Non-drinking water networks
There are some parts of South Australia (see below) where we can deliver water, but it doesn’t reach drinking quality. Non-drinking water is water we supply without treatment.
We classify non-drinking water into two categories: 'Non-Drinking unless boiled’ or ‘Non-Drinking'. These could occur when your water is drawn from sources that may contain naturally-occurring contaminants.
You will know which type of non-drinking water is supplied to your area as we’ll send you the right guide with every water bill. If you would like a copy, please contact our Customer Care Centre on 1300 729 283.
The following lists our non-drinking water systems:
Non-Drinking unless boiled
- Cockburn
- Dutchman/Foster's Creek
- Mannum - Adelaide Pipeline
- Murray Bridge - Onkaparinga Pipeline
- Olary
- Oodlawirra
- South Creek
- Woolundunga
Non Drinking
- Blinman
- Cape Jaffa
- Hammond/Willowie
- Peak Spring
- Saltia Creek
- Woolshed Flat
Livestock and animal health
If you have questions about non-drinking water for livestock, please contact Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)’s Biosecurity SA division (animal health) on (08) 8207 7900.
If you are in an area where the water supply is classified 'Non-Drinking unless boiled', your non-drinking water supply has not been treated or disinfected.
You need to boil your water before using it for drinking, food preparation and teeth cleaning. Boiling will kill any harmful microorganisms in the water.
Together with SA Health, we advise that you:
- Boil non-drinking water before using it for drinking, food preparation (including making ice) and cleaning teeth. Boiling does not have to be maintained for any length of time. Kettles with automatic shut‐offs are suitable. The water can then be cooled and stored in a clean container.
- Always wash fruits and vegetables, including home grown, with drinking water (rain, boiled or packaged) before eating.
- Do not connect your non-drinking mains supply to your drinking water source, e.g. rainwater tank.
- Ensure everyone who lives at your property, and visitors, are aware of these guidelines.
- Install and maintain 'Water not suitable for drinking' signs at all accessible taps connected to your non-drinking water supply. Please let us know if you require a set of these signs or stickers.
Harmful microorganisms including Naegleria fowleri, may be present in your non-drinking water supply.
- Avoid swallowing water or allowing water to go up your nose when showering or bathing. Non-drinking water must be boiled prior to use with sinus irrigation products. Care should be taken to avoid activities that may result in water being forced up the nose including jumping, diving or falling into water.
- Children should avoid swallowing water or getting water up their nose when bathing or playing with water, including using a hose, sprinkler, water toys or a paddling pool.
- If using your non-drinking water supply in children’s paddling pools, do not leave in pool for more than 24 hours.
- If using your non-drinking water supply to fill your swimming pool, ensure it is disinfected with a product such as chlorine to reduce the microbiological risks. For detailed information, visit sahealth.sa.gov.au and search for 'domestic swimming pools'.
- Set the temperature of storage hot water systems at 60ºC or higher (does not apply to instant hot water systems). Care should be taken to avoid scalding.
Visit sawater.com.au for swimming pool permit requirements.
For detailed information on Naegleria, visit sahealth.sa.gov.au and search for 'Naegleria'.
How you can use your water
- Handwashing, bathing and showering
- Washing dishes in a sink or a dishwater
- Washing clothes in a sink or washing machine
- Air conditioners and evaporative cooling systems
- Flushing toilets.
Some water supplies can cause build up or ‘scaling’ over time in appliances including washing machines, dishwashers and cooling systems.
We will continue to monitor your non-drinking water supply. To understand how you can use your supply for stock, crops and gardening, please contact Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) on (08) 8207 7900.
Landlords are required to provide tenants with this information.
This notice relates to non-drinking water supplies in non‐urban areas.
For health-related matters please contact the SA Health Water Quality Unit on 08 8226 7100 between 9am and 5pm or email waterquality@sa.gov.au.
If you are in an area where the water supply is classified 'Non-Drinking', your non-drinking water supply has not been treated or disinfected so may contain harmful microorganisms. It may also have high salinity levels or naturally occurring chemicals.
Boiling your water will NOT make it suitable to drink.
Together with SA Health, we advise that you:
- Do not use the non-drinking mains water for drinking, food preparation (including ice making) and cleaning teeth.
- Always wash fruits and vegetables, including home grown, with drinking water (rain or packaged) before eating.
- Do not connect your non-drinking mains supply to your drinking water source, e.g. rainwater tank.
- Ensure everyone who lives at your property, and visitors, are aware of these guidelines.
- Install and maintain 'Water not suitable for drinking' signs at all accessible taps connected to your non-drinking water supply. Please contact us if you require a set of signs or stickers.
Harmful microorganisms including Naegleria fowleri, may be present in your non-drinking water supply.
- Avoid swallowing water or allowing water to go up your nose when showering or bathing. Non-drinking water must be boiled prior to use with sinus irrigation products. Care should be taken to avoid activities that may result in water being forced up the nose including jumping, diving or falling into water.
- Children should avoid swallowing water or getting water up their nose when bathing or playing with water, including using a hose or a paddling pool.
- If using your non-drinking water supply in children’s paddling pools, do not leave in pool for more than 24 hours.
- If using your non-drinking water supply to fill your swimming pools, ensure it is disinfected with a product such as chlorine, to reduce the microbiological risks. For detailed information, visit sahealth.sa.gov.au and search for 'domestic swimming pools'.
- Set the temperature of storage hot water systems at 60ºC or higher (does not apply to instant hot water systems). Care should be taken to avoid scalding.
Visit sawater.com.au to check swimming pool permit requirements.
For detailed information on Naegleria, visit sahealth.sa.gov.au and search for “Naegleria”.
How you can use your water
- Handwashing, bathing and showering
- Washing dishes in a sink or a dishwater
- Washing clothes in a sink or washing machine
- Air conditioners and evaporative cooling systems
- Flushing toilets.
Please be aware that some water supplies can cause build up or ‘scaling’ over time in appliances including washing machines, dishwashers and cooling systems.
We will continue to monitor your non-drinking water supply. To understand how you can use your supply for stock, crops and gardening, please contact contact Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) on (08) 8207 7900.
Landlords are required to provide tenants with this information.
For health-related matters please contact the SA Health Water Quality Unit on 08 8226 7100 between 9am and 5pm or email waterquality@sa.gov.au.