorising provision 1

3 Commencement 2

4 Revocation 2

5 Definitions 2

Part 2—Management of risks to water supply 5

6 Risk management plan 5

7 Risk management plan audit 13

8 Audit certificate 13

9 Approval of risk management plan auditors 13

10 Reportable log reduction shortfalls 14

Part 3—Water sampling areas and water sampling programs 15

11 Water sampling area 15

12 Variation of water sampling area 16

13 Directions by Secretary for water sampling area 17

14 Development of water sampling program—water supplier 18

15 Development of water sampling program—water storage manager 20

Part 4—Drinking water quality standards 22

16 Drinking water quality standards 22

17 Frequency of collecting drinking water samples 24

18 Secretary may determine frequency for collecting drinking water samples 24

19 Analysis of drinking water samples 25

20 Requirement to give analysis results to Secretary 26

Part 5—Other matters 29

21 Additional details to be included in a water supplier's annual report 29

22 Additional details to be included in a water storage manager's annual report 32

23 Infringement offences and infringement penalties 33

Schedule 1—Risk management plan audit certificate 34

Schedule 2—Aesthetic quality standards—other chemical or physical characteristics 35

Schedule 3—Infringements 37

═════════════

Endnotes 38

1 General information 38

2 Table of Amendments 40

3 Explanatory details 41

Version No. 001

Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

The Regulations rely on a set of defined terms and concepts that govern regulatory duties and technical compliance. The definitional regime is in regulation 5, and several concepts are central to how obligations operate.

Water agency, water supplier and water storage manager. The Regulations repeatedly treat obligations differently depending on whether the entity is a water supplier (retailer/municipal supplier) or a water storage manager (owner/operator of source/storage supplying a supplier). The term water agency is used as a collective descriptor that includes both categories (reg 5).
Risk management plan. For the purposes of section 9(1)(e) of the Act, the Regulations define mandatory content for a risk management plan. That content ranges from governance (policy statement, endorsement, communication) to operational measures (critical control points, critical limits, infrastructure maintenance, inspection, monitoring) and processes for assessing emerging risks and improvement planning (reg 6(1), (l), (o)-(q)).
Critical control point and critical limit. The Regulations adopt HACCP-like terminology (reg 5). A critical control point is a point where an action/process can be applied to water and is essential to prevent or reduce a hazard (reg 5), and a critical limit is the limit at which the action/process ceases to operate effectively (reg 5). Risk management plans must identify critical control points and critical limits and specify actions if limits are reached (reg 6(1)(n)).
Microbial health outcome target and treatment target. The instrument incorporates the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and their technical targets. The microbial health outcome target is the metric from section 1.3 of the ADWG (reg 5 and Note). The Regulations require water agencies that treat untreated water to document methodologies for quantifying microbial hazards and to adopt source water categorisation as prescribed in the ADWG (reg 6(2)-(4)). "Reportable log reduction shortfall" is defined with reference to treatment targets for source water categories in the ADWG (reg 5).
Water sampling area and water sampling program. A water sampling area is the unit for sampling and compliance measurement; suppliers must specify areas supplied with drinking water to be water sampling areas and must consider source, treatment and distribution systems when setting boundaries (reg 11). Water sampling programs must name sampling locations, define collection frequencies and specify characteristics to be tested, with minimum mandatory frequencies for certain characteristics (reg 14(2)).
Drinking water quality standards. The Regulations specify health-based and aesthetic standards. Health-based standards include the absence of Escherichia coli and compliance with health guideline values listed in Table 10.6 of the ADWG for specified characteristics (reg 16(2)). Aesthetic standards include turbidity percentile limits and, from 6 January 2027, pH, dissolved oxygen and other aesthetic guideline averages as specified in Schedule 2 (reg 16(3)-(4)).
Accreditation. Testing must be by a NATA-accredited testing organisation for characteristics specified in a water sampling program (reg 5 definition of accredited testing organisation; reg 19). Auditor approval requires accreditation or demonstrable experience/qualifications and a conflict-of-interest declaration (reg 9).
Secretary's discretions and powers. The Secretary has multiple regulatory instruments: approving auditors (reg 9), determining sample collection frequency and publishing determinations (reg 18), directing suppliers to alter water sampling areas (reg 13), and receiving notifications of shortfalls and analysis summaries (regs 10, 20). The form and publication of certain actions are specified (Schedule 1 for audit certificate; reg 18(5) for Gazette publication).

These concepts interplay across the instrument. For example, source water categorisation (an ADWG construct) feeds into treatment target obligations, which in turn create an obligation to notify the Secretary of reportable log reduction shortfalls (reg 6(3)-(4), reg 10). Similarly, the identification of water sampling areas (reg 11) drives sampling programme design (reg 14) and sampling frequency determinations by the Secretary (reg 18). The Regulations therefore weave technical standards (ADWG) with procedural duties (plans, notifications, audits) and a suite of enforcement mechanisms (penalties, directions, infringement notices).

The Regulations create legally binding duties for specific actors and affect a broader set of stakeholders by shaping monitoring, reporting and enforcement flows.

