Water is the source of all life. It sustains our environment, has strong spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal people, grows our crops and lets us wash, garden, fish and swim.
Using water efficiently all year round to ensure we have water for years to come is everyone’s responsibility. Territorians use twice the amount of water that residents in other capital cities across Australia use, and this puts undue stress on the water supply.
This section of the website is about providing information, tools and resources to assist all Territorians in deciding and implementing our water future.
In Darwin, people use twice as much water as those living in other Australian capital cities. That makes us some of the biggest water users in Australia.
Water is a finite resource, despite the fact that our annual drenching rain lulls us into thinking Darwin River Dam is bottomless. Although the Top End isn’t currently facing water shortages, now is the time for people to start thinking about conserving water by using it more efficiently.
With a rapidly growing population, long dry months, high evaporation, and high water use, Darwin faces some tough decisions about how we value water, how efficiently we use it, what we are prepared to pay for it, and where we will find future supplies.
In Alice Springs, people use twice as much water as people living in most Australian capital cities. That makes us possibly the biggest water users in Australia.
Many in the centre mistakenly believe that there is a guaranteed ongoing water supply because water comes from underground. But the water supply is actually finite and, with climate change likely to impact on rainfall patterns, there is a need to develop new water habits – especially as the population grows. Otherwise, we could face water shortages in the future.
Power and Water Corporation provides water, sanitation and energy services to 72 regional and remote communities across the Territory.
Water is fundamental to the cultural heritage and healthy livelihoods of our Indigenous communities. Water is an important component of the standard of living in these communities and needs to be carefully managed by both Power and Water and the community.
Our interactive house helps you estimate your home water use and get some suggestions about using water more efficiently. It should take you less than five minutes to complete.
At the end you will be shown a breakdown of your water use compared to the Northern Territory average. Handy and practical ideas will also be available to help you reduce water use and save money and the environment.
