The Department of Water operates in an environment that requires a modern adaptive and responsive management approach to achieve outcomes.
Water management is delivered at four levels:
- nationally
- state-wide
- regionally
- locally.
The department has made solid progress implementing Australian Government and state water reforms. This work has been enabled by additional resources, which have allowed the department to 'catch up' in relation to its work program.
The department contributes to national water reform programs through the Council of Australian Governments, the National Water Initiative, the Natural Heritage Trust and other national programs. It employs around 668 FTE staff with world-class scientific, regulatory, policy, financial and economic, water and land management, customer and stakeholder services and educational skills to deliver the following outcomes:
- optimal use of water resources
- healthy waterways
- adequate and efficient water services.
A description of the outcomes is provided in the table below.
| Outcome |
Description |
| Optimal use of water resources |
The optimal use of Western Australia's water resources, including non-rainfall dependent sources of water, ensures the continued growth and economic prosperity of the state while ensuring the environment is protected. |
| Healthy waterways |
Western Australia's growth and prosperity relies upon healthy waterways. Our rivers provide considerable recreation and amenity values for our communities and support important environmental systems. (tourism, recreation, attractive urban settings, ecological services, and cultural values.) |
| Adequate and efficient water services |
Water services are adequate, competitive, efficient and meet health and human needs, are used efficiently and recognise the economic, environmental and social consequences if these requirements are not met. |
Underpinning these outcomes are 10 priorities.
Download the Department of Water organisational chart.