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Sanitation and Water Security in Australia

Student Name

Student ID

Course Name

Professor Name

July 26, 2024

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Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................4

2. DPSEEA Framework...................................................................................................................5

2.1 Driving Forces.......................................................................................................................5

2.2 Pressure..................................................................................................................................6

2.3 State of the Environment.......................................................................................................8

2.4 Exposures.............................................................................................................................10

2.5 Effects..................................................................................................................................10

2.6 Actions.................................................................................................................................11

3. Concept Map of DPSEEA Framework......................................................................................11

4. Vulnerable Population(s)...........................................................................................................12

5. Gaps in Management and Legislation.......................................................................................13

Government Policies and Regulations.......................................................................................13

Non-Governmental Sector Shortcomings..................................................................................14

6. Stakeholders...............................................................................................................................14

Roles of Health Agencies and Other Key Stakeholders............................................................14

Involvement of Community Groups and Critical Infrastructure...............................................15

7. Recommendations......................................................................................................................16

Evidence-Based Recommendations for Policy, Regulation, and Management.........................16

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8. References..................................................................................................................................18

9. Learning Journal........................................................................................................................20

1. Introduction

Australia has many problems with hygiene and water security. The country is known for

having a changing climate and a growing population. Because of the different landscapes and

frequent storms, it is important to ensure everyone has steady access to clean water and good
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cleaning. This will protect public health and keep the environment healthy. Water security is

more challenging to achieve in cities because of issues with infrastructure and the strain that

more people put on the systems already in place.

Nevertheless, places far away or in the middle of nowhere do not always have good

drains or easy access to clean water. They must take care of these issues. If people do not clean

up after themselves and the water supply is not steady, it can hurt their health and the

environment by letting diseases spread through the water. These issues can also hurt poorer

groups more than others, such as Native American towns and families with low incomes. It is

important to protect natural resources and work for health fairness by ensuring strong water and

cleaning systems (Cook & Bakker, 2016). The study's main goal is to give a full picture of

Australia's cleaning and water safety issues. It will look at the water system as it is now, rate how

well current rules and procedures are working, and look for ways to improve things. Researchers

will look into how current water security and cleaning measures impact public health as part of

the goals. They will also look into possible policy and technology solutions and develop ways to

make Australia's water management systems more durable and long-lasting.

2. DPSEEA Framework

2.1 Driving Forces

Population growth and urbanization: The country's water resources are being affected by its

fast population growth and development in a big way. In 2024, about 26 million people were
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living in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Many people moving to

places like Sydney and Melbourne increased the need for water (Australian Bureau of Statistics,

2024). Water supply systems are very stressed because so many people live in cities. They cannot

keep up with the rising demand. For example, Sydney's water use has increased, stressing its

water systems (Sydney Water, 2023). More growth in cities worsens this problem because it

blocks natural water catchments and makes fresh water less available.

Climate change and its impact on water resources: Australia's water security is in grave

danger because of climate change. Droughts happen more often and worsen when temperatures

rise and rain patterns change. The 2019-2020 bushfire season in Australia, often called "Black

Summer," showed how fragile water supplies are. Many areas had water problems that had never

been seen before (Bureau of Meteorology, 2020). Long droughts lower the amount of available

water, put stress on pool levels, and hurt crop yields, causing a loop of less water and higher

demand.
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Figure 1: The inter-annual and multiyear variability of streamflow in the Murray–Darling Basin

2.2 Pressure

Increased demand for water resources: The water demand is increasing due to the expanding

population and the growth of metropolitan areas. As an example, the development of

Melbourne's population has resulted in an increase in water demand of around 2% every year,

which has exceeded the capacity of the city's current water supply system (Water Melbourne,

2023). Demand is rising, which means that water supplies are being used up too quickly, and

urban water systems are under more stress, making it hard to meet everyone's needs.

