# 7.6 Approach for derivation of reference levels and screening values for radionuclides The *Australian Drinking Water Guidelines* provide: * a single reference level for the annual exposure to radioactivity in drinking water * screening values for gross alpha and beta analysis that allow for a simple and cost-effective assessment of the radiological drinking water quality * a method for further assessing the dose if screening values for gross alpha and beta analysis are exceeded. This approach generally reduces the analytical costs and effort in routine monitoring. Analyses to identify individual radionuclides present in the water are performed when indicated by the screening results. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/part-2/chapter-7/7.6-approach-for-derivation-of-reference-levels-and-screening-values-for-radionuclides.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.