Reporting incidents
Detection of any of the following parameters as detailed in the notice must be reported to the regulator within the timeframes stipulated in the notice:
- detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- detection of a pathogen
- fluoride greater than 1.5 mg/L
- detection of parameter that does not meet a health guideline value in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
- detection of radiologicals that exceeds gross alpha and gross beta screening values in the ADWG
- detection of parameter for which there is no guideline value in the ADWG
- an event or series of events that has the potential to compromise the ability to adequately treat or provide drinking water.
This list is detailed in Appendix C to the Drinking Water Quality: Quarterly Report Explanatory Notes and Instructions (PDF, 116K)*.
Timeframes for reporting incidents
- Within 3 hours—all instances where the health-related drinking water quality criteria are not met. See list of parameters above.
- Within 24 hours—if a parameter is found for which there is no guideline value in the ADWG.
- As soon as practicable—for an event or series of events likely to affect drinking water quality or that will cause difficulty in the ability to adequately treat or provide drinking water (e.g. flood or bushfire).
NB: All incident reports must be made directly to the Queensland Water Supply Regulator by phoning 1300 596 709. Download the incident reporting forms.
To help drinking water service providers in their incident reporting, the regulator has prepared incident reporting flowcharts. The timeframes for reporting are also outlined in the Water Quality and Reporting Guideline for a Drinking Water Service (PDF, 406K)*.
Non-reportable parameters
Non-reportable parameters are parameters that have been declared as non-reportable as an incident. They may be subject to certain conditions and may apply only to certain circumstances. Find out more about non-reportable parameters.
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Last updated 8 January 2013
