2.4 The need for multi-agency involvement

Restructuring of the water industry in Australia over recent years has increasingly transferred catchment and water resource management to agencies other than drinking water suppliers. These agencies may include water resource departments, natural resource and environment departments, agriculture departments, local governments, planning authorities, catchment water management boards, and community-based interest groups and organisations.

In some cases, restructuring has extended to dividing the traditional functions associated with the supply of drinking water, so that separate agencies are responsible for bulk water supply, water treatment and water reticulation. In addition, regulation of drinking water quality can take various forms. Health authorities generally take a leading role in regulation; however, in some areas, specific water regulators may be established.

The Framework is intended to apply from catchment to consumer; as such, it addresses the necessity of inter-agency involvement. Drinking water suppliers are responsible for the quality of drinking water delivered to consumers and accordingly must show leadership in application of the Framework; however, implementation will generally require coordination and consultation with other agencies.

The range of agencies involved in individual water supply systems will need to be determined. Relevant agencies need to be encouraged to recognise their roles and responsibilities within the Framework, and to support drinking water suppliers through partnership agreements. The breadth and depth of partnership arrangements between agencies and the mechanisms by which they operate will vary between different jurisdictions, depending on the division of responsibilities and legislative authorities. If possible, a state- or territory-wide commitment to drinking water quality management and a formal coordination of responsible agencies should be developed (see Box 2.1).

Even where commitments and partnership agreements with other agencies are difficult to establish, the Framework should still be implemented. Gradually, as partnerships with other agencies are established, the Framework can be further improved and a more integrated approach developed.

Box 2.1

Application of the Framework in Western Australia

In Western Australia, drinking water quality management is a shared responsibility between the Water and Rivers Commission (WRC) and the Water Corporation of Western Australia (WCWA). The WRC is responsible for administration of catchment and source protection legislation; the WCWA is the major licensed drinking water supplier responsible for the collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water to consumers. Other key agencies in the supply of drinking water are the regulators, including the relevant health authority or drinking water regulator, which provides interpretation and guidance on potential health impacts of drinking water quality.

A variation to the application of the Framework that is proposed by Western Australia is to apply the Framework at the state level using a whole-of-government approach, with each agency responsible for implementing the Framework within its areas of control and consulting with relevant partnership agencies. This approach requires a high level of commitment by all agencies, clear definition of accountabilities and responsibilities within the Framework, and increased communication and coordination of planning and management activities.

Under these circumstances, the WRC would be the lead agency to implement the catchment aspects of the Framework, with the WCWA a significant stakeholder. Downstream of the catchment, WCWA would be responsible for implementing the Framework in its areas of control. It is proposed that the Western Australian Department of Health, as the agency with responsibility for protecting public health, will have a key coordinating role in ensuring effective implementation and operation of the Framework.