National Database for Climate Resilient Water Sources


	Information and Knowledge

Climate resilient water sources play an important part in mitigating the risks of variability in climate. Australia’s water supply capacity has expanded with the use of alternative water sources, including recycled water and desalinated water. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) had detailed maps showing Australia’s surface water storage capacity and volume for all major cities, but these maps did not include climate resilient water sources. This project collected data on water production from sources such as recycled and desalinated water schemes, and used it to develop a web portal and interactive maps of Australia’s climate resilient water sources.

WORK UNDERTAKEN AND OUTCOMES TO DATE

Data on the location, treatment system, production capacity, actual production, and end uses of water supplied from over 480 desalination and recycled water plants across Australia has been collated. A comprehensive database and website was developed with maps and visualisations of national percentage contributions and volumes of supply sources. The database and website is a dynamic tool, that allows for regular updates to the database to be incorporated.

ADOPTION AND IMPACT

An online portal, database and the CReWS website will be hosted and maintained by BOM long-term. The national interactive maps and visualisations generated from the data will be valuable for water utilities, government water managers, councils and the public to monitor the supply of recycled and desalinated water in Australia. The database can collect annual water compliance reporting by the states and can be used by authorities to benchmark, compare and plan a range of water sources.

PROJECT PARTNERS
Lead organisation:	Bureau of Meteorology
Partner organisations:	Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
	National Centre of Excellence in Desalination Australia

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