Pollution and contamination of water sources: Pollution from places like farm waste,

factories, and trash in cities gets into Australia's water sources and makes them dirty. The water

quality in the Murray-Darling Basin, a major farming area, is very bad because of runoff,

including fertilizers and chemicals. Algal blooms are to blame for these issues because they

make the water less clean (Murray-Darling Basin Authority, 2022). There is a correlation

between the pollution created by industrial discharges and sewage, which are also contributors to

water pollution, and the contamination of surface water and groundwater sources (Bichai et al.,

2014).
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Figure 2: Growth in water use in Murray-Darling Basin since 1920

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Figure 3: Consumption of water in the agricultural sector in Australia

2.3 State of the Environment

Current status of water quality and availability: Water quality and access may not be the same

in all parts of Australia. It is common for distant places to suffer from water quality that is below

average, although the water quality in major cities is often better because of the available modern

treatment facilities. For example, Flint, Victoria, had serious problems with polluted drinking

water, which brought to light inequities in the management of water quality (Victorian Auditor-

General's Office, 2022). In terms of the availability of water, the Australian Water Resources

Assessment (2023) suggests that many locations, including portions of Western Australia, suffer

acute shortages due to decreased rainfall and excessive consumption.

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Evidence and data on water pollution and sanitation issues: According to the Australian

National Water Quality Management Strategy (2023), more than thirty percent of Australia's

rivers are impacted by poor water quality. This is mostly the result of runoff from agricultural

land and pollution from metropolitan areas. Furthermore, a significant number of rural villages

do not have proper sanitary facilities, which results in the degradation of the environment and the

danger to human health. According to reports, the presence of untreated sewage and insufficient

waste management in some regions contributes to local pollution problems (Australian Bureau of

Statistics, 2024).

Figure 4: Water balance vs Australian cities

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2.4 Exposures

Pathways through which the population is exposed to water contaminants: Toxins in water

can reach a population differently. This could be because of many things. The two types of

possible exposures are direct use of dirty drinking water and secondary exposure through leisure

activities in polluted water bodies. For example, swimming or fishing may put them at risk of

exposure to heavy metals or getting sick from dirty rivers. Water is often used in these tasks

(NSW Health, 2023). Indigenous and country people are often more at risk than other groups like

them because they cannot get clean water or use public toilets.

Impact of exposure on public health: Bad water can make them sick in many ways, like gut

bugs and long-term conditions. Diseases like cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in Australia have

been linked to dirty water. This shows how bad it is for people's health when water is improperly

cleaned (Australian Health Department, 2023).

2.5 Effects

Health effects such as waterborne diseases and related illnesses: In Australia, diseases that

are spread by water, like diarrhea, are a big problem because they can spread quickly through

dirty water sources. In 2022, dirty drinking water in Queensland made more than 500 people

sick. This showed how bad it is for public health when no water safety rules are in place

(Queensland Health, 2022). Pollution that lasts for a long time can also hurt health in the long

run, leading to things like cancer and kidney damage.

Additional environmental effects include ecosystem degradation: Too much water waste and

short-term bad water management hurt ecosystems. One way that pollution hurts sea life is by

making rivers and marshes dirty. This causes a loss of species. The Great Barrier Reef has been

hurt by trash and polluted water, which has caused coral bleaching and other environmental
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problems (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2023). Keeping the water systems healthy

and long-lasting is even harder when things like these happen naturally.

2.6 Actions

Current policies and measures to improve water security and sanitation: Australia's National

Water Initiative and the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines are two rules to ensure that water

is safe and clean. These systems aim to improve water management, make water better, and

ensure that resources are used in a way that does not harm the environment (Australian

Government, 2024). For instance, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan aims to fix the problem of too

much water provision and boost water quality in this important area (Garrick & Hall, 2014).

Effectiveness of these actions and areas for improvement: Even though these laws have

improved things, there are still problems. Gaps in implementation and uneven regulation can

make them less useful. For example, the fact that water quality and availability differ in cities

and rural places shows that they need more focused solutions. Improving infrastructure, putting

more money into water treatment plants, and filling in policy gaps are all important steps towards

more fair and long-lasting water management results.

3. Concept Map of DPSEEA Framework

A picture in the DPSEEA structure shows how moving forces, pressures, the

environment, inputs, impacts, and behaviors are connected. Pressures like more people needing

water and waste are caused by driving forces like population growth and climate change. The

State of the Environment is affected by these forces, which change the quality and quantity of

water. Exposures can happen directly through polluted water or other means. The Effects include

health problems like diseases that water spreads and damage to the earth. These effects and
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stresses are meant to be lessened by implementing policies. For example, the Murray-Darling

Basin Plan tries to fix water management issues caused by climate change and too much use. The

plan's goal is to make getting water easier and better.

