Short answer. Boil water alerts come from your water supplier: in NSW, suppliers issue them with the local Public Health Unit and must make sure consumers know 1. Phaenyx found no national list. The Get Ready kit list says at least 3 litres of water per person per day 3; Queensland asks for at least 10 litres per person for three days 4. The Bureau of Meteorology lists current water restrictions nationwide 2.
How do I know if my tap water is unsafe?
Your water supplier is the source. In NSW, suppliers, in consultation with the local Public Health Unit, may issue a boil water alert or other warnings, and they are responsible for making sure consumers know 1. They can use newspapers, radio, social media, letter drops, warning signs and direct contact with vulnerable people 1. Incidents can follow flooding, operational problems, E. coli detections or blue-green algae blooms 1.
Phaenyx found no national register of boil water alerts. NSW Health keeps a table of current and past alerts in NSW, based on what suppliers report, and warns that there may be a delay; for current information, check with your supplier 1. In other states, check your supplier's or council's website. How emergency warnings reach your phone is explained on our Australia alerts page.
If you are told to boil water or not to drink it, see What to do during a boil-water notice and Do-not-drink notices.
How much water should I store?
The Get Ready kit list (getready.gov.au) asks you to take at least 3 litres of water per person per day if you need to leave 3. Queensland's official checklist asks for a minimum of 10 litres of drinking water per person for three days, and more days if you live in a rural or remote area or risk being cut off 4. Full figures are on our Australia emergency supplies page; see also How much water to store per person per day? and Water storage containers.
Is Australia short of water?
In places, yes. In WRI's Aqueduct 4.0 model, the population-weighted median of Australian cities is in the "high" category for water stress today and "extremely high" in the 2050 business-as-usual projection; drought risk is "low to medium" 5. These are city medians: a given town can sit higher or lower.
Restriction names and rules vary across Australia 2. On 27 October 2026, the Bureau's list showed, for example, Stage 1 for TasWater in Hobart, Water Wise Measures in Adelaide and Permanent Water Saving Rules in Melbourne and Permanent Water Conservation Measures in Canberra 2. Check yours before summer, and see Drought preparedness.
What if I use rainwater or a bore?
NSW Health's advice for rainwater tanks in bushfire areas: keep the roof clear of overhanging branches, fit first-flush diverters, leaf stoppers and gutter guards, seal the tank against vermin, and disconnect the downpipes if a bushfire is nearby 6. If tank water looks, smells or tastes unusual, use another safe supply, such as bottled water, for drinking, food, ice, teeth and animals until the tank is cleaned and refilled 6. In an emergency, boil it, or add 4 drops of unscented household bleach (4-5% available chlorine) per litre and wait 30 minutes 6. Working inside a tank can be very dangerous; professional tank cleaners are available in some areas 6.
Phaenyx found no national household guidance for private bores. See Private well emergencies.
What should I do after a flood?
Follow your water supplier's instructions 1, and see Water safety after a flood. A household plan can keep your water stock, supplier contacts and warning apps in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues boil water alerts in Australia?
The water supplier, in NSW in consultation with the local Public Health Unit 1.
Where can I check water restrictions?
On the Bureau of Meteorology's Water Restrictions site, by state, agency and restriction name 2.
Is rainwater safe after a bushfire?
Ash and debris are unlikely to be a health risk but can affect look and taste; if you suspect contamination, use bottled water until the tank is cleaned 6.
How much water for three days?
At least 9 litres per person at 3 litres a day 3; Queensland says a minimum of 10 litres 4.
Sources
- NSW Health — Drinking water quality and incidents — https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/drinking-water-quality-and-incidents.aspx (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Bureau of Meteorology — Water Restrictions — https://www.bom.gov.au/water/restrictions/ (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Get Ready (Queensland Reconstruction Authority), getready.gov.au — Get ready for natural hazards – What to pack in your emergency kit (magnet) — https://www.getready.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-05/QETH03549_QRA_CALD%20Get%20Ready_Magnet_Web_FA.pdf (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Get Ready Queensland (Queensland Government) — Pack a kit — https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/prepare/kit (accessed 2026-10-27)
- World Resources Institute (WRI) — Aqueduct 4.0 (water stress, 2050 projection and drought risk) — https://www.wri.org/aqueduct (accessed 2026-10-27)
- NSW Health — Rainwater and bushfires — https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/rainwater-bushfires.aspx (accessed 2026-10-27)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Australia, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- NSW Health · Drinking water quality and incidents checked 2026-10-27
- Bureau of Meteorology · Water Restrictions checked 2026-10-27
- Get Ready (Queensland Reconstruction Authority), getready.gov.au · Get ready for natural hazards – What to pack in your emergency kit (magnet) checked 2026-10-27
- Get Ready Queensland (Queensland Government) · Pack a kit checked 2026-10-27
- World Resources Institute (WRI) · Aqueduct 4.0 (water stress, 2050 projection and drought risk) checked 2026-10-27
- NSW Health · Rainwater and bushfires checked 2026-10-27