2015 South Australian Scientist of the Year Professor Craig Simmons has been appointed to a national advisory group on Australia’s drinking water quality.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Water Quality Advisory Committee provides expert advice to the NHMRC on public health issues related to drinking water quality.

“Water quality is a profoundly important and fundamental issue for all aspects of public and environmental health nationally and internationally,” says Professor Simmons.

Leading Australian hydro-geologist Professor Simmons, the director of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) at Flinders, will join other leading authorities in the fields of microbiology, toxicology, regulation of water quality and operation of water utilities.

“I am honoured to be invited to join the committee which is also responsible for targeted research areas relating to health and water, Australian public health epidemiology and World Health Organisation systems and processes for drinking water quality,” he says.

“The NHMRC Water Quality Advisory Committee will provide advice on current and emerging health issues relating to water quality in Australia, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, and identify gaps in the NHMRC water quality guidelines.”