Connectivity and water policy
Although the connectivity between groundwater and surface water resources has been acknowledged within Australian water policy for over forty years, historically there have been limited examples of implementing coordinated management. However, the joint management of groundwater and surface water resources has become a greater priority over the last decade. The key policy drivers where connectivity has become an emerging issue relate to water quantity (water security; allocation), water quality (stream salinisation) and ecosystem health.
This is reflected in the greater recognition of connectivity issues within the National Water Initiative (NWI) when compared with its predecessors in the COAG water reform agenda. One of the primary objectives of the NWI is to "recognise the connectivity between surface and groundwater resources and connected systems managed as a single resource" (NWI 2004, clause 23x).
Under the Australian constitution, natural resource management is the responsibility of the States and Territories, each of which has adopted water reform processes suitable for their jurisdictions resulting in different approaches in addressing connectivity at the policy level.
Water scarcity, allocation, water quality and ecosystem dependencies are global water issues. Many countries and organisations are also dealing with the challenge of integrating the management of surface water and groundwater resources. Of particular relevance are various initiatives associated with the concept of integrated water resource management (IWRM).
Further Information
Conjunctive water management
Guiding Principles
Policy Drivers
Australian national perspective
Australian State/Territory perspective
Integrated Water Resource Management
International perspective
References
NWI, 2004. Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative. Council of Australian Governments