Primary obliged entities

Water suppliers. Obligations include specifying water sampling areas (reg 11), developing and implementing water sampling programs with specified minimum sampling frequencies (reg 14(1)-(2)), ensuring samples are analysed by NATA-accredited testing organisations (reg 19), giving analysis summaries to the Secretary when results indicate contravention or risk (reg 20(1)-(2)), complying with Secretary directions about sampling areas (reg 13(4)), maintaining and updating risk management plans with prescribed content (reg 6(1)(b), (f)), and including detailed material in annual reports (reg 21).
Water storage managers. Obligations include developing water sampling programs for water supplied to water suppliers (reg 15), including required content in risk management plans relating to sampling programs (reg 6(1)(g)), participating in audit and reporting regimes (reg 7, reg 22), and providing summaries in their annual report where they applied treatment processes (reg 22(e)).
Water agencies (collective term). For duties that apply to both water suppliers and water storage managers, the Regulations use the term water agency. Those duties include many of the risk management plan content requirements (reg 6(1)) and the obligation to notify the Secretary of reportable log reduction shortfalls (reg 10).

Other regulated actors

Risk management plan auditors. The Regulations set approval criteria (reg 9), require auditors to issue an audit certificate in the form in Schedule 1 (reg 8 and Schedule 1), and require auditors to be independent and declare conflicts of interest (reg 9(c)). Approval is discretionary in the Secretary's reasonable opinion (reg 9(b)).
Accredited testing organisations. Analyses must be performed by organisations holding NATA accreditation for the characteristics in a supplier's water sampling program (reg 5 definition; reg 19). This creates demand for NATA-accredited testing services and constrains testing to accredited providers.
The Secretary (public regulator). The Secretary gains duties and powers: approving auditors (reg 9), receiving notices and reports (regs 10, 20), issuing directions about water sampling areas (reg 13), making and publishing sampling frequency determinations (reg 18), and exercising opinion-based decisions that affect suppliers and auditors.

Indirectly affected parties

Consumers and the public. The Regulations indirectly affect consumers through stricter sampling, monitoring and reporting which aim to protect health and aesthetic quality (reg 1). Public communication processes for emergencies are required in risk management plans (reg 6(1)(e)(ii)) and annual reports must include complaint summaries (reg 21(m)).
Laboratories and third-party consultants. The requirement for NATA accreditation and the detailed content of risk management plans will influence the services demanded from laboratories, audit firms and consultants, particularly for microbiological risk quantification, source water categorisation and treatment design documentation (reg 6(2)-(4), reg 19).

Temporal distribution of burden

Staged compliance dates. Obligations are phased: many risk management plan governance items apply from 6 October 2025 (reg 6(1)(a), (l), (o)-(q)), microbial hazard quantification and related requirements apply for the period 6 July 2025 to 5 July 2026 and from 6 July 2026 additional treatment and source water category duties apply (reg 6(2)-(4)), and a set of aesthetic standards and corresponding reporting obligations commence on and from 6 January 2027 (reg 6(5)(d), reg 16(1)(c), reg 20(3)). Entities must track these dates and phase in compliance.

Who funds compliance

Water suppliers and water storage managers bear the direct compliance costs: preparing amended risk management plans, commissioning audits by approved auditors, contracting NATA-accredited testing organisations, conducting increased sampling, maintaining records and producing detailed annual reports (reg 6, reg 7, reg 14, reg 19, reg 21-22). The Regulations do not provide funding mechanisms; the Act or other government programs would determine whether financial assistance is available, but the Regulations themselves specify obligations and timing.

Geographical and operational scope

The Regulations apply to water supplied as drinking water to the public by water suppliers and to water supplied by storage managers to water suppliers (reg 14, reg 15). The definition of water sampling area and the Secretary’s power to require specification or variation of sampling areas (reg 11, reg 12, reg 13) mean the spatial boundaries of regulatory monitoring are set by suppliers with oversight from the Secretary.

This section summarises the operative obligations and entitlements created by the Regulations and indicates the decision points allocated to regulated parties and the Secretary.

Duties of water agencies (suppliers and storage managers)

Risk management plan content. A risk management plan must contain the matters listed in reg 6(1). Key items include: a water agency policy for managing drinking water quality (on and from 6 Oct 2025) (reg 6(1)(a)); positions responsible for water quality risk management (reg 6(1)(c)); emergency management arrangements (reg 6(1)(e)); critical control points and critical limits (reg 6(1)(n)); processes for inspecting and maintaining assets (on and from 6 Oct 2025) (reg 6(1)(l)); an improvement plan (on and from 6 Oct 2025) (reg 6(1)(p)); and processes for short- and long-term review of data (on and from 6 Oct 2025) (reg 6(1)(q)).
Treatment and microbial hazard obligations. If a water agency operates treatment applied to untreated water, the plan must, for the period 6 July 2025 to 5 July 2026, include details of the methodology used to quantify microbial hazards entering and removed by the treatment process (reg 6(2)). From 6 July 2026, agencies must document source water category determination procedures and treatment design and monitoring to meet the microbial health outcome target and treatment targets (reg 6(3)-(4)).
Water sampling areas and programs. Water suppliers must specify water sampling areas for their risk management plan (reg 11(1)). New areas (or variations) require suppliers to consider source, treatment, and distribution systems when setting boundaries (reg 11(3), reg 12(2)). Suppliers must notify the Secretary within 10 days when specifying or varying an area and update their risk management plan (reg 11(4), reg 12(3)). Suppliers must develop water sampling programs specifying locations and frequencies, including minimum frequencies for E. coli (at least weekly), turbidity (at least weekly), pH (at least monthly), and total trihalomethanes (at least monthly) (reg 14(2)(b)(i)-(iv)). Water storage managers must similarly develop sampling programs for samples supplied to water suppliers (reg 15).
Sampling and analysis. Water suppliers must ensure samples are collected at least as often as the program specifies or as specified by a Secretary determination (reg 17; penalty 20 penalty units). All samples must be analysed by a NATA-accredited testing organisation for the characteristics specified and at the testing frequency specified in the program (reg 19; penalty 20 penalty units).
Notifications to the Secretary. Notification obligations include reportable log reduction shortfalls (notify within 10 days after becoming aware) (reg 10(1)-(2)), analysis results indicating contraventions or reasonable health risk (give written summary within 10 days) (reg 20(1)-(2); penalty 20 units), and quarterly summaries from 6 Jan 2027 on certain aesthetic exceedances (reg 20(3)-(4); penalty 20 units). Suppliers must include specified information in annual reports (reg 21).
Record and documentary duties in audits. For audits, the specified documents the auditor may require include the risk management plan, documents referred to in the plan, and any records evidencing implementation (reg 7).