4. Vulnerable Population(s)

People in Australia's indigenous towns and low-income city people are the groups most

touched by water and cleanliness problems. Toilets and clean water are hard for Indigenous

people to get to, especially in remote areas like Northern Australia. Bad water quality and a lack

of facilities have been problems for a long time in places like the Northern Territory and some

parts of Queensland. The health disparities are widened as a result of this. This is likewise the

case for the middle-class and lower-class urbanites in Western Sydney. They inhabit areas
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characterized by high pollution levels and older housing, increasing their susceptibility to the

disease. These communities lack the resources to address or mitigate the consequences of water

contamination and inadequate cleaning services. It is very uncommon for people to be forced to

consume water that is tainted with harmful toxins because they are at a higher socioeconomic

level than other people.

5. Gaps in Management and Legislation

The regulations in Australia regarding water and garbage management by the

Government and non-governmental organizations are inadequate.

Government Policies and Regulations

Things that have to do with water in Australia are regulated very strictly. These

documents include the National Water Initiative (NWI) and the Water Act 2007. However, there

are still problems with what they cover and how they are used. The NWI's main job is to plan

and control water sources, but it does not have any clear plans for how to deal with water safety

problems. During the 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season, this gap became clear. The fires

greatly affected the water quality everywhere they broke out (Moggridge et al., 2019).

There are also times when the law does not meet the needs of disadvantaged groups.

People have said that the Australian Government's National Indigenous Water Strategy is poorly

funded and carried out, even though its main goal is to make more water available to Indigenous

people worldwide. As stressed in the report released by the Australian National Audit Office in

2021, the plan is not having enough of an impact in the Northern Territory's rural towns, where

problems with poor water quality and waste facilities persist.

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Non-Governmental Sector Shortcomings

Lacks are also shown by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private sector

projects. Many NGOs focus on quick fixes instead of fixing problems that affect the whole

system. For example, groups like WaterAid and the Australian Red Cross have made big impacts,

but their projects do not always lead to long-lasting changes to infrastructure. The 2022 review

of WaterAid's projects in Western Sydney made this clear: many short-term fixes did not fix the

core infrastructure problems, even though much money was spent on them.

Also, payments from the business sector are often scattered and poorly coordinated. Even

though SUEZ and Veolia control water and provide cleaning services, they have been criticized

for not always doing what they say they will do and not being open about their business

practices. Their work does not always match bigger public health goals, leaving reach and

performance holes.

6. Stakeholders

Roles of Health Agencies and Other Key Stakeholders

Regarding water and sanitation, Australia's health agencies play a crucial role. Australian

Department of Health's Water Quality Framework regulates safe water and wastewater

management. For 2021, the ADWG will spell out the standards for safe and high-quality water in

Australia. These rules say water sources must meet strict safety standards to protect people's

health.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) gathers information

from experts to deal with worries about marine illnesses. For the 2020–2021 pandemic, the

AHPPC suggested improving water quality as part of better public cleanliness and cleaning. The
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Australian Water Body (AWA), a well-known business group, works to improve water control

and find new technologies. AWA's "Water Sensitivity Urban Design" project aims to make towns

more resistant to climate change. Two parts of this initiative are urban design and water

management (Aitken, 2015).

Figure 6: Improve water quality in Wet Tropic Australia

Involvement of Community Groups and Critical Infrastructure

Community organizations advocate for and implement clean water and sewage. Local

organizations like SA Water offer seminars and training to encourage cleanliness and water

conservation. In 2020, South African Water launched "Water for Good" to promote water

conservation and facility maintenance.

For water security and cleanliness, water and waste treatment infrastructure is essential.

Since 2008, Brisbane's Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme has shown how critical
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infrastructure may assist in managing water shortages by recycling wastewater for non-drinking

and industrial uses. This project made the water supply safer and illustrated how infrastructure

can manage water. Health professionals, community organizations, and construction

organizations must collaborate to make water and rubbish safer. They collaborate to maintain the

neighborhood active, healthy, and water-efficient.

