Wednesday, 17 May 2023

Statements on tabled papers and petitions

Department of Health

Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality in Victoria 2021–22

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (17:10): I rise to speak on the Department of Health’s Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality in Victoria 2021–22. The report does a great job of updating and summarising Victoria’s water quality performance and the department’s activities during the 2021 and 2022 reporting period. The department does a fantastic job of maintaining and improving the regulation of Victorian water agencies to protect the public from the waterborne health risks water consumption can cause. Not only this, it also highlights their preventative risk assessment work which operates to mitigate any problems the consumption of water can cause.

We all know how important these services are for the state. Maintaining Victoria’s world-class water supply system impacts all of us, every single day. Drinkable and safe water is a right and a need, and this applies to everyone. On top of this I would really like to point out the incredible work the department does to ensure that this system is even more resourceful. I would like to applaud the department for their multidisciplined approach to water management. They ensure public health is maintained while also safeguarding human environmental elements, which includes animals. These workers are just brilliant. Their routine inspection system, maintenance and asset repair and replacement work could not be more important. They prevent incidents from occurring and monitor environmental hazards. I commend their proactive stance in what they do.

We know that in the path of water, from the catchment to the consumer, there are many possible sources of contamination that must be proactively managed to avoid the detrimental impacts to public health. Their identification, control and monitoring of risks to the water supply helps keep us all safe. The report continues by outlining how the department considers the potential future impacts of climate change and the influence environmental factors can have on operational performance. The water management processes highlight the important research, and the contents of the report are key in harnessing advances in science and technology. These developments, research and innovations work to improve our state’s resources, and how great is that, to see such developments translated into practice.

Our system has built resilience and continues to deliver on public health priorities. I was proud to learn that water quality standards are improving across Victoria, even just compared to the previous year: 488 localities, that is 98.3 per cent of the state, continuously met all water quality standards in the regulations in 2021–22. That is up from 465 localities, or 97.7 per cent of the state, in the previous year. How good is that? I am proud to note that the bar keeps getting raised and that Victorians are protected. These water quality standards are measurable and effective in ensuring that people and the wider community are protected from terrible diseases such as E. coli and avoid elevated levels of triethylamine, which can lead to negative health effects such as cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes. It is incredible to note that the department works to make sure that these integral processes run smoothly and that their oversight continues to ensure that water qualities are set at a high standard, and 468 localities can rest assured they are being looked after and their health is of the utmost importance.

I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge how far the development of the water management system has progressed over time. Continuous research and aid into the provision of water, the development of biotech, helps and strengthens our communities in many ways. Thinking back, I remember when water fluoridation was introduced in my area of Southern Metro. That was back in 1977. These forethinking ideas and the development of science and technology has helped Victorian families and the community a great deal. It has saved Victoria an estimated $1 billion through things like avoided dental costs and days away from work and schools and other costs. That is just one of the many reasons that I am proud to speak on this report today. Their work strengthens Victoria and helps us thrive in more ways than one. I thank them for the work they do and look forward to continuing to advocate for Victoria’s public health measures to be of the highest standard. I would like to thank Minister Shing and her office for their leading work in this space, work that led to Water Melbourne in 2022 taking out the Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition. I commend this report to the house.