Is my water safe to drink?
Get the lowdown on the quality of your water and how to make it safer to drink.
It depends where your property is located. Some trunk main customers, mostly those between Tantawangalo, Candelo, and Wolumla, connect to the trunk main that takes water straight from the creek to the nearest treatment plant. This means water for these customers is untreated. Drinking this water is the same as drinking straight from the creek.
Properties connected to a trunk main water supply in the following areas are being supplied with raw water straight from the source:
- Rural areas between Tantawangalo, Candelo, Toothdale, and Wolumla
- Two properties near Tilba
- A few properties between Kiah and Ben Boyd Dam
Improving your water quality
These are the methods we recommend:
Boiling: NSW Health recommends bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute. This method will kill all major waterborne bacterial pathogens and protozoa and is effective at removing viral pathogens such as the hepatitis A virus, which is fairly heat resistant.
Filtering: Note: Home water filters can actually increase the health risk if not maintained. NSW Health recommends that you do not install a filter if you are not able to ensure it is regularly cleaned and maintained. If you do choose to install a filter then a reverse osmosis is an effective type, capable of removing most major bacteria, protozoa and viruses from your water supply. It can also remove or reduce common chemical contaminants. Ensure the filtration system carries the WaterMark or Plumbing Safety Type Test Mark and complies with at least one of the following standards: ANSI/NSF Standard 53 or AS/NZS4348. All filter types require regular cleaning and maintenance.
UV treatment: This method is very effective against most bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Importantly, UV systems are only effective when the water is clear and free of particles, so pre-filtration is required. Unlike a reverse osmosis filter, UV treatment will not remove or reduce chemicals from your water supply. Ensure all UV systems carry the WaterMark or Plumbing Safety Type Test Mark and meet at least one of the following standards, ANSI/NSF Standard 55 Class A systems (40 mJ/cm2), AS/NZS 3497 or AS/NZS 4348.
How to set-up a reverse osmosis filter
A reverse osmosis filter works by removing particles, followed by most major bacteria, protozoa, viruses and common chemicals from raw water.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- 02 6499 2222
- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
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Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550 -
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia -
ABN: 26 987 935 332