7. Recommendations

Evidence-Based Recommendations for Policy, Regulation, and Management

Some scientifically proven things can be done to make water better and cleaner.

 Enhance regulatory frameworks: There should be stricter rules. Small pieces of trash

and drugs are being found in more water sources, so the Australian Government should

change the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). In recent studies,

microplastics have been found in Sydney's drinking water, which shows that rules and

tracking need to be changed.

 Increase funding for infrastructure upgrades: Putting money into important facilities

is very important. The Australian Government should put more money into improving

sewers and treating water. In 2022, Sydney Water announced a $2.5 billion Infrastructure
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Upgrade Plan, which is a good start but should be extended to encompass additional

regions, notably rural and distant locations with obsolete infrastructure.

 Promote integrated water management: IWM methods may reduce water shortages

and pollution. The Australian Water Association recommends "Water Sensitive Urban

Design" (WSUD) statewide. Urban development should include rainwater collecting and

green infrastructure to improve water resilience. Brisbane's Western Corridor Recycled

Water Scheme shows how recycled water may reduce water stress and increase water

security (Galvez & Rojas, 2019).

 Strengthen community engagement and education: Getting more people to know

about and participate in attempts to save water is very important. All fifty states should

have programs like SA Water's "Water for Good" effort to teach people about

environmentally friendly ways to use water and get them involved in managing it.

Creating relationships in the area can also help cleaning and water security efforts using

the existing knowledge and resources.

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8. References

Aitken, P. (2015). Developing disaster health preparedness in Australia. Researchonline.jcu.edu.au.

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/43767/

Bichai, F., Ryan, H., Fitzgerald, C., Williams, K., Abdelmoteleb, A., Brotchie, R., & Komatsu, R.

(2014). Understanding the role of alternative water supply in an urban water security strategy: an

analytical framework for decision-making. Urban Water Journal, 12(3), 175–189.

https://doi.org/10.1080/1573062x.2014.895844

Boylan, S., Beyer, K., Schlosberg, D., Mortimer, A., Hime, N., Scalley, B., Alders, R., Corvalan, C., &

Capon, A. (2018). A conceptual framework for climate change, health and wellbeing in NSW,

Australia. Figshare.utas.edu.au.

https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/journal_contribution/A_conceptual_framework_for_climate_

change_health_and_wellbeing_in_NSW_Australia/23016152/1

Cook, C., & Bakker, K. (2016, January 29). Water security: critical analysis of emerging trends and

definitions. Www.elgaronline.com; Edward Elgar Publishing.

https://www.elgaronline.com/abstract/edcoll/9781782548003/9781782548003.00008.xml

Galvez, V., & Rojas, R. (2019). Collaboration and integrated water resources management: A literature

review. World Water Policy, 5(2), 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1002/wwp2.12013

Garrick, D., & Hall, J. W. (2014). Water Security and Society: Risks, Metrics, and Pathways. Annual

Review of Environment and Resources, 39(1), 611–639. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-

013012-093817

Moggridge, B. J., Betterridge, L., & Thompson, R. M. (2019). Integrating Aboriginal cultural values

into water planning: a case study from New South Wales, Australia. Australasian Journal of

Environmental Management, 26(3), 273–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/14486563.2019.1650837

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Tularam, G. A., & Murali, K. K. (2014). Water Security Problems in Asia and Longer Term

Implications for Australia. Sustainable Water Use and Management, 119–149.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12394-3_7
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9. Learning Journal

Through the lens of the DPSEEA (Driving Forces, Pressures, State, Exposure, Effect, and

Action) framework, my comprehension of environmental health concerns has been enhanced due

to my reflection on this assessment activity. Due to my analysis of sanitation and water security

in Australia, I have gained significant insights into how numerous driving factors, such as

population expansion and climate change, stress water supplies and infrastructure. This approach

has been very helpful in figuring out the current state of water quality, how much pollution

people are exposed to, and how that pollution affects people's health.

I learned a lot about how important it is to use data-driven ideas in management and

policy projects to fill in the gaps that have been found. People better understand these links'

importance after seeing how they connect different parts of the world and how they need a big

plan to deal with problems like old infrastructure and unclear rules. For cleaning and water safety

programs to work better, they must be watched, and how things are done must be changed. This

will improve everyone's health and make the world last longer.