Urban water publications
Publications about urban water planning and pricing, water restrictions and supply options such as water recycling.
National Performance reports and documents
National Performance Report 2010–11: urban water utilities – April 2012
In its sixth year of publication, this National Performance Report is a detailed account of the performance of urban water utilities.
Provides detailed definitions for all indicators included in the National Performance Report 2010–11: urban water utilities.
National Performance Report 2009–10: urban water utilities – April 2011
Includes information from 79 water utilities that supply around 18.3 million Australians with their urban water services.
2009-10 urban water performance report indicators and definitions handbook and auditing requirements - May 2010
Provides detailed definitions for all indicators to be included in the National Performance Report 2009-10. This report is due for release in 2011.
National Performance Report 2008-09 urban water utilities - April 2010
Based on the principles of comparability, accuracy and consistency, this report includes information from 73 water utilities who supply around 17.2 million Australians with their urban water services.
Provides detailed definitions for all indicators to be included in the National Performance Report 2008-09. This report is due for release in 2010.
National Performance Report 2007-2008: urban water utilities - April 2009
Based on the principles of comparability, accuracy and consistency, and spanning all critical performance areas of water resources, it includes information from 82 water utilities.
2007-08 Urban water performance report indicators and definitions handbook - April 2008
The National Performance Framework 2007-08 Urban Water Performance Report Indicators and Definitions Handbook is a companion volume to the 2007-08 Urban Performance Report due to be released in early 2009.
National Performance Report 2006-07 - urban water utilities - April 2008
Tracks the performance of the urban water sector for the financial year 2006-07 and provides the Australian public with a reliable and transparent source of information for urban water utilities.
2006-07 Urban performance reporting indicators and definitions - April 07
This handbook contains performance indicators and definitions for reporting on the performance of urban water utilities which are not Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) members and which have greater than 10 000 connections.
2006-07 Urban performance reporting indicators and definitions (WSAA members) - April 07
This handbook contains performance indicators and definitions which Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) members can voluntarily report against for the WSAA performance reporting framework.
National Performance Report 2005-06 - urban water utilities - April 2007
Tracks the performance of the urban water sector for the financial year 2006-07 and provides the Australian public with a reliable and transparent source of information for urban water utilities.
2005-06 Urban performance reporting indicators and definitions - April 06
This handbook contains performance indicators and definitions for reporting on the performance of urban water utilities which are not Water Services Association of Australia members and which have greater than 10 000 connections.
2005-06 Urban performance reporting indicators and definitions (WSAA members) - April 06
This handbook contains performance indicators and definitions for urban water providers who are Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) members for reporting against for the WSAA performance reporting framework.
Waterlines reports
Progress in Managed Aquifer Recharge in Australia - Waterlines report No 73, March 2012Synthesises findings arising from the breadth of MAR projects funded by the National Water Commission and describes lessons learnt relating to policy frameworks, feasibility studies and risk assessments.
Time of use tariffs: reforming the economics of urban water supply - Waterlines report No 63, October 2011
Investigates the potential application of time of use tariffs to reduce peak hour demand using hourly water consumption data collected by smart meters in Hervey Bay, Queensland, in 2008-09.
Productivity, efficiency and technological progress in Australia's urban water utilities - Waterlines report No 62, October 2011
Uses National Performance Reports data over the past three years to measure and analyse efficiency, productivity and technological changes in the urban water supply industry.
Verifying the end use of potable water savings from contemporary residential water supply schemes - Waterlines report No 61, October 2011
Compares actual cost and water consumption data from four water supply schemes in South East Queensland.
Cross-connections: linking urban water managers with humanities, arts and social sciences researchers - Waterlines report No 60, October 2011
Identifies key issues affecting collaboration between science; and humanities, arts and social sciences.
Identifying data gaps and refining estimates of pathogen health risks for alternate water sources - Waterlines report No 50, May 2011
Investigates the status and availability of pathogen data for alternative water sources - information critical to the safe management and regulation of many alternative water schemes.
Talking about water - Waterlines report No 49, May 2011
Provides an insight into what drives public perception and the effect terminology has on communities' acceptance of alternate water supplies, specifically recycled water for drinking.
