A government-owned holding company with interests in providing water, wastewater, natural gas, telecommunications and energy services to the people of Canberra and beyond.

Australian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage

Australian Water Association – a professional membership organisation that promotes the responsible management of water and its related resources.

A NSW Government program to ensure new homes are designed and built to use less potable water and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Wastewater from the bathroom / toilet that contains faecal matter. Blackwater also refers to water used in the laundry to wash nappies and other materials with faecal contamination.

Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (NSW) - dedicated to sustainable, safe, reliable and affordable supply and use of energy and urban water in NSW.

Control of harmful micro-organisms in potable water supplies, often by applying chlorine or ultraviolet light.

Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment - responsible for managing Tasmania's natural resources, including water.

Department of Sustainability and Environment – responsible for setting policies in relation to the environment, including water and water use, in Victoria.

Wastewater that flows from a site. This term is often used in relation to wastewater that flows from a sewage treatment works.

Environment Protection Authority (Vic, NSW, SA, WA)
Environment Protection Agency (Qld)

A screen that removes particulate matter from water. Often combined with a disinfection or chemical process to remove other harmful pollutants from water.

The first run-off resulting from a rain event. This water is often high in pollutants which have been gathering during the dry period between rains. This term is often used in relation to rainwater tanks, where a ‘first flush diverter’ allows the first rainfall to be directed to stormwater rather than the storage tank.

A design and building standard applicable to all new homes in Victoria. The standard includes passive and active requirements, including use of the sun, choice of materials, site choice, windows, heating and cooling and water management.

The volume of water that flows within a given unit of time. (ie. litres per minute or hour for most domestic products)

Water that is discharged from household appliances and fixtures in the laundry, kitchen or bathroom - with the exception of wastewater containing faecal matter (ie. after washing nappies).

The Irrigation Association of Australia

The application of water to plants to promote growth via hoses, sprinklers and drip systems.

1,000 litres or 1 cubic metre

1,000 millilitres (mL) or
1,000 cubic centimetres (10cm x 10cm x 10cm)

Municipal Association of Victoria – the peak body representing and lobbying for Victoria’s 79 local councils.

1 million litres (1,000,000 L) - approximately equivalent to the amount of water held by an Olympic sized swimming pool

The National Australian Built Environment Rating System - a rating system for existing commercial or residential buildings based on the buiding's measured operational impacts on the environment.

Department of Natural Resources, Environment and The Arts. Responsible for conserving, monitoring and ensuring that Northern Territory's resources, including water, are used sustainably.

Plant food source – generally refers to the levels of phosphorous and nitrogen when related to water.

Water with a quality suitable for drinking.

Water that condenses and falls from the atmosphere (ie. rain, snow, hail, sleet)

Water harvested (or collected) from rainfall or other precipitation for use in domestic or commercial operations.

Water taken from a wastewater stream that is treated and reused. The level of treatment and quality of resultant water is dependent on the intended use.

Water supplied via a series of pipelines to areas of consumption. Often referred to as ‘mains supply’.

Install fittings or appliances onto existing buildings or systems (ie. adding a rainfall sensor to an existing sprinkler system)

The water left over from rainfall and other precipitation that flows over the land into waterways.

The water utility, wholly owned by the Government of South Australia, responsible for delivering water and wastewater services to the people of South Australia.

A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of water conservation practices and products. Supported by local water authorities to encourage behavioural change in relation to water use in the community.

Reliability of having enough water to supply the needs of the user. Can be applied on a catchment / population-wide basis, often in relation to storage dam capacity, or to an individual property when rainwater tanks are used to supply water or supplement an existing supply.

Waste matter generated by the community that is transported via the sewer for treatment.

The arrangement of pipes and facilities that collect, remove, transport, treat and dispose of liquid waste.

Run-off that is transported, (via drains in built-up areas), untreated, to waterways.

Water applied by gravity across the soil surface by flooding or small channels (i.e., basins, borders, paddies, furrows, rills, corrugations) to water crops.

Victorian Water Industry Association - The peak body representing the water industry in Victoria.

An authority or council charged with supplying water to towns and cities for domestic and commercial use. (ie. There are 3 metropolitan and 15 regional water authorities in Victoria, while in NSW, local councils are generally charged with water supply and treatment for urban areas)
Sometimes also called a Water Business.

Providers of water and wastewater services to the city of Perth and hundreds of towns and communities spread over 2.5 million square kilometres. They also provide drainage and irrigation services to thousands of households, businesses and farms across Western Australia.

Membership based organisation which provides support and advice on water and sewerage matters. Membership is open to councils and county councils providing water supply and/or sewerage services to local government areas in NSW.

Membership based organisation providing technical membership services to local government water industry professionals in Queensland.

A term used to describe, as a group, the providers of water supply and wastewater treatment services to domestic and commercial users.

Generally refers to rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs – or similar water courses and storages.

Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme - a compulsory six star rating system for water using appliances (similar to the existing energy rating star labels). Applies to showerheads, washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, urinals and some taps. Labels are being phased in from 2005 to 2008, after 1 January 2008 the labels are compulsory for all products listed above.

Water Services Association of Australia – the peak body of the Australian urban water industry.

A term often used to describe water efficient gardening techniques or gardens.