Water Services Association Australia’s new report, Urban Water Update 2019: Drought, Growth and Liveability, reflects on a year dominated by severe drought, and explores future challenges and opportunities for Australia’s water industry.

WSAA recognises that the drought is having a devastating impact on rural communities, yet emphasises the importance of keeping sight on the longer-term challenges and opportunities facing the sector. It highlights how previous large investment desalination and water recycling during the Millennium Drought are now paying off to support diverse, resilient and secure water supplies.

The report identifies population growth, urbanisation and climate change as some of the major challenges facing the sector. In response the industry is seen to be broadening its vital role in improving the liveability and prosperity of our cities.

In this report, WSAA calls for:

• All water supply options on the table including desalination, dams, water efficiency and all forms of water recycling
• Integrating stormwater into the urban water cycle to reflect the role it can play in creating and maintaining liveable cities and communities
• Improved collaboration between Federal, State and local government agencies, water utilities and other stakeholders for long term water security planning that includes the latest science for climate change
• A new National Water Initiative that recognises future challenges

More information here