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.

Most of the monitoring information in this chapter relates to the operation of reticulated drinking water systems up to the point of supply (typically the water meter). However, water quality may be impacted beyond the point of supply, including through leaching of substances from plumbing products into drinking water, which may present a potential health risk to consumers at the tap (See Section 5.5 on Opportunistic pathogens; Section 9.6 on Water quality issues beyond the point of supply). Information Sheet 4.1 (Metal and metalloid chemicals leaching from plumbing products) provides further information on leaching of substances from plumbing products, actions to reduce exposure and guidance on in-premise sampling.