Director of Public Health’s response to new water concerns

Director of Public Health Dr Roscoe Taylor said today that the scientific research presented in the Australian Story television program warrants further assessment.

“I believe a formal process is required to specifically assess the concerns raised in Australian Story and I will be providing advice to Government on the best way to achieve this,” Dr Taylor said.

“Issues raised in the program include environmental, aquaculture and public health matters, but it’s important to note that much of the evidence presented on the show has not yet been provided to Government for assessment.

“One issue raised is whether environmental contamination is occurring from forestry plantation activity – in particular from selectively bred Eucalyptus nitens – that in some way differs from naturally occurring toxins from other Eucalypts or other plant species.

“Work carried out by the Department of Primary Industry, Water and the Environment in 2005 identified a number of toxic compounds in the surface scum that were known to be commonly occurring in eucalypts.

“Toxicity was not demonstrated in surface or subsurface water samples – only in samples of scum collected using skimmer boxes. This included samples from the upper George River catchment unaffected by agricultural or forestry activity.

“At this point in time there is no evidence to suggest that the conclusion I reached as Director of Public Health in 2005 in advising Break O’Day Council about the safety of the town’s drinking water supply, was incorrect.

“In fact, the advice given at that time regarding health risks from pesticide contamination of the waterway appears if anything to be further confirmed by the information in the Australian Story.

“The toxicity testing to date has been carried out on highly concentrated surface water (surface skimmers collecting scum and foam over a period of time), which has no relevance to public health assessment of drinking water, and is largely uninterpretable.

“Once the relevant information is obtained there is likely to be a good case for furthering aspects of the scientific research work that has been carried out to date so it can be placed in the context of many other drinking water supplies in Tasmania (and Australia) that rely upon forested areas for drinking water catchments.

“It will be desirable to ensure a process and governance arrangements that are transparent and inclusive, so that there is a free flow of information,” Dr Taylor said.

More information on the Department of Health and Human Services’ original investigation and advice to the Break O’Day Council regarding the St Helens water supply can be found on the website at www.dhhs.tas.gov.au
Dr Roscoe Taylor Director of Public Health