Why water infrastructure matters – an introduction

03 October 2023

Over the past three years, Australia has experienced extensive rainfall and floods. But the weather event that caused these conditions – La Niña – is officially over. Climate forecasters are now monitoring what will happen next, advising a return to drier times due to an El Niño event.

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth. We must secure our water resources in the most productive and environmentally responsible way possible. At the National Water Grid (NWG), we are completely focused on this goal. Our extensive program of work covers projects across all the states and territories. We deliver projects that stack up economically, environmentally, culturally and socially.

Our projects are informed by the most up-to-date science available. We also employ circular economy principles — in other words, looking at how things can be reused and not go to waste. This offers an opportunity to recognise and capture the full value of water.

Our dedicated science team is managing more than 38 science projects across the country. These are designed to help determine the best way to harness and protect our water systems and supplies.

We are focused on supporting the regions, delivering secure water to farmers and industry, and providing clean drinking water to communities. But there is so much more to it than that. Did you know that our projects also play a major role in contributing to a range of secondary benefits, such as:

  • supporting agricultural production and putting food on our dinner tables
  • supporting jobs and economic growth in communities
  • improving environmental sustainability
    • providing more reliable water for plants and animals
    • improving the efficiency of new and existing irrigation and farming equipment
    • taking the pressure off our natural groundwater and surface water systems.
Water being stored in 2 areas amongst green paddocks
Part of the Western Irrigation Network project in Victoria.

We’ve recently expanded our remit to include essential town water supplies in regional and remote communities.

We’ve also placed an increased focus on involving First Nations communities in helping to inform water infrastructure projects. First Nations communities have managed land and sea Country for more than 65,000 years, and we know it’s important to draw on this knowledge.

Stay tuned for our next edition, ‘Why water infrastructure matters: supporting Australia’s agriculture’.

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