Duties of the Secretary (regulatory decision-making)

Auditor approval. The Secretary approves risk management plan auditors based on accreditation or demonstrable experience, a suitability assessment in the Secretary’s reasonable opinion, and a conflict-of-interest declaration (reg 9).
Directions about sampling areas. If the Secretary believes sampling areas do not represent the drinking water supplied, the Secretary may direct suppliers to vary or specify water sampling areas; such directions must be in writing and describe how boundaries are to be determined; suppliers must comply (reg 13(1)-(4)).
Determination of sampling frequency. The Secretary may determine a sampling frequency for a sample characteristic, on application or on own initiative. Determinations must specify the supplier, sampling area, characteristic, frequency and period and must be published in the Gazette (reg 18(1)-(5)).
Receiving notifications and summaries. The Secretary is the recipient of shortfall notifications (reg 10), analysis summaries (reg 20), and audit certificates (Schedule 1 pursuant to s 12(2) of the Act).

Enforcement and compliance instruments

Penalties. Several offences carry prescribed penalties: sampling frequency non-compliance (reg 17) is 20 penalty units; failing to use accredited testing (reg 19) 20 penalty units; failing to give analysis summaries where required (reg 20(1)-(2)) 20 penalty units; quarterly reporting failures from 6 Jan 2027 (reg 20(3)-(4)) 20 penalty units.
Infringement notices. Schedule 3 prescribes certain offences under the Act and Regulations as infringement offences with set penalty units (Schedule 3). Items include offences under various sections of the Act (e.g., s 12(3), s 14, s 15, s 37(1), s 49) and specific regulations (reg 17, reg 19, reg 20(1), (2), (3), (4)) with prescribed infringement penalties in penalty units (Schedule 3).
Directions and compulsion. The Secretary’s direction to vary or specify sampling areas is mandatory (reg 13(4)). The Rules require entities to comply with written directions.

Rights and procedural points for regulated parties

Right to approval decisions to be based on criteria. Auditor approval criteria are set out in reg 9; an applicant auditor must meet those criteria and provide a written declaration of no conflict (reg 9(a)-(c)). The Secretary retains a "reasonable opinion" standard for suitability (reg 9(b)).
Publication and transparency. Determinations under reg 18 must be published in the Government Gazette (reg 18(5)). Audit certificates follow a specified form (Schedule 1), which promotes consistency in what is reported to the Secretary.
Timing and notice obligations are strict. Multiple provisions impose 10‑day time limits for notifications (reg 10(1), reg 11(4), reg 12(3), reg 20(1)). Annual reporting content is prescribed (regs 21-22) and quarterly reporting periods are defined (reg 20(5)).

Collectively, the Regulations allocate day-to-day compliance responsibilities to water suppliers and storage managers, and grant operational discretionary powers to the Secretary over auditor approvals, sampling frequencies and area definitions. Several duties are strict and time-bound, with defined civil penalties and infringement options.

The Regulations create a mix of penalty units for specified contraventions, enable infringement notices for certain offences, and provide the Secretary with administrative powers (directions, approvals, determinations) that are enforceable. Key enforcement features are outlined below, with primary references.

Penalty amounts and calculation

Specific penalties within the Regulations. Regulations 17, 19 and 20 specify individual offences that attract a penalty of 20 penalty units each (reg 17; reg 19; reg 20(1)-(2), reg 20(3)-(4)). The Regulations do not state dollar amounts; the Endnotes explain the penalty unit value under the Monetary Units Act 2004, and the value for 2025-26 is $203.51, so a 20‑unit penalty would equate to $4,070.20 in that financial year (Endnotes, Penalty Units note). Future years’ values are set by the Treasurer under the Monetary Units Act 2004.
Infringement offences and penalties. Schedule 3 prescribes specific offences as infringement offences for the purposes of s 47A of the Act and sets infringement penalties in penalty units (Schedule 3 Table). Examples include: an offence against section 12(3) of the Act (10 penalty units), an offence against section 14 of the Act (10 units), offences against various Regulations including reg 17 (4 units), reg 19 (4 units), and reg 20(1)-(4) (each 4 units). The Schedule therefore maps some contraventions to the infringement-notice system and specifies the modest penalty units for those summary disposals.

