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Drinking Water

The majority of schools and libraries are using water supplied through a major urban water supply scheme which is fully treated.  Provided the pipe work and dispensing arrangements are satisfactory the water will meet relevant standards. There are 32 school sites that provide their own drinking water and are registered as private supply.

• Reticulated Supply
• Private Supply
• Water Dispensers

Reticulated Supply

All pipe work, fixtures and fittings are a site responsibility.

In the event of a major calamity eg an urgent need to replace a supply line due to continual breakage and the cost is beyond school resources, Central Office may assist with rectification dependent on the scale and criticality of the failure

Private Supply

There are 32 schools whose water supplies are classified as private supplies as the water is sourced from rain water tanks, pumped from rivers or bores.  

The department has installed at minimum UV filters on all private water supplies and incorporated the maintenance of the filters into the Master Maintenance System. Regular tests are also undertaken on the water quality.  A number of other sites are also filtered and / or treated as the water quality is not considered acceptable, generally for reasons of  colouration or taste.

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What is NOT covered by contract

All pipe work and general plumbing fixtures and fittings including particle filters.

Sites should take care of water tanks, particularly in ensuring that they are kept in good condition and are not contaminated from low hanging trees or missing screens. It is also advisable to clean the water tanks periodically

What is covered by contract

Pumps, ultra-violet filtration units and any other plant specifically required for maintaining the supply.

How do I get help?

Help line 1800 816 057

Water Dispensers

Ensure that filters in water dispensers are cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. If drinking fountains are in use you may consider the fitting of a device to prevent mouth contact with the outlet. Facility Services can provide advice on these. In order to minimise the risk of infection or possible injury some sites have decommissioned drinking fountains and installed water dispensing units from which students refill personal drink containers.

Some schools encourage students to use personal drinking bottles with the schools providing filtered water from a secure location.  This further safeguards the water quality and reduces the risk of vandalism and other misuse.

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