A national approach to health risk assessment, risk communication and management of chemical hazards from recycled water - Waterlines report No 48, May 2011
Demonstrates innovative approaches to the comprehensive analysis of contaminants in water sources.
Review of urban water quality regulation - Waterlines report No 47, May 2011
Sets out three reform options to ensure Australia's water sector maintains its strong record in delivering safe drinking water to our towns and cities.
Robust policy design for managed aquifer recharge - Waterlines report No 38, January 2011
Contributes to a number of National Water Initiative outcomes including increased water use efficiency in domestic and commercial settings, encouraging cost effective reuse and recycling of wastewater, and encouraging innovation in water supply sourcing, treatment, storage and discharge.
Pricing principles for recycled water and stormwater reuse - Waterlines report No 31, October 2011
Analyses and proposes a set of pricing principles for recycled water and stormwater to assist National Water Initiative (NWI) parties in meeting their commitments.
Recycled water use in Australia: regulations, guidelines and validation requirements for a national approach - Waterlines report No 26, March 2010
Reviews the institutional requirements for approving re-use schemes and provides guidance for regulators, policy makers and practitioners in implementing the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling.
Requirements for the installation of rainwater and greywater systems in Australia - Waterlines report No 10 - November 2008
A 'how to guide' that will help Australian households boost their re-use of stormwater and greywater.
Emerging trends in desalination: A review - Waterlines report No 9 - October 2008
Reviews the latest research and emerging trends in desalination technology from across the globe.
Approaches to urban water pricing - Waterlines report No 7 - July 2008
Assesses three broad alternative approaches to charging for urban water services.
Using recycled water for drinking - Waterlines Report No 2, June 2007
Explores the use of recycled water to supplement drinking water supplies in Australian towns and cities.
The cost-effectiveness of rainwater tanks in urban Australia - Waterlines Report No 1 - March 2007
A review of the cost efficiency of installing rainwater tanks as a substitute for reticulated or 'scheme' water use.
Other publications
Urban water in Australia: future directions - April 2011
Calls for Australian governments to consider new directions to reinvigorate the way Australia manages water in its cities and towns.
ICON water sensitive urban developments - December 2009
Evaluates existing icon water sensitive urban developments to identify gaps in knowledge and lessons learnt for future developments.
Guidelines for Evaluating Options for Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) - December 2009
Delivers on NWI commitment Clause 92i and provides practitioners, policy makers and planners with guidance to design, implement and safely regulate innovative approaches to water-sensitive urban development.
NWI Parties Review of Water Restrictions - September 2009
For the period ending August 2007, reviews permanent water restrictions, reviews and analyses temporary water restrictions, examines the direct costs and benefits of temporary water restrictions, and sets out restrictions cases studies.
Exploring the regulatory framework and governance of decentralised water management systems: a strata and community title perspective - September 2009
Explores the regulatory framework and governance issues associated with community-owned water.
Urban water markets - March 2009
Examines the range of market-based approaches to improve the efficiency of the urban water sector, including optimal water usage, delivery of required environmental and public health outcomes, and enhanced flexibility.
Review of urban water entitlements in Australia - March 2009
Examines urban water entitlements arrangements for existing, new and alternative water sources across Australia, and identifies policy principles and recommendations to underpin better water management outcomes.
From waste-d-water to pure water - by Jenifer Simpson - November 2008
Sponsored by the National Water Commission, explains why we should be confident that water recycling is a viable and sustainable option.
Investigates setting guidelines for chemicals in drinking water augmented with recycled water, source control and efficacy of treatment, monitoring, and exposure and public health surveillance.
Institutional and regulatory models for integrated urban water cycle management - March 2007
An issues and scoping paper developed by the Commission as part of the NWI requirement to review institutional and regulatory models to achieve integrated urban water cycle management and to develop guidelines in this area.
Stocktake of approaches to charging for water storage and delivery in the urban water sector - February 2007
Prepared by the Commission with assistance from the Steering Group on Water Charging
Fact sheets
Recycled water fact sheet - October 2007
Sets out some of the advantages and disadvantages of using recycled water for drinking and other purposes.
Desalinated water fact sheet - October 2007
Sets out some of the advantages and disadvantages of using desalinated water.
Rainwater tanks and stormwater fact sheet - October 2007
Sets out some of the advantages and disadvantages of using rainwater tanks and storm water.