Enforcement instruments and discretion

Directions. The Secretary may issue written directions to water suppliers to vary or create water sampling areas where the Secretary believes sampling does not represent supplied drinking water (reg 13(1)-(3)), and suppliers must comply (reg 13(4)). This is an administrative compliance lever that bypasses court processes.
Auditor approval and audit certificate. The Secretary’s approval is required for auditors (reg 9). Auditors must issue certificates in the form set out in Schedule 1 (reg 8 and Schedule 1), which the Secretary will receive. Audits are evidence-generating and can produce findings that may lead to regulatory action (reg 7, Schedule 1).
Reporting and notification obligations as triggers. The Act and Regulations build a network of notices that trigger regulatory oversight: suppliers must notify the Secretary about reportable log reduction shortfalls within 10 days (reg 10(1)), and provide written summaries of analysis results indicating contraventions or risk within 10 days (reg 20(1)). From 6 January 2027 suppliers must provide quarterly summaries of aesthetic exceedances (reg 20(3)). Failure to provide required notices can attract penalties or be treated as infringement offences.

Interaction with the Act’s enforcement regime

The Regulations operate within the Act’s enforcement architecture. Schedule 3 explicitly makes certain Act provisions subject to infringement notices (Schedule 3(1)). Penalty units in the Regulations are calculated under the Monetary Units Act as explained in the Endnotes. The Act’s other enforcement tools (e.g. undertakings under s 30, exemptions under s 8, other regulatory directions) are referenced in reporting requirements (regs 21-22) but the Regulations do not create new criminal offences; they create civil penalty and infringement mechanisms and offences with monetary penalties.

Practical enforcement considerations

Multiple enforcement paths. The regulator can choose administrative directions (reg 13), seek compliance via audit findings (reg 7, Schedule 1), accept undertakings (referenced in regs 21-22), issue infringement notices for specified contraventions (Schedule 3), and impose civil penalties set out in the Act where appropriate. The instrument centralises reporting to the Secretary, enabling early detection through required notifications.
Financial magnitude. The penalty quantum is linked to the penalty unit value; the Endnotes state the 2025-26 value of $203.51. That provides a near-term measure of financial exposure for regulated entities for breaches attracting 20 penalty units, and a much smaller exposure for infringement penalties (often 4 or 10 units under Schedule 3).
Procedural tightness and timing. Several obligations require action within short statutory timeframes (10 days for notifications under regs 10, 11(4), 12(3), 20(1); quarterly reporting defined in reg 20(5)). Administrative non-compliance may be relatively easy to detect and therefore enforce.
Evidence and documentation. The audit and notification requirements focus enforcement on documented processes and objective data: sampling frequency, accredited analysis results, audit certificates and water sampling area maps. That structure directs enforcement toward documentary and technical evidence rather than discretionary or subjective assessment alone.

Collectively, the Regulations create a compliance environment where procedural lapses (late notifications, failure to sample or to use accredited testing, failure to report) attract civil penalties and infringement options, and where the Secretary has tools to compel corrective action administratively. The Regulations emphasise monitoring, documentation and early notification as the principal enforcement levers.

The Regulations are explicitly situated within a broader statutory and technical regime. The instrument cross‑references, incorporates and depends on other legal and technical material.

Primary legislative anchor

Safe Drinking Water Act 2003. These Regulations are made under s 56 of the Act (reg 2). Numerous provisions are framed as specifying matters "for the purposes of" particular sections of the Act: for example, reg 6 supplies content for risk management plans under s 9(1)(e) of the Act, reg 7 specifies documents for audits under s 10(2), reg 8 provides the form of the audit certificate under s 12(2), reg 9 sets auditor approval criteria under s 13(2), and reg 16 specifies drinking water quality standards for s 17(1) of the Act. The Regulations therefore operationalise duties created by the Act by prescribing technical, documentary and process requirements.

Incorporation of technical guidance and standards

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). The Regulations define "Australian Drinking Water Guidelines" and adopt them by reference (reg 5). The Endnotes expressly list the ADWG 6 (2011) as updated to December 2024 and incorporated in full. Numerous provisions depend on the ADWG for technical thresholds and procedures: the microbial health outcome target (reg 5 Note), source water categories and treatment targets referenced in reg 5 definitions and reg 6(2)-(4), and ADWG Tables referenced for health guideline values (reg 16(2)(b) referring to Table 10.6). The Regulations therefore bind regulated entities to a dynamic, externally authored technical standard as in force "from time to time" (reg 5).
NATA accreditation. The Regulations require analyses be undertaken by organisations holding NATA accreditation for potable water testing (reg 5 definition of accredited testing organisation; reg 19). That incorporates accreditation law and standards into the compliance chain.

Other statutory instruments and obligations

Emergency Management Act 2013. The terms "emergency" and "emergency management" are defined by reference to that Act (reg 5), making emergency response arrangements in risk management plans interoperable with the emergency management regime.
Subordinate Legislation Act 1994. The Endnotes state the Regulations will sunset in 10 years per s 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994 (Endnote 1), so the instrument’s life is limited and subject to statutory review processes applicable to subordinate legislation.
Monetary Units Act 2004 and Sentencing Act 1991. Penalty amounts are expressed in penalty units; the Endnotes explain calculation under the Monetary Units Act and that penalty units are within the Sentencing Act definition (Endnotes). The value for the 2025-26 year is specified ($203.51).

