Water in Remote Communities
Improving Water Security in Remote Communities
Community consultation identified a need for action on improving water security for remote Aboriginal communities in the NT. This included improvements to communication from Government and water service providers on drinking water quality and quantity issues, health guidelines and future plans for improvements including planned infrastructure upgrades.
In response, Priority Action 3 ‘Improved water security for remote communities’ under the Territory Water Plan commits the NT Government to the following activities:
- Delivering water information forums in remote communities.
- Developing and publishing a priority water infrastructure list for remote communities.
- Partnering with the National Water Grid Authority (NWGA) to fund needed remote water infrastructure to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure in remote communities.
To deliver on these commitments, the NT Government has established a Remote Water Team (RWT) made up of water quality, infrastructure and engagement experts from across the NT Government. Including the following agencies:
- Department of Lands, Planning and Environment (DLPE) – Office of Water Security
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development (DHLGCD)
- Department of Health (DoH)
- Power and Water Corporation (PWC)
The Remote Water Team
The Remote Water Team are focused on improving water security for remote communities across the NT through:
- Community engagement and information forums
Deliver water information forums to engage with communities and share information about water quality, security and infrastructure investment. Develop and share information resources to support community awareness of their water. - Water infrastructure prioritisation
Develop and publish a remote community water infrastructure priority list. - Acceleration of water infrastructure investment
Partner with the National Water Grid Fund to accelerate delivery of water supply upgrades and expansions (over and above the existing capital program delivery).
Snapshot of our current work
The Remote Water Team are focused on improved water security for remote communities. The below map shows a snapshot of the water information forums.