Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Water Wise works in Torres Strait
Torres Strait islands have fragile water supplies that depend heavily on top-ups from rainfall. If the primary water reserves run out the only options are limited emergency-barged water and water produced from portable sea-water desalination units.
The cost to supply barged water is $14 per kilolitre (about 26 times the national average) and desalinated water is $7 per kilolitre (about 10 times the national average).
Recycling and reuse are part of the answer, so a new project is helping people develop a better understanding of how to manage natural resources sustainably.
Funding
Work is funded with $130,000 from the Australian Government and support from the State Government.
Project Manager Stuart Duncan said the artificial catchment water supplies on the outer islands are totally dependent on annual rainfall, with very limited underground freshwater available for drinking.
"Typically, community water supplies are not monitored at the household level so there is need to raise awareness about personal water consumption habits," he said.
"The water cycle and dependency of all species upon it is poorly understood. For example, most people are not aware of the link between the shrinking of freshwater lenses through overuse and the wear and tear of trees on the shoreline.
"In many communities the level of water consumption may be minimised by changing household behavior to improve sustainable water use, recycling and reuse of grey water by Councils, households, and community organisations."
Activities
The first step is to review relevant information about water cycle, supply and consumption in Torres Strait communities and environments, which will be collated into Council Water Use Profiles.
A Torres Strait 'Water Wise' brand will be developed through a school-based competition to raise awareness along with a draft education package with options for communities and supporting agencies to consider.
Training and support for 45 Water Officers will also be available and awareness signs will be placed outside Council headquarters and Horn Island airport.
Ultimately there will be 17 sustainable water use strategies developed in collaboration with Island Councils, incorporating an analysis of the cost of water, water use patterns and water conservation strategies.
Meetings will be held for interested communities to develop funding proposals for water-saving initiatives such as the Australian Government Community Water Grants. The project is run through the Torres Strait Regional Authority's Land & Sea Management Unit, the Island Coordinating Council Infrastructure Support Unit and their team of local Water Officers.
More information
- Miya Isherwood, Regional Facilitator: (07) 4069 2957 or miya.isherwood@tsra.gov.au
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