RISKY BUSINESS: - WHAT, HOW AND WHY (A CASE STUDY CONDUCTED FOR GOULBURN VALLEY WATER)

The concept of risk assessment is one, which is being increasingly used throughout Australia in the management of water supply systems and in the provision of safe and good quality drinking water. A number of the larger water authorities in major metropolitan centres and some rural Victorian and NSW water authorities are pursuing risk assessment as the accepted approach to scientifically evaluate pollutants and to develop protective public policies. The mechanism by which the risk management process is being undertaken may vary from authority to auth ority but essentially follows the same principles. This paper describes the elements of a risk management exercise conducted at Goulburn Valley Water in relation to the drinking water supplies, the methodology employed, the water authority response to out comes and the benefits perceived to have arisen from the approach.