research and planning

Using Indigenous knowledge to improve groundwater education

Project overview

Communicating groundwater decisions is difficult when communities or stakeholders do not have a good understanding of the concepts and processes. Groundwater flows, unlike surface water, are hidden making it harder to explain how the system and processes work. This project proposes to increase groundwater knowledge and understanding for Indigenous Australians, communities and groundwater practitioners.

Revision of the Australian groundwater modelling guidelines

Project overview

Most of Australia’s regional and remote communities are dependent on groundwater resources for their water supply. Many ecosystems are also dependent on groundwater supplies for healthy functioning.

The purpose of the project is to rewrite and update the nation’s current groundwater modelling guidelines, improving the scientific foundation from which decision-making is derived, influencing water availability, security and quality outcomes.

First Nations regional essential services detailed business case

Project overview

This project will assess water infrastructure in at least 48 Aboriginal communities. This will provide a better understanding of:

  • the condition of the infrastructure
  • the work needed to meet community needs and drinking water guidelines
  • how urgent the work is.

The completed assessments are already being used to plan for future upgrades.

On-Country engagement with communities plays a key role in this project. The Water Corporation is collecting information on community views, priorities and aspirations.

Emerging Desalination Technology Demonstration

Project overview

Groundwater is an important source of water for communities or agriculture in many parts of Australia. However, groundwater can have salts, minerals or other chemicals dissolved in it. Water with these natural contaminants may need to be treated before it can be used. Treatment to remove dissolved salts and other contaminants is called desalination.

This project is a practical pilot demonstration of an emerging desalination technology  called iFORO, at several sites in regional Western Australia.

Mitchell River Water Supply System Detailed Business Case

The Mitchell River Water Supply System in East Gippsland has faced ongoing water security issues. The region has experienced severe climate events in the past and needs a more resilient water supply.

The business case will investigate constructing a new storage basin to the north of 2 existing storages in East Gippsland. It is anticipated that a new storage basin would:

Tasmanian North West Water Supply Detailed Business Case

Tasmania’s current North West Water Supply Scheme has insufficient infrastructure to meet growing demand. The Isandula Dam is at risk of dam failure, posing a threat to the region’s water supply. The Scheme currently supplies water to more than 55,000 residents in North West Tasmania, including the townships of:

  • Penguin
  • Ulverstone 
  • Forth
  • Devonport
  • Spreyton
  • Latrobe
  • Port Sorell.

The detailed business case will investigate options to determine the preferred solution. The proposed project is expected to: