Protecting our drinking water catchments

The actions of people living in, or visiting, our drinking water catchment areas can have a significant impact on the drinking water supply of downstream communities. Poor quality drinking water can affect public health.

Protect our waters - protect our health: Highlighting the importance of preventing stock access to natural waterways.

Protect our waters, protect our health (pdf, 1.19mb)

Protect our waters – protect our health: A guide for landholders on managing land in drinking water catchments.

• helps create sustainable farming practices
• is likely to save money on farm operations
• has a positive impact on the overall environment
• creates healthier, better-looking and therefore more valuable land.

Some of the actions landholders are encouraged to take to manage their land effectively and protect drinking water supplies for the community are:

• improving the condition of waterway frontages via revegetation
• preventing stock access to waterways
• adequately maintaining onsite wastewater treatment systems (e.g. septic tanks)
• preventing soil erosion
• using and managing nutrients wisely
• optimising agricultural chemical use
• planning and developing land thoughtfully.

The booklet also highlights who can be contacted for financial assistance, and also contains a wide range of resources to further assist landholders.

Protect our waters - protect our health: A guide for landholders on managing land in drinking water catchments (pdf, 1.88mb)

Requests for hardcopies of this document can be made by contacting the Environmental Health Unit on phone: 1800 761 874, or email: environmental.healthunit@health.vic.gov.au

Public health issues associated with stock accessing waterways upstream of drinking water off-takes

The report is being made available in order to assist water corporations with the management of risks that may impact on drinking water quality.

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