9.1 Introduction

The Framework for Drinking Water Quality Management (the Framework), outlined in Chapters 2-4, is based on a preventive strategy that encompasses total system management from catchment to consumer to assure safe drinking water.

A central aspect of this approach is the use of monitoring to confirm the effectiveness of the preventive measures and barriers to contamination, and to enhance understanding of system performance.

This is achieved through the collection of data that increase understanding of the entire water supply system, including the hazards and risks that are present, the performance of treatment barriers, and the integrity of the distribution system.