🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Recently, there was a concern in Tasmania about the safety of drinking water in Hobart. This worry came after Huon Aquaculture, a company that raises salmon, used a specific antibiotic called oxytetracycline. The company used this antibiotic to treat a disease outbreak among their salmon in the River Derwent. People were worried that the antibiotics might enter Hobart’s water supply and make the drinking water unsafe.
However, Tasmania’s water provider has assured everyone that there is no risk of antibiotics like oxytetracycline getting into the drinking water. They explained that the water treatment processes in place are very effective. These processes ensure that any unwanted substances, including antibiotics, are removed before the water reaches people’s homes.
The water provider is confident about their systems’ efficiency and has stated clearly that the drinking water is safe and free from antibiotics. They also monitor the water quality regularly to ensure its safety. This monitoring helps in detecting any potential contamination early, so they can take action immediately if needed.
The use of antibiotics in aquaculture, like in this case, is not uncommon. It is important to control diseases that could otherwise spread and harm fish populations. However, it is also crucial to ensure that such practices do not negatively impact the environment or human health. The water provider’s reassurance is based on thorough testing and strict safety measures that protect public health.
The situation highlights the balance that needs to be maintained between aquaculture practices and environmental safety. It is essential for companies to follow regulations and for water providers to continuously check and confirm the safety of drinking water. This way, the public can have confidence in the water they consume daily.
📝 Vocabulary
- outbreak: a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as a disease
例文: “There was an outbreak of flu in the school last week.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- disease outbreak
- outbreak of violence
- outbreak of war
発生、勃発 - antibiotic: a type of medicine used to treat bacterial infections
例文: “Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat infections.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- take antibiotics
- antibiotic resistance
- antibiotic treatment
抗生物質 - aquaculture: the farming of aquatic organisms like fish or plants
例文: “Aquaculture is a growing industry around the world.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- aquaculture industry
- fish aquaculture
- sustainable aquaculture
水産養殖 - ensure: to make certain that something will occur or be the case
例文: “Please ensure that all doors are locked before you leave.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- ensure safety
- ensure success
- ensure compliance
確実にする - contamination: the action of making something impure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance
例文: “Water contamination is a serious environmental issue.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- contamination risk
- contamination level
- contamination source
汚染
✏️ Grammar Point
Present Perfect Tense – “The water provider has assured everyone that there is no risk of antibiotics like oxytetracycline getting into the drinking water.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
現在完了形は、過去から現在に関連する出来事や状況を説明する際に使用されます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: Tasmania’s water provider says that Hobart’s drinking water contains antibiotics.
- MCQ: Why did Huon Aquaculture use oxytetracycline?
a) To improve water clarity
b) To treat a salmon disease
c) To enhance fish growth
d) To clean the river - MCQ: What does the water provider assure the public?
a) The water is only sometimes safe.
b) The water contains some antibiotics.
c) The water is safe and antibiotic-free.
d) The water may have a slight risk of contamination.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) To treat a salmon disease
- c) The water is safe and antibiotic-free
📚 Reading Questions
- What action did Huon Aquaculture take to deal with the salmon disease?
- Why is it important for the water provider to monitor water quality regularly?
- What does “ensure” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- Huon Aquaculture used oxytetracycline to treat a disease outbreak among their salmon.
- It is important to detect any potential contamination early and take action immediately.
- Ensure means to make certain that something will occur or be the case.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
タスマニアの水道業者は、Huon Aquacultureがサケの病気を治療するためにオキシテトラサイクリンを使用した後、ホバートの飲料水に抗生物質が混入するリスクはないと発表しました。水質を保つためのプロセスが効果的であると説明しています。水質の監視は重要であり、万が一の汚染の早期発見と対策のために行われています。この事例は、養殖業と環境安全のバランスをどのように保つかを考えるきっかけとなります。
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/salmon-disease-outbreak-antibiotics-river-derwent/106330724