Administrative law and discretion

Secretary’s discretion. Several operative powers confer evaluative discretion on the Secretary , approving auditors on the basis of "reasonable opinion" (reg 9(b)), issuing directions where the Secretary "believes" sampling areas do not represent water supplied (reg 13(1)), and making determinations on sampling frequency having regard to a range of factors (reg 18(3)). These are administrative decisions that would be susceptible to judicial review on common law grounds (procedural fairness, reasonableness) should a dispute arise, but the Regulations themselves set out the statutory criteria and procedural form (e.g., Gazette publication of determinations, reg 18(5)).

Relation to the Act’s exemption and variation powers

Variations and exemptions under the Act. The Regulations require reporting where variations of aesthetic standards or exemptions are granted under sections 19 and 20 of the Act , for example, reg 21(k) and reg 21(l) require that the annual report include summaries of any such variations or exemptions and any conditions imposed under s 21 of the Act. The Regulations therefore operate in tandem with the Act’s specific powers to vary standards or grant exemptions, and make such decisions a matter for public reporting and record.

Interoperability risks and implementation dependencies

Reliance on external technical standards introduces a dependency on the ADWG updates. The Regulations reference Table 10.6 and Tables 5.4-5.5 of the ADWG for health guideline values, source water categories and treatment targets (reg 5, reg 16(2)(b), reg 6(3)-(4)). When the ADWG is updated, regulated entities must track those changes because the Regulations adopt the ADWG "as in force from time to time" (reg 5). The Endnotes set out the specific ADWG version incorporated at commencement.

In sum, the Regulations do not operate in isolation. They are an implementing instrument under the Act, tightly coupled to the ADWG, NATA accreditation standards and other statutes that set out penalty units, emergency definitions, and sunset review. The Secretary’s administrative powers create points of interaction with administrative law principles and require regulated parties to be responsive to determinations, approvals and directions under different statutory regimes.

This statutory rule is the first version of the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025 as presented in the instrument (Version No. 001). The instrument itself contains explicit amendment and revocation material and an endnote table about amendments.

Key points from the instrument about amendment and revocation

Revocation of prior regulations. Regulation 4 revokes the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 (S.R. No. 88/2015). The Endnotes record that S.R. No. 60/2025 was made on 24 June 2025 and came into operation on 6 July 2025 (Endnote 1). This is the express replacement of the 2015 subordinate instrument with the 2025 Regulations.
No subsequent amendments recorded. The instrument’s Endnote 2, Table of Amendments, states: "There are no amendments made to the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts." That confirms that, as at the version date (6 July 2025), there have been no post‑making amendments to S.R. No. 60/2025.
Sunset provision for subordinate legislation. The Endnotes note the Regulations will sunset 10 years after the day of making (24 June 2035) pursuant to s 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994. That is a statutory expiry rather than an amendment per se (Endnote 1).

Documented incorporations and applied matter

Incorporated technical guidance. The Endnotes and reg 5 include a table of applied, adopted or incorporated matter. The ADWG 6 (2011), as updated in December 2024, is explicitly listed as "the whole" for the definition and technical references. This is important for amendment sensitivity: since the ADWG is incorporated "as in force from time to time" (reg 5), updates to that external document will have a de facto effect on obligations in the Regulations unless and until the Regulations are themselves amended.

Mechanics for future amendment

Statutory rule process. The Regulations are a statutory rule made by Governor in Council under s 56 of the Act (reg 2 and Endnote 1). Future changes to these Regulations would require the same subordinate legislation process (statutory rule) and would be subject to requirements of the Subordinate Legislation Act (e.g., registration, Gazette notices, possible sunset review). The Endnotes reference Interpretation of Legislation Act provisions, and the Table of Applied Matter was included as required by the Subordinate Legislation Regulations 2024.

Practical implications of the amendment history

Transitional clarity. The revocation of the 2015 Regulations and the inclusion of transitional preservation for previously specified water sampling localities (reg 11(2)) clarifies that previously defined sampling localities under the 2015 instrument continue as water sampling areas under the 2025 Regulations unless varied. That reduces immediate administrative transition costs for suppliers who had previously specified sampling localities under the revoked instrument.
Future technical evolution. The incorporation of the ADWG "as in force from time to time" means the Regulations’ substantive technical content can evolve without formal amendment to the Regulations, by virtue of ADWG updates. That creates a practical amendment vector that is external to the statutory rule process, and a regulator will need to monitor ADWG revisions. Conversely, statutory amendments to these Regulations remain possible but have not yet occurred.

In short, the 2025 Regulations are new, replace the 2015 Regulations, have no recorded amendments as at 6 July 2025, and are designed to operate for up to 10 years unless earlier amended or replaced. The technical content is partly delegated to the ADWG which can change the practical requirements without further subordinate instrumentation.

The instrument provided contains no recorded litigation history. There are no cases cited, no tribunal or court decisions recorded in the text, and the Endnotes do not report any judicial review or litigation concerning S.R. No. 60/2025. The Table of Amendments notes no amendments and makes no reference to litigation. Therefore, as at the version date (6 July 2025) this statutory rule does not include within its text any history of contested cases or judicial interpretation.

