Water Innovation: A new era for Australia

Authors: Kathleen H Bowmer and Richard Davis
First published 2004

Water is central to sustainable development, responsible growth, regional employment and reducing poverty.  Lack of access to clean, reliable freshwater will be the greatest threat facing mankind in the 21st century. Already an estimated 700 million people are short of water for drinking and basic life needs. This will rise to nearly half the world’s population within 50 years. The basic problems are that water use has been rising much faster than population growth and that much of this use is highly inefficient. The answer lies not in withdrawing more and more water, but in being smarter about the way water is used.

Australia’s water reforms of the past decade show how this can be achieved. Australia’s commitment to natural resource management through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is recognised internationally. In urban systems, rivers and catchments, and in irrigation agriculture, Australian scientists, agronomists and engineers continue to work in partnership with governments, industries and communities to develop new options and solutions, for Australia, for developing nations, and for international markets.

The context of the global water debate is the common challenge of water scarcity, caused by expanding population, urbanisation, pollution, and climate change and variability. The problem will escalate unless actions are taken now to reverse current degradation and protect future water supplies. Australian research contributes to the understanding of global biophysical processes that underpin the water cycle and hence the prediction of flood and drought can be better managed. Australian scientists also provide approaches to measuring river and floodplain health, and link landscape management to river and stream condition. Management of catchments to protect water quality and run-off volume is a well-tested strategy in both rural and urban Australia. Consequently natural processes are used to supplement technological solutions for water and waste treatment and to avoid whatever possible the salinisation of water resources. If solutions are underpinned by a better understanding of the water cycle, there is less likelihood of the development of unintended consequences and new problems.

This ‘big picture’ thinking that is characteristic of the Australian approach to water resources management is also reflected in the cross-jurisdictional approach to new water policy, and to engagement of all water users in improving water use efficiency. Innovative schemes for reducing water use are being developed for cities and towns; for irrigated agriculture; and for age ncies, industries and individuals. In dryland agriculture a revolution in landscape management is proceeding as the methods for detecting and managing salinity are developed and the links with vegetative cover and groundwater flow are clarified.

Australian governments have established a clear policy framework for accessing, allocating, pricing and trading of water to meet the needs of all water users including the environment and have embraced the challenge of improving water use efficiency. Governments also provide support for research and commercialisation. Scientists and engineers are providing new options for water and waste treatment that safeguard public health and the environment. Economists are exploring new kinds of markets that recognise the value of ecosystem services and which can optimise the contribution of both public and private investment. Social scientists are designing processes that involve communities and regions in finding their own solutions. Consulting firms and agronomists are helping to bring about improved practices on the ground.

The culture of experimentation and self sufficiency, of survival in harsh conditions, and experience of flood and drought, underpins Australian achievement and innovation. Much of this experience is transferable internationally, whether to advanced industrial economies or to remote villages of developing nations, as demonstrated by existing international partnerships and aid services. Australian government and industry look forward to building on these partnerships, to sharing experiences, and to finding solutions that will safeguard water supplies into the future. Australians have recognised the urgency of the situation and have risen to the challenge. This progress is described in Water Innovation: A New Era for Australia.