Water: A Plain English Guide

We all know that water is essential for our lives. Sometimes we don't always take time to think about how the quality of water affects not only our own health, but that of our environment as well. Water has a powerful impact on the balance of the environment. Too much, too little or ‘not the right sort' can have a devastating effect.

NSW Health has provided some information in regards to Private Water Supply guidelines. 

Blue Green Algae is a naturally occurring organism regularly found in Council's main water storage Ben Chifley Dam, it is usually visible in the form of floating green particles in the water. 

Council strives to supply clean safe drinking water at all times, though occasionally cases of dirty water occur.

The major water storage for Bathurst is Chifley Dam located on the Campbell's River some 17 kilometres upstream of Bathurst.

Chifley Dam was originally completed in 1956, and built in accordance with the standards and knowledge at that time.  Since then, more data has been available, particularly regarding rainfall.

During the 1990's, a check was made and it was found that the existing dam did not comply with the revised dam safety standards set by the NSW Dam Safety Committee. Modifications to the dam were required to provide the capacity for safe discharge for up to the probable maximum flood (PMF) event. 

The majority of residences within the Bathurst Local Government Area are connected to the reticulated sewerage system. However some of the rural residences require the installation of on-site effluent disposal systems.

Greywater is defined as the wastewater from the bath, shower, laundry and hand basins.

NSW Health has provided some information in regards to Rainwater Tanks.

Sustainable Schools NSW aims to assist school communities across NSW to:

teach important sustainability knowledge and concepts, learn about the environment and implement positive and fun actions into all aspects of the school.

Inquiry into secure and sustainable urban water supply and sewerage services for non-metropolitan NSW.

The State's 104 non-metropolitan local water utilities are facing growing challenges posed by drought, climate change, environmental water allocations, demographic shifts, technological advances and skills shortages.  Please visit the Inquiry into secure and sustainable urban water supply and sewerage services for non-metropolitan NSW report.

Trade waste means all liquid waste produced from a business, commercial or industrial activity other than sewage of a domestic nature (i.e. liquid waste from toilet, hand wash basin, shower and bath wastes). 

Surveys for the first sewerage system began in 1910, and the treatment plant was completed in 1915. The original treatment plant consisted of huge underground septic tanks. Liquid overflow (effluent) passed through rubble filters and into the Macquarie River.