Points of legal vulnerability and likely loci for disputes (textual basis)

Although no litigation history is recorded in the instrument, the structure of the Regulations identifies a number of discrete regulatory decisions and legal questions that are likely candidates for legal challenge if disputes arise. Listing these is not reporting litigation history, but describing the legal nodes in the instrument that could generate litigation based on the text itself:

Discretionary decisions by the Secretary. The Regulations reserve evaluative judgments to the Secretary in multiple places. For example, auditor suitability depends on the Secretary’s "reasonable opinion" (reg 9(b)); the Secretary may direct water suppliers to vary or specify water sampling areas where the Secretary "believes" samples do not represent supplied drinking water (reg 13(1)); and the Secretary may make determinations on sampling frequency on the Secretary’s own initiative with regard to various factors (reg 18(1)-(3)). Administrative law litigation could centre on whether decisions met statutory criteria, were made reasonably, or complied with principles of procedural fairness , the text creates those decision points by delegating evaluative discretion.
Interpretation of technical standards adopted by reference. The Regulations incorporate the ADWG and refer to ADWG tables for treatment targets and health guideline values (reg 5, reg 16(2)(b), reg 6(3)-(4)). Litigation could arise over the application or interpretation of those external standards in administrative decisions (for instance, whether a supplier’s treatment meets an ADWG treatment target), but the instrument itself embeds the ADWG as the technical benchmark.
Compliance and evidence disputes arising from audits and sample analyses. The Regulations require NATA-accredited testing and audited risk management plans with specified documentary evidence (reg 19, reg 7, Schedule 1). Disputes may arise over whether a particular testing organisation or audit meets the regulatory criteria. The text specifies documentary requirements (reg 7 and Schedule 1), which would inform any judicial review or appeal concerning sufficiency of evidence.
Timeliness of notifications and the consequences of procedural lapses. The Regulations create tight timeframes (10 days for various notifications in regs 10, 11, 12, 20). Litigation could arise over whether an entity complied with those timelines and what remedies or enforcement actions are permissible for late reporting. The Regulations state the penalty consequences, thereby identifying the statutory assessment of breach, but disputed facts about timing and knowledge (e.g., "becomes aware") could be litigated.

What the absence of cases in the instrument means for practice

Fresh regulatory territory. The absence of litigation to date implies that these are new obligations with limited precedential interpretation. Practitioners should expect regulatory guidance and administrative decisions to be the primary source of interpretive detail in the first years after commencement, and should prepare for legal challenges to shape the law’s practical boundaries.
Importance of administrative record-keeping. Given the statutory emphasis on documentary proof (audits, accredited analyses, maps, notifications), litigated disputes will likely turn on records. The Regulations themselves set the evidentiary frame (reg 7, Schedule 1), and practitioners should ensure records are robust.

In summary, the Regulations do not contain a litigation history. The text, however, establishes multiple administrative decision points and documentary requirements that are natural focal points for future disputes; those are evident from the provisions cited above and are the likely subjects of any future litigation.

This section identifies concrete operational and legal pitfalls in the Regulations as written. Each item is tied to specific provisions in the instrument and explains the mechanism of risk.

Multiple overlapping short deadlines

Several obligations impose 10‑day deadlines beginning on different triggering events: notifying the Secretary of a new water sampling area (reg 11(4)), notifying of boundary variations (reg 12(3)), notifying of reportable log reduction shortfalls within 10 days after becoming aware (reg 10(1)), and submitting written summaries to the Secretary within 10 days after receiving analysis results indicating contravention or risk (reg 20(1)). These multiple parallel short deadlines increase the risk of missed notices and consequent penalties. "Becomes aware" (reg 10(1)) is an objective trigger that could be interpreted as a constructive knowledge standard; that may require internal detection and reporting systems to avoid inadvertent breach.

Staged obligations create phased compliance obligations

Obligations phased to different commencement dates require active compliance scheduling. Key staged dates: many governance items from 6 Oct 2025 (reg 6(1)(a), (l), (o)-(q)); microbial hazard methodology for the period 6 Jul 2025-5 Jul 2026 (reg 6(2)); source water categorisation and treatment design obligations from 6 Jul 2026 (reg 6(3)-(4)); and certain aesthetic standards and quarterly reporting triggers from 6 Jan 2027 (reg 6(5)(d), reg 16(1)(c), reg 20(3)). Entities must not assume a single compliance date.

Incorporation of ADWG "as in force from time to time"

The Regulations incorporate the ADWG and reference specific ADWG Tables for treatment targets and health guideline values (reg 5; reg 16(2)(b)). Because the ADWG is dynamic ("as in force from time to time"), technical obligations may change without an amendment to the Regulations. Entities must monitor ADWG updates continuously. The Endnotes list the ADWG version current at commencement (ADWG 6 2011 updated Dec 2024), but the definition is dynamic (reg 5).

Secretary’s evaluative discretions

Several powers depend on the Secretary's opinion or belief: auditor suitability "in the reasonable opinion of the Secretary" (reg 9(b)); directing sampling area changes when the Secretary "believes" samples do not represent water supplied (reg 13(1)); the Secretary may determine sampling frequency "having regard to" several factors (reg 18(3)). These are legitimate administrative discretion points but create legal uncertainty for regulated entities about how the Secretary will exercise them.

