How safe is your tap water really?

by Andrew Steer on March 19, 2025

Health impacts of reduced water quality

Water is an essential resource for all life. Water pollution from natural, human, or human-caused activity can cause health issues including:

Water pollution can be caused by:

Bushfires are a frequent occurrence in Australia.

After a bushfire, higher levels of debris, dead animals, fire retardants and ash can reduce water quality.

Fire damage to rainwater tanks can also contaminate rainwater.

After major flooding, toxic waste, oil, plastics, fertilisers, and detergents can contaminate floodwater.

If untreated, they can flow to underground water systems and other water sources. .

In Australia, most drinking water pipes are lead free, but many other plumbing products such as brass fittings contain lead.

Ingesting lead through water can cause:

Young children, infants, and fetuses are particularly vulnerable.

If an air conditioner or warm water system has a Legionella bacteria contamination it can cause legionellosis.

Regular inspections, disinfection and maintenance of cooling towers and plumbing systems limits the growth of the bacteria.

Groundwater is water that collects and flows beneath the earth’s surface.

Communities in dry parts of Australia often use groundwater on crops and as drinking water.

Groundwater contamination lasts for a long time, as groundwater moves much slower than rivers and streams.