Australia's Urban Water Management

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Terms of Reference (PDF format)
Committee Membership
Executive Summary and Recommendations

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION (PDF format)
Terms of reference
Conduct of the inquiry
Acknowledgments
The report
The water cycle
Disruptions to the natural water cycle by cities and urban centres
Defining ecologically sustainable water use
Australia’s water resources
Overview of Australia’s urban water supplies
Extent of water use
Categories of urban users
Water quality standards
Conclusions

CHAPTER 2 - WATER SUPPLY (PDF format)
Introduction
Urban water supplies in context
Threats to water quality
Catchment quality
Groundwater supplies
Other sources of water
Water treatment
Future dilemmas: finding extra supplies
Conclusions

CHAPTER 3 - THE OPTIONS Part 1 (PDF format) and Part 2 (PDF format)
Introduction
Demand management
Conclusions
Water reuse and recycling
Education
Information systems
Knowledge

CHAPTER 4 - STORMWATER (PDF format)
Introduction
Problems with stormwater
Best practice stormwater management
Water sensitive urban design
Conclusions

CHAPTER 5 - EFFLUENT (PDF format)
Introduction
Treatment systems
Sources of water pollution from urban areas
Effects of pollution – receiving waters
Options for improved effluent management
Conclusions

CHAPTER 6 - INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND POLICY (PDF format)
Introduction
Commonwealth legislation and powers.
Commonwealth water policy
COAG Water Reform Framework and the National Competition Policy
Commonwealth funding programs
The problem of fragmentation.
The problem of managing risk and liability
Principles for system reform
Institutional reform options
Legislative and policy solutions
Enforcement of legal standards
Making informed choices – ratings schemes
Accreditation of people
The Commonwealth as underwriter
Funding options – rebates, grants and subsidies

CHAPTER 7 - ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS (PDF format)
Introduction
Factoring in externalities
Pricing
Solutions
Conclusions

APPENDIX 1 (PDF format)
List of Submissions

APPENDIX 2 (PDF format)
Witnesses at Public Hearings

APPENDIX 3 (PDF format)
Exhibits

APPENDIX 4 (PDF format)
Overview of Commonwealth Institutions, Agencies and Programs

APPENDIX 5 (PDF format)
Site Visits, Inspections and Informal Briefings

APPENDIX 6 (PDF format)
References

APPENDIX 7 (PDF format)
Summary of Key Reports, Inquiries and Studies

AUSTRALIA’S URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (PDF format)
Government members Report

To download the complete report (PDF format 1.39MB)