Water for the environment
Wise use and sustainable management of Australia's water resources not only ensures that there is enough water for human activities, but also that there is enough water for the environment.
Ecosystems rely on water to support plant and animal life and to carry out processes that maintain the health of the environment. These processes also result in services that humans rely on, including:
- production of economic goods such as agricultural crops
- regulation of damaging events such as floods
- removal of wastes
- important cultural services including aesthetically acceptable rivers and indigenous values.
Without adequate water supplies, rivers, wetlands, floodplains, estuaries and other ecosystems will suffer, and the health of the environment will be compromised.
In some regions, too much water has been diverted from the environment or the timing of the water delivery has been altered. In these areas, the natural processes that are essential to sustaining life have been put at risk and ecological communities are threatened. In other places, too much water has been provided and ephemeral wetlands are now permanently inundated and unable to provide benefits to people.
Providing water for the environment is essential to ensure the restoration of ecological processes and to preserve the biodiversity of water-dependent ecosystems in systems that are over-allocated.
Water for the environment and water reform
Without adequate water at the required time, water-dependent ecosystems lose their capacity to provide for the environment or other public uses. The National Water Initiative aims to strike a balance between the consumptive use of water and environmental health.
- Find out more about Water for the environment and water reform
Rivers and wetlands
Rivers and wetlands sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services, and provide countless benefits for humans. A key element of the National Water Initiative is striking an appropriate balance between the consumptive use of water and the health of rivers and wetlands.
- Find out more about Rivers and wetlands
Groundwater dependent ecosystems
Many Australian ecosystems depend on groundwater for part or all of their water requirements, although the details of these dependencies are not well understood. Through the National Water Initiative, we are finding out more about groundwater dependent ecosystems and how to manage them.
- Find out more about Groundwater dependent ecosystems
Environmental water management
The National Water Initiative aims to improve environmental management practices to ensure adequate water for the environment and for other public benefit outcomes. Defining management goals, establishing environmental water managers and monitoring environmental outcomes are central to meeting this aim.
- Find out more about Environmental water management