Review of water treatment technologies for remote communities water supply

05 January 2024

Communities without access to reliable and safe water can experience health, economic, cultural and social concerns.

To help Close the Gap on water security, the Australian Government has committed $150 million of National Water Grid funding towards projects that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Our Science Program is also undertaking research projects to build the evidence base about water security issues in these communities.

This includes funding CSIRO to review current and emerging water treatment technologies that aim to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to remote areas.

The review matches water treatment options against the needs of communities. The report provides us with:

  • an overview of common water supply and quality issues
  • technologies used for treatment
  • relevant emerging technologies
  • a framework to measure the effectiveness of technologies to deliver safe and reliable drinking water.

Further research and development recommendations are also provided to address the identified challenges.

The research report forms part of a growing library of National Water Grid Science Program resources. These can be used by anyone to help them make informed and evidence-based decisions on water projects.

Visit the Review of water treatment technologies for remote communities water supply project page for more information.

Aerial view of the community of Kalkaringi, Northern Territory, showing housing and parked cars in a desert area.
The National Water Grid Science Program is adding to the research available about water security in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.