Posted 15 August 2008
New research by the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre has found that remote Aboriginal communities are much better at managing their water supply to keep it safe and clean if they are given the responsibility of looking after it and setting their own goals.
In fact, a two-year investigation by Desert Knowledge CRC researchers shows, a long legacy of water management decisions for remote settlements taken by bureaucracies far away has stifled initiative in some settlements, despite plenty of local skills being available.
"The key lies in giving residents of a settlement the responsibility for looking after their own water and allowing them to put into practice their own water management plans," says Robyn Grey-Gardner, who headed the project.
Another important aspect is to allow desert settlements to use the new approach of 'risk management' instead of trying to force them to meet the impossibly high water standards required in coastal cities, she says. Risk management involves testing water, managing it to prevent various kinds of contamination, making regular checks and moving quickly to deal with any problems.
There are 905 'outstations' or remote Aboriginal settlements with a population of less than 50 across desert Australia. However, studies have shown that people living on these enjoy better health and suffer fewer degenerative diseases than those in larger settlements and towns.
Most of these settlements depend on a shallow bore, well, rainwater tank or dam to supply their household water. The water is naturally seldom of the standard expected in urban Australia.
"In the desert, if a sophisticated water purification system breaks down, there is rarely anyone who lives locally who can fix it, and it may stay broken for weeks or even months. You need something that is simple, robust and manageable," Ms Grey-Gardner says.
"In the desert, people are very aware of the need to manage water supplies, and consequently they pay closer attention to their water supply than do city-dwellers. This means it is easier to adopt a risk management approach, which requires a constant eye on things.
"And finally it is more economic to prioritise and target the big risks, rather than trying to run a costly but vulnerable system that produces perfect water."
The DKCRC study was carried out in five remote settlements in Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia. Ms Grey-Gardner says they all participated enthusiastically in developing their own water management plans, and in some cases every single member of the community was involved.
"We found that the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines' Framework for the Management of Drinking Water Quality was applicable to remote settlement water management, and that the Community Water Planner devised by the National Health and Medical Research Council provided a good way to get residents involved."
Ms Grey-Gardner says a focus on the residents of a settlement is essential for a water management plan to work. By allowing them to identify and prioritise their needs, the sort of engagement is built up which allows the community to take charge of its own water management safely and effectively.
"Everybody who took part said they learned something about how to look after water, mainly through discussions. This is immensely valuable, when all residents in the settlement feel they have an involvement - and quite the opposite of what goes on with water in cities.
"We also found there was a lot more knowledge and skill in how to manage water in these settlements than expected - but it wasn't being put to use under the old system. The new approach ensures that it will be."
The DKCRC community water study conclusions include:
More information:
Robyn Grey-Gardner, DKCRC, 0408 825 727, robyngg@ozemail.com.au
Jan Ferguson, Managing Director, DKCRC, 08 8959 6036 or 0401 719 882
Adj. Prof. Julian Cribb, DKCRC media, 0418 639 245
Source: Desert Knowledge CRC web site
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