Surface water

Surface water includes rivers and streams.  Untreated river water is not recommended for drinking or cooking. The risk of illness is higher for people with lower immune response, such as very young children, older people and people with a chronic illness. These people should always boil water used for drinking, cooking and washing food. 

Beware of drinking untreated surface water

• It is very important to ensure that the water that you and your family drink is safe.
• If you don’t have access to mains water, your best source of water is rainwater from your roof, collected in rainwater tanks.
• A properly maintained rainwater tank can provide good quality drinking water. 
• If the rainwater is clear, has little taste or smell, and your roof, gutters and tanks are well maintained, it is unlikely to cause illness for most users.
• Surface water from farm dams, rivers and creeks should not be used for household drinking or cooking. 
• Surface water is often contaminated by faeces from native animals, farm animals and humans, and run-off from agricultural activities. It can make you sick.
• Surface water may be acceptable for non-drinking uses such as washing clothes, irrigation, gardening, or toilet-flushing. 
• For any other uses including bathing, you should treat surface water before use.
• To avoid water quality problems, untreated river water should always be boiled before using for drinking, cooking and washing food.

How can surface water get contaminated?

Surface waters are subject to biological and chemical contamination which may come from:

• stock access
• native/feral animals
• septic tanks
• dairies and piggeries
• stormwater run-off
• heavy rainfall and flooding
• drought, as the flow of water is reduced
• pesticides and fertilisers from farmland and forestry operations

Where to get more information on surface water quality

• Your local council
• Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Wildlife and the Environment