Rural
10 November, 2026
Is my tank water safe to drink?
It’s one question many Southern Highlanders ask themselves on a daily basis.
Is my tank water safe to drink?
It’s one question many Southern Highlanders ask themselves on a daily basis.
Dr Ian Wright, a water scientist at Western Sydney University, will help provide some answers when he speaks at the Mittagong RSL Club on November 26.
The forum – presented by WinZero – will focus on the results of recent testing across the Southern Highlands and how the results for PFAS and metals compare with other areas across New South Wales.
Those areas include households around the Cadia gold and copper mine near Orange in the State’s Central West, where water contamination has become a major community concern.
One of the guests at the forum will be Oliver Gaynor from Williams Roberts Lawyers, who is leading the Cadia class action regarding alleged contamination associated with the mine’s activities.
A WinZero spokesperson said Mr Gaynor had generously supported the Southern Highlands water testing program and had helped fund investigations into potential contamination locally.
Rainwater tanks are used widely throughout the Southern Highlands for everyday household use – including for drinking, cooking and cleaning – but few people have had their water tested for potentially harmful contaminants.
The WinZero spokesperson said the November 26 forum would provide an opportunity for local residents to hear directly from an experienced scientist, to understand the findings of recent testing and to learn what steps should be taken to ensure their tank water is safe to drink.
Rust-coloured or sediment-discoloured water should not be consumed until its safety has been established.
NSW Health says rainwater tanks can provide a safe, renewable water supply if they are correctly installed and if they are maintained and checked properly to prevent contamination.
There is no State Government requirement for tank water to be tested for contaminants.
· The WinZero forum ‘Is your tank water safe to drink?’ will be held at the Mittagong RSL Club on Thursday, November 26 between 6pm and 7.30pm. To register, go to www.events.humanitix.com
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