The project is funded by the Australian Government ($336,000), the Western Australia Government ($90,000) and the University of Western Australia ($60,000). Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.
The project will test new approaches for monitoring and improving drinking water quality in the Gascoyne region (pictured) and 2 other regions.
Project overview
Many remote communities in Western Australia (WA) rely on groundwater as their water supply. Groundwater resources can naturally have elevated levels of salts and metals.
This project will test low technology ways to provide safe water to remote First Nations communities. These communities could immediately use these technologies to access safe drinking water while longer-term solutions are underway.
Testing new approaches for monitoring and improving drinking water quality, includes:
- accessible water chemistry test kits to screen water quality
- domestic-scale freeze filtration, for reducing levels of common heavy metals.
The project will apply these approaches in different conditions to test their suitability for use in:
- Pilbara
- Gascoyne
- Goldfields.
Laboratory analysis will also test the efficacy of the domestic-scale freeze-filtration.
The project will partner with communities to focus on solutions that are:
- practical
- suited to many different areas
- sustainable.
This will empower communities to:
- test water quality and maintain water systems themselves
- avoid using expensive alternatives, where servicing is often infrequent and difficult.
The project aims to provide clean drinking water faster than standard water infrastructure projects. Two-way communication on water security and safety will also improve water literacy.
Key project benefits
Learn more
- Find out about our Science Program
- Learn about water in Australia
- Find out about First Nations water infrastructure projects