Water resource management

Water Resource Management in Remote Indigenous Communities
 
Increasing demand for water has intensified pressure on current supplies in remote communities in the Northern Territory. With limited water resources and predicted population growth, especially in Territory Growth Towns, there is an escalating need to better manage water resources in the remote areas. Implementing sustainable water management practices now, will help fortify water supplies to cope with future challenges presented by climate change and population growth.
 
Climate change will present challenges in the supply and delivery of essential services in remote communities. These challenges include ‘higher temperatures, more extreme rainfall, sea-level rise and more intense cyclones within the next fifty years (Green 2006). For example, rainfall and recharge are dependent on the wet season which is anticipated to have rainfall periods that are shorter but more intense, resulting in higher volumes of run-off and lowering recharge capacity. Storm surges and severe cyclones are predicted to occur more frequently which have the potential to cause disruptions and outages to water supplies. Sea-level rise is expected to cause erosion and saltwater intrusion into ground water systems, which will affect northern coastal communities. The desert region is expected to experience temperature swells increasing water use for irrigation and cooling, while recharge regimes may be slower.

Power and Water is committed to respecting traditional knowledge and law around water and its sustainable management in remote Indigenous communities. When managing community resources, we build relationships with key custodians, senior land owners and government bodies. We also engage with community members and embrace individual and shared aspirations, concerns and knowledge of traditional and contemporary water systems.

Engagement with remote Indigenous communities for community water planning is prioritised based on risk to the water supply and residents' desire to be involved. The following reports build on this fundamental need to engage appropriately with our Indigenous residents, to ensure the true sustainable management of our community resources.

Ali Curung
Pilot Project for Community Engagement in Water Conservation at Ali Curung
Community Water Conservation Program Guide

Milingimbi
Milingimbi Water - care properly for our water
Milingimbi Water Conservation video
Milingimbi - Community stories poster
Milingimbi - Community water poster
Milingimbi - Working together poster

Please note: Posters are in low resolution for viewing on screen, if you would like a hard copy poster (A2 size) please email your details to communications@powerwater.com.au 

Water Quality Fact Sheets
Power and Water Corporation has to meet water quality requirements set by the Northern Territory Department of Health based on expert recommendations. The following fact sheets tell you more about the water supply in communities, its water quality and how we look after it.

Ali Curung
Alpurrurulam
Ampilatwatja
Beswick
Bulla
Kintore
Laramba
Nyirripi
Willowra
Yarralin
Yuelamu 

Advanced Water Treatment Project
Power and Water is working to improve the taste and quality of water in Yuelamu, Ali Curung and Kintore. To find out more about the project, view the fact sheet.