National Water Week
National Water Week

Every third week of October, National Water Week makes a splash across Australia, inspiring individuals, communities and organisations to build awareness around the value of water. Access to clean water is hugely important to our daily lives, and it’s down to all of us to protect our water environments and resources, and use water wisely.

Reimagining our Water Future

The theme for 2020 is Reimagining our Water Future. As our population grows, this will put more stress on our water resources, so how can we reimagine the way we use and reuse water to ensure there’s enough of it in the future? How can we rethink our current water practices to help conserve valuable water resources? What can we do as individuals and as communities to inspire a more sustainable water future?

Resources

Here you’ll find a range of resources to spread the word about water, like making sure people practice good water habits or brushing up on your knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Colouring posters

Social media graphics

Learning resources

Sustainable Development Goals
Click on any of the boxes below to find out more about each SDG and the related targets.

         

        

 
Indigenous water
River Kids – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to explore the challenges facing the Murray River
Indigenous Weather Knowledge – The Bureau of Meteorology looks at the history of Indigenous weather, environmental knowledge and cultural stories
National Cultural Flows Research Project – Looks at Indigenous connections to water and Aboriginal water values

Water cycle
Perth's Water Supply – Water Corporation's interactive online tool showing where Perth's water comes from
Interactive Water Cycle – Unitywater's Education Program has resources for teachers and students
When Water Lost Her Way – Audio book presentation of the Australian book When Water Lost Her Way
Natural Water Cycle Colouring Sheet – Learn about the natural water cycle with South East Water's colouring sheets
Urban Water Cycle Water Warriors – Find out how Melbourne Water's Water Warriors make a positive impact on the urban water cycle

Flushing water
Don't Flush Your Underwear – Bundaberg Regional Council's video shows why you shouldn't flush your undies down the loo
Poo Crew – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to find out what happens when you flush the loo

Bottled water
Bottled Vs Tap Water – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to find out why people pay for bottled water when our tap water is safe and free
Banning Bottled Water – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to find out why a small NSW town has banned the sale of bottled water

Saving water
Weird Water – ABC goes 'Behind the News' to teach kids to stop wasting water
Love Water Quiz – Hunter Water's quiz will tell you if you're a Wasteful Wade or an Aware Alice!
Save Water Inside Your Home – SA Water shares practical tips on how to save water at home
Saving Energy & Water Around the Home – EWOV shares tips on saving energy and water around the home

Everything you need to know about water
Educational Resources – Melbourne Water has lots of resources on wetlands, saving water, and the water cycle
Teaching Resources – All the teaching resources you need to help students learn about our most precious resource
Water Resources for Everyone – South East Water has resources for kids, teachers, parents and the community
The Great NT Water Story – Power & Water Corporation's student storybook and teacher guide
Water Education Resources – Water Corporation's education site has resources for teachers, games for kids, and information for schools
Water Education Videos – WaterNSW has a range of videos about building dams, and managing water supply and quality

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
Resources for Parents & Teachers – Andrea Beaty has books, posters and free downloadables to inspire kids to love STEM

Events

There are several ways you can get involved in National Water Week. You can host an event in your local community, or theme your lessons around water for the whole week. Let us know what you're doing for National Water Week this year. We'll list it below so that your staff or the local community can get involved.

Competitions

The Australian Water Association organises two competitions for young students each year. 

The biggest is the Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize, which is proudly supported by Xylem. The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an international water science competition for high school students to help solve the world’s water challenges. The winner of the Australian component gets to travel to Stockholm, Sweden to compete in the international competition.

We also run an annual National Water Week short film competition for primary and high-school students. We ask a question based around the theme of National Water Week that year and get students to answer it in a creative way. There are lots of cool prizes up for grabs so it’s a great activity in the classroom or at home. Stay tuned as we announce more details in the coming months.

The role of AWA in National Water Week

The Australian Water Association is the national coordinator for National Water Week. We encourage water industry organisations, schools and communities to create, take part in and promote National Water Week events, activities and educational resources.

We provide a suite of resources (posters, logos, colouring sheets, etc.) to help you spread the word and we showcase your activities to our networks to share your successes. If you have any queries about National Water Week you can contact us.

Past National Water Week themes

2019 – It's Time to Change the World
2018 – Water for me, Water for all
2017 – Water - the heart of our culture
2016 – Water, life, growth
2015 – Water innovation for future generations
2014 – There are more sources than you think
2013 – Liveable communities
2012 – Valuing our water
2011 – Healthy Catchments, Healthy Communities
2010 – Many sources, many uses, everyone’s responsibilities
2009 – Securing our Water Future
2008 – Clean Water Essential for Life