Table 1 The healthy community assessment tool: Domain - water supply

1.1 Delivery system

Unprotected source, serious breakdowns with no preventative monitoring and maintenance program in place.

Basic monitoring and maintenance takes place but responsible local staff have poor skills and knowledge. There is no planned monitoring and maintenance program in place.

System well monitored and maintained. Local staff have satisfactory skills and knowledge. Water supply system can sometimes be maintained and serviced locally.

Protected source, system well monitored and maintained, responsible local staff have good skills and knowledge, water supply system can usually be maintained and serviced locally.

Well protected source. Formal monitoring and maintenance plan in place and in progress. Local responsible staff have excellent skills and knowledge and maintain and service the system.

1.2 Drinking water

Water quality does not meet ADWG values (e.g. microbiological failures occur or no regular disinfection process in place); boil water alerts may be regular.

Water quality almost meets ADWG values, some boil water alerts occur.

Water quality mostly meets ADWG values, i.e. occasionally some individual samples do not meet guidelines by marginal amounts. Drinking water is accessible and available to every house and at schools.

Water quality always meets ADWG values and drinking water is accessible and available to every house and at schools.

Water quality easily and consistently meets ADWG values. A water managementplan is in place. Drinking water is accessible and available in public places.

1.3 Rate of supply

System unable to provide quantity required for community all year round.

System consistently delivers at least the minimum water quantity requirements. Intermittent unplanned interruptions in supply occur.

System consistently delivers at least the minimum water quantity requirements. Intermittent planned interruptions in supply occur.

System consistently delivers at least the minimum water quantity requirements, no interruptions to supply.

System consistently delivers well above minimum water quantity requirements with no interruptions to supply. Supply plans take account of future needs.

1.4 Customer satisfaction

The water is considered to be unpalatable and unsafe. Rarely do community members drink water from the tap or other fixtures.

Sometimes the water is unpalatable. On occasion there is damage caused to fixtures or the water is discoloured. Regular complaints are experienced.

The water is generally palatable and considered to be healthy and safe. Individuals complain from time to time.

The water is palatable. Community members consider the water supply to be clean and healthy. No complaints.

Community members consider the water to be very pure andhealthy and superior in taste to other water supplies. No complaints.