Confusion between aesthetic standards and reporting thresholds

The aesthetic turbidity standard is set as a 95th percentile not exceeding 5 NTU over a 12‑month period (reg 16(3)). However, reg 20(3)(b) requires a written summary within 30 days after the end of each reporting period (quarterly) where turbidity "exceeds 5 nephelometric turbidity units". The first is a 12-month percentile standard; the second is a hard trigger for quarterly reporting. Entities must treat the 5 NTU level as both a long-run compliance metric and a near-term reporting threshold; the relationship is technical and must be operationalised in sampling and reporting protocols.

Numerical thresholds with different operators

The dissolved oxygen aesthetic standard is expressed as "the average amount ... is more than 85 per cent" (reg 16(4)(b)), but reporting under reg 20(3)(c) triggers if "the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water is 85 per cent or less". The inequality flip must be handled precisely in operational monitoring and in drafting reports to the Secretary to avoid misreporting.

Dependence on accredited testing capacity

The Regulations require analyses to be performed by NATA-accredited testing organisations for the characteristics specified in a supplier's program (reg 5 and reg 19). Smaller suppliers may face supply-side constraints: accreditation limits who can provide tests, and increased sampling frequencies (e.g., weekly E. coli and turbidity tests per reg 14(2)(b)) may stress lab capacity, potentially increasing costs or turnaround times. The Regulations do not provide transitional relief where accreditation capacity is limited.

Audit approval subject to Secretary's reasonable opinion and conflict rules

Audit approval requires either an accreditation the Secretary regards as suitable or demonstration to the Secretary of necessary experience and skills, and a written declaration of no conflict (reg 9(a)-(c)). The approval depends on the Secretary’s reasonable opinion (reg 9(b)) and the conflict declaration is self‑attested. Auditors and water agencies should document approval interactions carefully to avoid future challenges about auditor independence or approval status.

Form-focused audit certificate with limited granularity

Schedule 1 prescribes the form of the audit certificate. The certificate is binary ("has/has not complied with the obligations imposed by s 7(1)/s 8(1) of the Act") with free-text fields for reasons for non-compliance. The prescribed form channels auditors into a particular reporting format which may be less granular than auditors or suppliers would prefer for complex compliance matters; parties should use attachments and ensure the schedule's free-text fields are fully populated.

Infringement schedule picks up Act offences without their text

Schedule 3 prescribes infringement offences by reference to sections of the Act (e.g., s 12(3), s 14, s 15) but does not reproduce their substance. Practitioners must consult the Act to understand the conduct captured by those infringement options; failing to do so risks misinterpreting the exposure created by Schedule 3.

In short, the Regulations combine precise technical triggers with administrative discretion and tight timelines. Key operational risks arise from deadline management, dependence on external standards and NATA capacity, and the Secretary's evaluative powers. Entities should map obligations to internal processes, document decision-making and approvals, and build sampling and lab capacity plans to avoid the pitfalls above.

This section gives a practical, source-grounded compliance checklist tied to the Regulations’ provisions and timelines. It focuses on actions water suppliers and water storage managers should take to meet the statutory requirements set out in regs 6-22, and on governance steps for the Secretary’s interactions.

Audit and risk management plan update schedule

Immediately (by or soon after commencement: 6 July 2025) review existing risk management plans against the itemised requirements in reg 6(1). Particular action items to incorporate (or confirm) include: policy for managing drinking water quality (from 6 Oct 2025) and how commitment is endorsed and communicated (reg 6(1)(a)); positions responsible for managing water quality risks (reg 6(1)(c)); consultation procedures with other water agencies (reg 6(1)(d)); emergency management arrangements and public communication methods (reg 6(1)(e)); critical control point identification and critical limits with procedures for reaching limits (reg 6(1)(n)); and infrastructure inspection and maintenance processes (reg 6(1)(l)).
Insert an improvement plan and processes for short- and long-term data review required on and from 6 Oct 2025 (reg 6(1)(p)-(q)).

Staged technical requirements

For entities operating drinking water treatment to untreated water, document microbial hazard quantification methodology for the period 6 Jul 2025-5 Jul 2026 (reg 6(2)). That includes documenting the extent of pathogenic microorganisms entering the treatment process and the extent to which the treatment removes or reduces them (reg 6(2)(a)-(b)).
From 6 Jul 2026, implement procedures for source water category determination and review consistent with ADWG Section 5.4.3 and procedures for designing treatment to meet microbial health outcome targets and treatment targets (reg 6(3)-(4)). Map ADWG Tables 5.4 and 5.5 into operational protocols.

Water sampling areas and program design

Review and, if necessary, specify water sampling areas in the risk management plan (reg 11(1)). If relying on pre-existing sampling localities (from the 2015 Regulations), confirm and document their status (reg 11(2)).
When specifying a new sampling area, ensure the boundaries are determined with reference to source(s), treatment processes and distribution systems (reg 11(3)). Prepare a clearly marked map and all information reasonably available to identify boundaries. Notify the Secretary in writing within 10 days and update the risk management plan (reg 11(4)(a)-(b)).
If varying sampling area boundaries, follow the same three-step consideration process and notify the Secretary within 10 days (reg 12(2)-(3)).
Prepare to respond to Secretary directions about sampling areas (reg 13); have plans to vary boundaries or specify new areas and evidence records of how boundaries were determined to comply promptly with written directions (reg 13(3)).

