02 DecPrecautionary advice on early years service drinking water systems
From the Victorian Department of Education and Training Quality Assessment and Regulation Update November 2019
Precautionary advice: flushing drinking water systems
As a precaution, we recommend early childhood services flush drinking water supply systems to reduce potential exposure to metals that can dissolve into drinking water from some plumbing products.
Victorian drinking water is known to be safe, however there is some evidence to suggest that metals such as lead, copper and nickel can dissolve into drinking water from some brass plumbing fittings, particularly where water has been sitting stagnant in plumbing for long periods of time.
Early childhood services are encouraged to follow these good practice recommendations as a precaution to reduce children’s potential exposure to lead, including:
- using water from cold taps only for drinking, cooking and preparing infant formula
- flushing cold water taps used for drinking and cooking and preparing infant formula
- for about 30 seconds first thing in the morning to draw fresh water through the tap
- for about 2 to 3 minutes after long periods of non-use, such as upon return from holidays.
After periods of non-use, we suggest services run a tap furthest from the main for 2-3 minutes. Flushing for longer may be needed for larger water systems. Following this, flush remaining taps and fountains used for drinking for a few seconds to clear any water that has been sitting in individual plumbing fittings.
Find more advice on drinking water and public health from the Department of Health and Human Services. If you have further questions please contact your regional community liaison officer.
