Water for the environment
Gurra Gurra Wetlands
Photo Merran Williams
Water is an integral part of all our lives. We need water for human activities such as drinking, growing food, and recreation. These activities all depend on a healthy environment and the ecosystems within it. Healthy environments need water.
In the past the environmental value of water was often not recognised, or was taken for granted. With increasing water shortages, Australians are realising that water is important for many diverse functions, and should be protected and used wisely if we are to retain those things that we need and value as a society.
Water, available at appropriate times and of suitable quality and quantity, is vital to the ecological health of our environment.
The Australian Government is taking a lead role in managing water for the environment:
- environmental water management
- aquatic ecosystems
- estuaries
- groundwater
- rivers and basins
- wetlands
- water quality
- National Water Initiative
- Living Murray Initiative
- Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
See also
- Bureau of Meteorology - water information
- Coasts and oceans
- Lake Eyre Basin Agreement
- Living Murray Initiative
- Meteorological information for primary industry and natural resources management
- National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research
- National Framework for Improved Groundwater Management in Australia
- National Principles for the Provision of Water for Ecosystems
- Water for a Healthy Country Flagship
Key
Links to another web site
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