Outcome: Optimal use of water
Optimal use of water resources will be achieved through sound water resource use allocation and management balanced across the state's social, economic development, and environmental needs. The outcome of this service ensures the continued growth and economic prosperity of the state while ensuring the environment is protected.
The department ensures the optimal use of water through:
- regulating the use of water, with licence allocations and conservation and efficiency measures appropriate to the nature and scale of water use
- making water available only within the capacity of the water resource system to be maintained
- supporting the restricted and efficient use of domestic bores in suitable areas, and other household water saving measures, to offset the use of public supply
- encouraging water use sectors to develop and adopt voluntary, cost effective, efficiency and recycling measures.
Outcome: Adequate water for urban environments:
The department administers policies and regulations of water services to achieve safe and efficient and competitive services that meet our social needs.
The department also promotes the development of water sensitive towns and cities to maximise the community's values and amenity from urban water resources.
The department ensures adequate water for urban environments by:
- regulating water service providers, such as Water Corporation and Harvey Water, to plan ahead to provide safe and secure water for customers
- protecting and recovering the water quality of public water supply sources
- ensuring that urban drainage and flood management optimise available resources for urban use
- recognising a drying climate and driving water efficiency and recycling initiatives to maintain a reasonable quality of life with as little as water as possible.