Additional resources for community water planning

The advice and resources on this page have been provided for public information and to assist the water sector with community water planning in the absence of official NHMRC advice. 

The advice and resources link to state, national and international information on water planning, which was previously available on the community water planner. Please read our Disclaimer for more information. For further information on community water planning issues please contact your state or territory health authority or drinking water regulator.

Australian Water Association (AWA)

AWA is the peak body representing water professionals in Australia. Independent and not-for-profit, AWA promotes sustainable water management through collaboration, advocacy and professional development. The AWA website includes a range of relevant publications as well as specialist networks on various water related issues.

Centre for Appropriate Technologies (CAT)

The Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) works to secure sustainable livelihoods for communities of Indigenous people through appropriate technology. CAT provides information, knowledge and practical services across a range of areas including energy, housing and infrastructure, water, waste, telecommunications, transport and technical skills development. CAT utilises evidence based and applied problem solving approaches to assist communities of Indigenous people to access the information, services and skills required to live safe and happy lives.

• CAT: Harvesting Rainwater that falls on country - Planning for rainwater tanks in remote Australia (PDF)
• CAT: How to look after your rainwater - Pictorial Manual (PDF)
• CAT: Remote Controlled Waste - An Introduction to Waste Management and Appropriate Technology in Remote Aboriginal Communities (PDF)
• CAT: Bush Tech #3 - Operation Desert Stormwater Harvesting (PDF)
• CAT: Bush Tech #4 - Rainwater Harvesting (PDF)
• CAT: Bush Tech #17 - Landfill Design (PDF)
• CAT: Bush Tech #19 - Maintaining your tip (PDF)
• CAT: Bush Tech #21 - Water Bores (PDF)
• CAT: Bush Tech #22 - Used Oil (PDF)
• CAT: Bush Tech #24 - Managing liquid fuel risk  (PDF)
• CAT: Bush Tech #35- Protecting your Water Places (PDF)

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment works to protect and strengthen our agriculture, water resources, the environment and our heritage.

• Blue-green algae and Commonwealth Environmental Water
• Chemicals Management
• Review of the application of landfill standards
• Water Policy and Resources

Department of Health

The Department of Health develop and deliver policies and programs and advise the Australian Government on health, aged care and sport.

• Environmental Health Practitioner Manual - A resource manual for Environmental Health Practitioners working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (PDF)
• Guidance on the Use of Rainwater Tanks

International Water Association (IWA)

The International Water Association is a global reference point for water professionals, spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle. The IWA website includes a range of relevant publications as well as specialist networks on various water related issues.

• IWA: Bonn Charter for Safe Drinking Water

Ministry of Health New Zealand

The Ministry of Health New Zealand is responsible for the development of policy and monitoring procedures to achieve safe drinking water supplies and effective sanitation.

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/environmental-health/drinking-water

• A Framework on How to Prepare and Develop Water Safety Plans for Drinking-water Supplies
• Pathogens and Pathways, and Small Drinking-water Supplies
• Public Health Risk Management Plan Guides for Drinking Water Supplies: Water Safety Plan Guides for Drinking Water Supplies
• Small Drinking-water Supplies - New Zealand Ministry of Health

National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide

The National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide has been compiled by the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). The Guide provides practical guidance on installing and maintaining infrastructure that is appropriate and sustainable for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It will assist people working with infrastructure in Indigenous communities –community managers, essential service officers, government officers, planners, service providers, contractors and the communities themselves.

• National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide - Community Involvement (PDF)
• National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide - Energy (PDF)
• National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide - Storm Water (PDF)
• National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide - Telecommunications (PDF)
• National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide - Transport (PDF)
• National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide - Waste (PDF)
• National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide - Waste Water  (PDF)
• National Indigenous Infrastructure Guide - Water  (PDF)
• Remote Community Water Management (PDF)

North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd (NAILSMA)

NAILSMA are currently working on a broad range of projects with Traditional Owners, remote communities and land and sea management practitioners through collaborative and scientific partnerships across north Australia.

Operation & Maintenance Network

The Operation and Maintenance Network (OMN) aims to raise awareness of O&M practices, and help improve the performance and efficiency of water and sanitation systems. The Network focuses on not only on core technological issues, but a series of cross-cutting elements such as design, performance, training and promotional materials, institutions and management, community involvement and monitoring. This website and the tools found here are designed to promote information and expertise exchange on this crucial topic.

Specialised State Government Water Websites

State Government regulate and legislate water requirements for their state. In addition, they are a source of publications and fact sheets.

• Guidelines for the Siting, Design and Management of Solid Waste Disposal Sites In the Northern Territory (PDF) (NT Environmental Protection Agency)
• Protect our Waters, Protect our Health - guide (VIC Department of Health)
• Stormwater information (Environmental Protection Authority Victoria)

United States Government Water websites

United States Government water information websites.

• Sanitary Survey Guidance Manual for Groundwater Systems (United States Environmental Protection Agency)
• Sanitary Surveys of Drinking Water Systems (Washington State Department of Health)

Water Research Australia (WaterRA)

Water Research Australia (WaterRA) is a national research centre established to succeed the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment. WaterRA undertakes collaborative research of national application on drinking water quality, recycled water and relevant areas of wastewater management. The main focus of the research program is on urban water issues related to public health and acceptability aspects of water supply, water recycling and aspects of waste water management. WaterRA also has an Education Program, utilising the most successful elements of the CRC Program.

• Blue-Green Algae: Their Significance and Management Within Water Supplies
• Chemicals of Concern in Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent: State of the Science in Australia 
• Disinfection By-Products and Health Effects
• Natural Organic Matter in Drinking Water: Problems and Solutions
• Public Health Aspects Of Rainwater Tanks In Urban Australia

WaterRA: Health Stream Newsletter

Health Stream is the public health newsletter of Water Research Australia. This website provides a searchable archive of the Health Stream newsletters which contain a wide range of information and analysis for water and health professionals.

Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA)

Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) is the peak body of the Australian urban water industry and has offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Its 34 members and 26 associate members provide water and wastewater services to approximately 16 million Australians and many of Australia's largest industrial and commercial enterprises. WSAA was formed in 1995 to provide a forum for debate on issues of importance to the urban water industry and to be a focal point for communicating the industry's views.

• WSAA Demand Management Guideline 2008 (PDF)

World Health Organisation (WHO)

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.who.int/topics/drinking_water/en/

• Arsenic, drinking-water and health risk substitution in arsenic mitigation: A discussion paper (PDF)
• Chemical hazards in drinking water (list of fact sheets)
• Chemical safety of drinking-water: assessing priorities for risk management
• Domestic water quantity, service level and health (PDF)
• Guidelines for drinking-water quality - Chemical fact sheets
• Technical Notes on WASH in Emergencies
• Toxic cyanobacteria in water: A guide to their public health consequences, monitoring and management 
• Water Safety Plan Manual: Step-by-step risk management for drinking-water suppliers
• WSPortal: health through water
• Water treatment and pathogen control: Process efficiency in achieving safe drinking water