Why drinking water management is importantA safe and reliable water supply is the most important daily service a council provides for its community. Without water that is fit to drink, the community can't exist. Careful management of the community's water supplies is needed to ensure that people have enough clean water for their needs now, and in the future.
A water supply service that is not properly managed can carry serious diseases and breed mosquitoes.
People need enough safe water to wash regularly. The Indigenous Communities Environmental Health website lists ten principles for healthy living in remote Indigenous communities. The first on the list is the need for the hands and faces of children to be washed regularly. Regular washing, especially for children under five years, will prevent or reduce the four most common childhood illnesses, which are:
If water has a bad taste, people are less likely to drink it, even if it is safe. If people don't drink water regularly, they can become dehydrated, especially in tropical areas. Good quality drinking water is vital for the health of the whole community.
The council and EHW need to be aware of blue-green algae in water that the community draws from a river, creek or dam. These algae occur naturally but when they 'bloom' (grow and spread), they can create enough toxins (poisons) to harm people and animals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has fact sheets on water, health and disease.
If the local water supply is not properly managed, a community can run out of water. This is a real risk for some communities in the dry season, especially during a drought. While councils should provide enough water for their community's needs, individuals in the community also have a responsibility to save water wherever they can.
A well managed supply of clean, safe water can make a difference to the quality of people's lives. Community water supplies can be used in a council swimming pool. Fresh or recycled water can be used to green up playing fields, control dust or care for gardens in public areas. People can get a lot of pleasure from their private gardens, which need a reliable supply of water. These water uses add to people's feeling of wellbeing and community pride. Councils and EHWs need to manage supplies so that water is available to meet community needs.
Getting the community involved in managing local water supplies wisely will make the available water go a lot further. The following are links to water management, conservation, and growing plants in hot dry areas:
Other languages