Water related issues such as water shortages, deteriorating water quality and increasing water-borne pathogens are being experienced across northern Australia and beyond. This is:

• stifling new development and threatening existing investments
• limiting the provision of potable water which in turn limits the provision of essential services such as housing
• negatively affecting human health and community capacity.

Many of these issues have been caused by a limited understanding of water sources, risks and system constraints, and are being exacerbated by changing climatic patterns and a lack of cross agency and cross-cultural coordination. Minimal investigation of alternative pathways and technologies to secure and manage water is adding to the problem.