Scarce Water Resources in Australia Water Policy

Question: Discuss about the Scarce Water Resources in Australia for Water Policy. Answer: Introduction The research article has identified the extreme scarcity of the Australian Outback water resources, especially groundwater. Water resources have been identified as one of the scarce resources of the country due to geographical position and different human settlements. Water has been recognised as the backbone of social, agriculture and industrial structure of a country. Due to limited supply resources and increasing demand level, the contemporary water crisis has been faced by the economy. In order to identify the primary scarcity of resources, a detailed investigation has been compiled in the paper to assess the existing status (Fishman, 2011). Meanwhile, by discussing the primary scare resource of the country, the paper has been distinguished to identify the strict government policies and measurements to control the level of scarcity of water resources. Moreover, the study has been designed to evaluate significant substitution available to deal with the circumstances of resource sc arcity. Comprehensive understanding of the viability of available water resources has been included in the discussion paper that sheds the light on Outback Water Plan. Understandably, being a rare natural resource, water resources and waterbodies must be sustained within the inland ecosystem to reduce the scarcity of water resources (Van Loon Van Lanen, 2013). Invariably, the potential human endeavours and vulnerable systems in water contamination must be identified and restricted to preserve the water resources. Description of Scarce Resource Australia is suffering from significant scarce resources due to change in population and climate. Currently, Outback water especially groundwater has become one of the rarest natural resources in Australia. The contribution of Outback water resources has been inevitable for human settlements, agricultural development and industrial sustainability. Hence, the Outback water has been considered to be the treasured natural resources in Australia. In the contemporary ecological situation, excessive utilisation of groundwater and water pollution has created significant threats to human existence posting unmanageable challenges (Dinar Albiac, 2009). Both the surface water and groundwater level have been declined due to the unconditional usage of water resources. Furthermore, high concentrations of an assortment of impurities through the agricultural and industrial dispose of have contaminated both surface water and groundwater in a considerable way. Also, unconventional exploration of natu ral gas and other energy resources in the ground level has depleted the resources of groundwater that can be considered as an unmanageable loss to the ecosystem. In the address article, Jenny Davis (2015) has identified the impact of water contamination and the destruction of Outback water resources. In the identification of the same, the potential sustainability impact on human settlements has been unveiled (Davis, 2015). The river networks and large inland lakes in Australia have been considered to be the primary resources of fresh water. Meanwhile, the unpredictable rainfall in Australia has created significant issues causing no help to the scarcity of water resources. Due to massive rainfall, some areas in South Australia hit by flood as the waterbodies and wetlands cannot hold immense temporary water productivity. Therefore, the massive rainfall is causing no help to solving the issue of water scarcity (Flynn, 2014). Primarily, the underground water must be preserved to deal with situations like water shortages. Moreover, the issues of water contamination must be strictly resolved to save both the reserved water resources from being contaminated. Government Policies to check scarcity of water resources Currently, the government of Australia has planned to involve the farmers in the agriculture portfolio to have a clear view of water sources and usage of water in the irrigation purpose. Furthermore, the Agriculture Minister of Australia agrees to sign a water project namely Murray-Darling Basin Plan that will increase the supply of ground water in the region (Mukheibir, 2010). Along with that the government release the unified national plan that would be helpful in managing the water resources of the outback. Along with that, the government needs an urgent Outback water security plan to safeguard overuse of Outback water. Hence, it can be seen that the government of Australia has been working hard to improve the current status of water during the draught condition in the country. The government policies maintain the health of the waterways by treating the used water before leaving them in the waterways. Along with that, scientific methods if irrigation is used to manage overuse of water in agricultural purpose (Dinar Albiac, 2009). Along with that, the government has increased the level of tax over the water use in the chemical and mining industries. It enforces water conservation legislation that could be helpful in reusing the water in the manufacturing industry. Identified Substitution of Water The main objective of the Australian government is to identify a replacement of scarce water resources. In order to replace the use of water, different technological innovations have been implied by the government and industry leaders in the Australian market (Shevah, 2014). Rain water harvesting is a primary alternative source of water and several water treatment plants have been installed by the government to meet the growing demand of water (Crase, 2008). The rain water harvesting system is helpful in storing rain water that can be used in the future during the time of draught. On the other hand, water treatment plants helps in re-using the water again and again to reduce the use of fresh water in the manufacturing processes. Furthermore, new scientific irrigation systems have been installed that can be used to keep the water safe from contamination and provide the farmers with regular supply of water (Davis, 2015). It is important to note that water does not have any alternative and precise of water is the only substitution to the scarce water resources in Australia. Conclusion Analysing the article, it can be seen that Australia has been facing a major problem of scarce water resources that impacts the production of agricultural industry. On the other hand, the increased price paid for water impacts the price of commodity in the Australian market. Hence, there is a need of proper policy and regulation of the government to control the use of water in the nation. The recycling of water and contemporary agriculture portfolio is the only alternative to scarce water resources. Hence, it is important to use water in a precise manner to minimise the crisis level in the Australian economy. References Crase, L. (2008).Water policy in Australia. Washington, DC: Resources for the Future. Davis, J. (2015).Australia needs a plan to protect the Outbacks precious water.Theconversation.com. Retrieved August 2016, from https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-a-plan-to-protect-the-outbacks-precious-water-43631 Dinar, A. Albiac, J. (2009).Policy and strategic behaviour in water resource management. London: Earthscan. Fishman, C. (2011).The big thirst. New York: Free Press. Flynn, D. (2014). Sustainable Development and Water Resource Scarcity.ABR,2(5), 12-28. https://dx.doi.org/10.14738/abr.25.438 Mukheibir, P. (2010). Water Access, Water Scarcity, and Climate Change.Environmental Management,45(5), 1027-1039. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-010-9474-6 Shevah, Y. (2014). Water scarcity, water reuse, and environmental safety.Pure And Applied Chemistry,86(7). https://dx.doi.org/10.1515/pac-2014-0202 Van Loon, A. Van Lanen, H. (2013). Making the distinction between water scarcity and drought using an observation-modeling framework.Water Resources Research,49(3), 1483-1502. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wrcr.20147