The Department of Water's core business is to manage the State's groundwater and surface water resources and ensure adequate water services. It does this through adherence to sustainable development principles and a range of activities that include measurement, allocation and regulation.
The department is involved in measurement and allocation of the state's water resources. It sets the rules for the extraction of water, management of waterways and for water service providers. These roles are supported by legislation.
The department delivers its services state-wide through a network of regional offices. These integrate the department's many water services.
The department will redefine and simplify its delivery focus around the three key service areas as shown opposite by the interlinking circles:
- Water resource use
- Urban water management and services
- Waterways health.
Water resource use encompasses activities that ensure water resources are not used in a way that results in unacceptable social, environmental and economic impacts. Water allocation evaluates the water values and yield available for a water body, and then allocates it to consumptive and non-consumptive uses.
Urban water management and services includes activities such as water drainage, drinking water source protection, planning to optimise available resources for urban use, water efficiency and recycling, as well as policy and regulation of water services.
Waterways health focuses on the adequate protection of the state's waterways and catchments, including salinity management, river management and recovery programs.
These service areas are supported by:
- water resource assessment, measurement and science
- planning and policy for both water resources and services
- regional management and integration of delivery of services
- corporate service functions.