EPA risk assessment and monitoring guidelines

EPA has published a new draft guideline for risk assessment and monitoring. The purpose of the guide is to assist compliance with new licence conditions. VicWater has commenced discussion with EPA to clarify aspects of the draft guideline. EPA has informally indicated that existing water industry risk assessment and monitoring approaches, assuming the evolution of new initiatives such as the VicWater emerging contaminant risk assessment, will meet the requirements of the new guideline. However, concerns have been raised about the possibility of arbitrary enforcement of the guidelines. The risk of which could be reduced by developing an industry code of practice. VicWater will prepare a brief written submission in consultation with members of the EPA Water Industry Reference Group.