Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

The ADWG has been subjected to a rolling-revision process that ensures the Guidelines represent the latest scientific evidence in relation to good quality drinking water. From time-to-time, as sections of the Guidelines are reviewed, this site will be updated to provide the latest information.

Summary download document information:

Published year: 2004
Available in print:Yes
Status: Current

Reference No: EH19
Further information: nhmrc.publications@nhmrc.gov.au

Synopsis of publication:

The 2004 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) have been developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in collaboration with the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC). The ADWG incorporates the "Framework for the Management of Drinking Water Quality" and provides the Australian community and the water supply industry with guidance on what constitutes good quality drinking water.

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines have recently been updated with the revision of Chapter 8: Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals, and the associated 34 fact sheets. The complete Guidelines are provided in a newly bookmarked version.

The 2004 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines may be downloaded as multiple PDF files, or as one large file.

Download complete publication:

» Download: Complete Document - Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (PDF, 3199kb)

Download publication in sections:

» Download: Chapter 1 (PDF, 293kb)

» Download: Chapter 2 (PDF, 163kb)

» Download: Chapter 3 (PDF, 251kb)

» Download: Chapter 4 (PDF, 138kb)

» Download: Chapter 5 (PDF, 156kb)

» Download: Chapter 6 (PDF, 148kb)

» Download: Chapter 7 (PDF, 146kb)

» Download: Chapter 8 (PDF, 202kb)

» Download: Chapter 9 (PDF, 161kb)

» Download: Chapter 10 (PDF, 235kb)

» Download: Information Sheets (PDF, 219kb)

» Download: Fact Sheets (PDF, 1.1mb)

» Download: Appendix (PDF, 301kb)

» Download: Glossary (PDF, 164kb)

Supporting Documents:

Outcomes of the WHO/NHMRC International meeting on management of small community drinking water quality Alice Springs in July 2005.
International meeting on the Management of Water Quality in Rural and Remote Communities (PDF, 122kb)

The Community Water Planner is an electronic decision support tool to assist managers of small community drinking water supplies to generate management plans individually tailored to their local community.
» Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Community Water Planner - A tool for small communities to develop drinking water management plans

This booklet looks at why drinking water is important, the journey water makes to our taps, the systems to ensure good water quality and how everyone can help safeguard our drinking water.
» Download: Water Made Clear - A consumer's guide to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (PDF, 1116kb)

This paper describes the concept of indicator microorganisms and details the rationale behind their use. Current indicators are reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages discussed and alternative indicators are evaluated.
» Download: Review of coliforms as microbial indicators of drinking water quality (PDF, 381kb)

Australia does not have national processes for the regulation, control and use of chemicals used to treat drinking water. In order to initiate a national approach, NHMRC has commissioned a report to describe and compare the policies and procedures used by various national and international organisation and regulatory agencies to evaluate and approve chemicals for use in the treatment of drinking water.
» Download: Overview of National and International Guidelines and Recommendations on the Assessment and Approval of Chemicals Used in the Treatment of Drinking Water (PDF, 428kb)

This review is intended to provide guidance in the selection of appropriate methods for measuring cyanotoxins to assist water supply authorities and health authorities in interpretation and application of new cyanotoxin drinking water guidelines.
» Download: Evaluation of Analytical Methods for Detection and Quantification of Cyanotoxins (PDF, 764kb)

The NHMRC has examined a wide range of chemicals for treating water in Australia and has recommended those listed for use. To be acceptable, a chemical must have practical application (e.g. must clarify dirty water or removing harmful organisms) and none must be toxic when ingested in small doses in drinking water. This document is currently under review.
» Download: Chemicals used for treatment of drinking water supplies (PDF, 14kb)

Rescinded Publications:

Rescinded Dec 2004 » Download: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (1996) (PDF, 1.65MB)

Rescinded Apr 2003 » Download: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - Summary (1996) (PDF, 212kb)

Useful Websites

Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment - www.waterquality.crc.org.au
Water Services Association of Australia - www.wsaa.asn.au
World Health Organization - www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/en

NOTE: Hardcopies of the ADWG are available through the Australian Water Association. To order, please email your request to bookshop@awa.asn.au

Email Notification of Changes to the ADWG To receive email notification of future changes to the ADWG and supporting documents, join our mailing list nhc@nhmrc.gov.au with the subject ADWG Change.

To find other publications use the subject list or the search

See related information on:

» Request an NHMRC publication available in print

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