Securing a better water future for remote Indigenous communities
Media release - 19 October 2009
The CEO of the National Water Commission, Mr Ken Matthews, today launched a practical field guide to help remote Indigenous communities improve the way they manage their drinking water supplies.
Announcing the field guide at the launch of National Water Week 2009 at Parliament House, Mr Matthews said, 'The theme of this year's National Water Week, Securing Our Water Future, is an important one.
'I am pleased today to be able to take this opportunity to highlight an example of the National Water Commission's work to help secure the water future of one of our most disadvantaged groups - remote Indigenous communities.
'In Australia, our health and remote water supply agencies have long recognised that the operational management of drinking water supplies for remote Indigenous communities is a significant factor contributing to poor health.
'That's why the National Water Commission decided to fund a project to provide on-ground assistance to communities to help them maintain their water supply and minimise health risks.
'The package is made up of a series of posters and worksheets that can be adapted to suit the individual drinking water supply system for any remote Indigenous community within Australia.'
Mr Matthews explained, 'What's really important about this resource is that it focuses on operational activities to prevent water supply contamination rather than corrective action after an event occurs.'
The final field guide has been tested during field trials and reviewed by water industry experts. Made up of a series of full-colour posters with a supporting manual, the kits will be mailed to every remote Indigenous community in Australia. Additional documentation and resources will be available through the Internet.
Mr Matthews said, 'The National Water Commission is working with health and water management agencies in our states and territories to promote the take up of the guides in almost 1,200 remote Indigenous communities across Australia over the next two years'.
The Community Water Planner Field Guide was developed by the Centre for Appropriate Technologies under guidance from Water Quality Research Australia.
More information about the project is available here.
Note: the field guide is not yet printed in sufficient numbers for distribution. Request a copy.
Media contact: Lynne Griffiths, Director Communication and Parliamentary Liaison
02 6102 6023 / 0412 786 945