Urban water can have an impact on our local waterways, wetlands,
and ultimately, the Great Barrier Reef.
‘Urban water’ is generally understood to be water associated with municipal, residential, commercial, and industrial activity in urban areas. It includes stormwater runoff and wastewater discharge.
In Townsville, our local council, local industry and business, and the wider community all have roles to play in understanding and responding to the dynamics and effects of urban water.
While every year our Partnership produces its annual water health report card to score regional water catchment quality and conditions, Townsville’s urban water management practices are also periodically assessed and rated.
The system through which these management efforts are reviewed is the Urban Water Stewardship Framework (UWSF).
The Framework rates levels of urban water quality management practices. It was developed by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) as part of the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.