Sampling frequency, locations and NATA-accredited testing

Build a water sampling program that designates sampling locations representing the water supplied from each water sampling area and ensure sampling numbers will represent, so far as practicable, the water supply during the period (reg 14(3)-(4)).
Implement the minimum mandatory sampling frequencies: E. coli at least once per week; total trihalomethanes at least once per month; pH at least once per month; turbidity at least once per week (reg 14(2)(b)(i)-(iv)). Ensure the program also lists all characteristics to be tested and the testing frequencies (reg 14(2)(c)-(d)).
Contract with NATA-accredited testing organisations for all analyses specified in the sampling program (reg 19). Maintain copies of NATA accreditation certificates and ensure contract terms require timely delivery of results.
Monitor the Secretary for any determinations under reg 18. If applying for a determination to adjust sampling frequency, prepare an application that addresses the Secretary’s statutory considerations (reg 18(2)-(3)): population served, variance over time, representativeness of samples, treatment chemicals, and other relevant matters. If the Secretary issues a determination, expect Gazette publication (reg 18(5)).

Analysis results, notifications and quarterly reporting

Implement internal procedures to ensure the Secretary receives required written summaries within 10 days where a sample characteristic contravenes a drinking water quality standard or in the reasonable opinion of the supplier may pose a public health risk or lead to widespread complaint (reg 20(1)-(2)). Summaries must include measurements, previous measurements, related results and actions taken or proposed (reg 20(2)(a)-(d)).
From 6 January 2027, implement quarterly reporting processes to provide a written summary within 30 days after the end of each reporting period if pH is outside 6.5-9.2, turbidity exceeds 5 NTU, dissolved oxygen is 85 per cent or less, or any Schedule 2 characteristic exceeds its aesthetic guideline value (reg 20(3)-(4)). Ensure the quarterly schedule maps neatly to the reporting periods defined in reg 20(5).

Record-keeping for audits and annual reporting

Assemble and maintain the documents required for risk management plan audits: the risk management plan, any documents referred to in the plan or containing related material, and any documents evidencing implementation of the plan (reg 7). Maintain an audit-ready file of maps, sampling records, laboratory certificates, infrastructure inspection logs, training records and improvement plans.
Prepare to receive an audit certificate in the form of Schedule 1 (reg 8 and Schedule 1). If an audit finds non-compliance, ensure there is a clear record of corrective actions and attach details to the audit certificate where required by Schedule 1.
Ensure annual reports include the detailed contents prescribed for suppliers and storage managers (regs 21-22). For suppliers, items include new sampling areas and variations, emergency incidents affecting water quality, summaries of audits and audit issues, lists of chemicals used in treatment, compliance details with drinking water quality standards, compliance with reg 17 sampling obligations and details of any variations or exemptions approved under the Act (reg 21).

Treatment design, monitoring and notification of shortfalls

For treatment systems, document how treatment is designed, monitored and recorded to meet treatment targets and the microbial health outcome target (reg 6(4)(a)-(c)). Implement processes for recording effectiveness and for implementing improvements if targets are not met (reg 6(4)(d)).
If you become aware that a treatment process has produced or will produce a reportable log reduction shortfall for the source water category, notify the Secretary in writing within 10 days and provide details of the operation and planned or taken actions (reg 10(1)-(2)).

Governance, competency and training

Include in the risk management plan the required competency and training of persons responsible for monitoring and managing water quality risks (reg 6(1)(i)), and adopt relevant policies, standards and guidelines (reg 6(1)(j)).
Document positions responsible for emergency management and their communication methods (reg 6(1)(e)). Maintain up-to-date training records to demonstrate compliance during audits.

Compliance with aesthetic and health standards

Map monitoring results explicitly to the health-based standards (no E. coli; compliance with ADWG Table 10.6 health guideline values; other characteristics not listed in ADWG must be shown to be below levels that would pose a risk to health) (reg 16(2)). For aesthetic standards, track the 95th percentile turbidity requirement over rolling 12-month windows (reg 16(3)) and from 6 Jan 2027 track pH average and dissolved oxygen averaged thresholds and Schedule 2 characteristic averages (reg 16(4), Schedule 2).

Enforcement and procedural readiness

Maintain a compliance register and internal audit schedule to ensure the Secretary’s directions (reg 13), determinations (reg 18), and audit outcomes (reg 7, Schedule 1) can be complied with within statutory timeframes.
Prepare to respond to infringement notices and to calculate exposure in monetary terms using the current dividend value for penalty units as published under the Monetary Units Act (Endnotes). Factor potential fines into risk registers and insurance/financial planning.

Record of approvals and conflicts

If engaging an external auditor, confirm auditor approval status with the Secretary and keep written evidence of approval and the auditor’s conflict-of-interest declaration (reg 9(c)). Likewise, retain evidence of NATA accreditation for testing organisations.

Liaison with other agencies and contractors

Coordinate with water storage managers, laboratories, auditors and the Secretary to ensure sampling locations and frequencies are mutually consistent and that responsibility chains for notifications and audits are clear (reg 6(1)(d), reg 14, reg 15).

This checklist maps tightly to the Regulations. Compliance requires both technical processes (sampling, accreditation, treatment verification) and administrative controls (timely notifications, record maintenance, audit readiness, documented justification for water sampling area boundaries). Entities should prioritise the short 10‑day notification obligations and the staged technical obligations (2025-2027) in their implementation plans.

Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Current sections

Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

Source text: opening excerpt

1 Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2025

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply