Commenting on the ever-increasing urgency of the water issue across the nation, Mr Turnbull is confident about the efficacy of the Federal Government’s initiatives.

“The Federal Government cannot make it rain. But we have delivered the blueprint for water reform in Australia, the National Water Initiative (NWI). As the cornerstone of the government’s plan to maintain a stable water supply, the NWI will lay the foundations for a secure and sustainable water future.”

However, Mr Turnbull would like to see progress under the program happen more quickly.

“While we regularly lament that we are not moving fast enough, there has been considerable progress made. Australia’s water management regime, built upon the National Water Initiative, remains, in the words of The Economist, the gold standard to which other nations should aspire.”

Mr Turnbull says that the states and territories need to further their progress on their commitments to water reform under the NWI.

“In our cities state governments need to make the necessary investment to provide people with the water they need. Our major cities have many sources of additional water and a number of them such as recycling and desalination are not climate dependent. This isn’t rocket science. All of our major cities would be drought-proofed today if they had made the necessary investments to augment their water supplies over the past decade. We need more secure urban water supplies so we can move beyond unnecessary water restrictions.

“We released a report card a few months ago which monitored compliance and while progress has been made states still have some way to go to meeting best practice water management, meeting and fulfilling their obligations under the NWI. The NWI outlines many steps that need to be taken to ensure we make every drop count and which will help secure future water supply.

“These steps include more secure water access entitlements and expansion of water trade, so water goes to its highest-value use; better water resource management and planning; better water pricing; and more efficient water management in urban environments, through increased recycling and storm water use where appropriate.”

The creation of the Australian Government Office of Water Resources, which many have speculated may lead to the creation of a federal ministry of water, is another key part of the federal government’s strategy for water management. Headed by Dr James Horne, it provides and co-ordinates policy advice across Commonwealth agencies, and reports to the Prime Minister and Mr Turnbull.

“The Australian Government Office of Water Resources will enable the Commonwealth to demonstrate even greater leadership on water issues.

“It has the expertise to press forward with the development of water trading and sustainable allocation of water entitlements, as well as to work with the National Water Commission to evaluate proposals for major transformative water infrastructure proposals, including storage, distribution and recycling

Another crucial aspect of the federal government’s plan is the $2 billion Australian Government Water Fund (AGWF), which comprises the $1.6 billion Water Smart Australia program, the $200 million Raising National Water Standards program and the $200 million Community Water Grants program. Overall, the AGWF aims to provide major national resources to help advance the objectives and outcomes of the National Water Initiative and secure a sustainable water future.

The Raising National Water Standards program plans to Australia’s capacity to measure, monitor and manage water resources over the long term and supports a nationally consistent water accounting system, assessment of groundwater resources, water efficiency labelling and community water conservation.

The Community Water Grants program helps encourage and fund community water projects that promote wise water use and community education on water saving.

But it is the $1.6 billion Water Smart Australia scheme that most directly affects the pipeline industry. This funding, which invests in projects that accelerate the uptake of smart technologies and practices in water use across Australia, has a heavy infrastructure component, and many of the projects announced as part of the scheme have involved pipelines. Mr Turnbull is unequivocal when commenting on the importance of pipelines in delivering more efficient water infrastructure across the country.

“It is difficult to think of any water project where the largest single cost is not the pipeline component. Water is heavy and moving it around is expensive and becoming more so. Pipes and pipelines are in strong demand!”

Major water projects that have already been announced that involve significant pipelines include: the 9,000 km Wimmera-Mallee pipeline system, the 30 km Hunter-Gosford/Wyong pipeline, the 30 km Capricorn Coast - Livingstone Shire pipeline, the 13 km NQ Water pipeline, the 26 km Virginia Pipeline Extension, the 13 km Bendigo Bounty Recycling pipeline, the 15 km Dalby Coal Seam Gas water pipeline, and the 20 km Mackay Recycling pipeline.

Commenting on the significance of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project, Mr Turnbull says: “It is a landmark project that will upgrade water supply, return tens of billions of litres of water to the environment and provide 20,000 ML of water for economic development in the region. This project is one of largest water construction projects in Australia and is a great example of the Federal and State cooperative approach required to meet Australia’s future water needs.”

Currently, up to 85 per cent of water in the existing channel system is lost through seepage and evaporation, and up to 13,000 ML of water will be saved by having Stage One of the pipeline operational next year. The Australian Government is providing $167 million towards the project.

“The century-old Wimmera Mallee stock and domestic water system supplies water to more than 5,500 farms and more than 40 towns in Victoria and the pipeline improvements will provide greater certainty for water users, water for regional development and help to return stressed river systems to more sustainable levels. The importance of this Victorian project is underscored by the fact that is the largest project funded to date from the Water Smart Australia Program.”

Mr Turnbull adds that water savings from the first stage of construction would be particularly welcome, given that the Wimmera Mallee region has been hit hard by years of low rainfall.

“We are delighted that this first stage of the project will now be delivered twelve months ahead of schedule, given the ongoing dry conditions being experienced across the Wimmera Mallee region.”

“The Government is also looking at a number of projects that relate to pipeline proposals under the Prime Minister’s recent call under the Water Smart Australia program for large, transformative water projects from the states and territories. These include the 200 km Western Corridor Recycling Scheme, the 180 km Bendigo-Ballarat Pipeline from the Goulburn System, and the SA Desalination Plant, for which the major pipeline will be built by BHP. Various projects in WA as well as Western Recycling in Sydney will involve pipelines.”

Water sharing between states has also been discussed as a potential solution to shortages facing many states, and Mr Turnbull advocates a dialogue about such projects.

“Water does not respect state boundaries or lines on a map. What I have advocated is that we need to start thinking of water as Australians and we should be engaged in dialogue to see where possible we can find solutions to water shortages by collaboratively working across state boundaries. The states should be engaged in constructive dialogue to see what water arrangements make sense and what don’t.”

Though water is increasing in urgency as a national issue, much of the focus has been on Queensland recently, particularly following Premier Peter Beattie’s declaration of a water crisis in that state. Commenting on the development of a water grid in that state, Mr Turnbull questioned whether it was the best available option.

“Sharing water between catchments is an important part of water security.

On the other hand moving water around is costly as water is very heavy.

So balancing the cost of securing water locally or piping it in from a distance will depend on the circumstances of each city. The water grid will improve water security, but that begs the question of whether it will do so in a more efficient and cost effective manner than other options.”

Mr Turnbull is also optimistic that public opinion regarding the use of recycled water as a source of potable water, another contentious issue in Queensland earlier this year, will change.

“Reuse of recycled water for drinking purposes in the manner proposed in both Toowoomba and Goulburn is sustainable and it is safe. But, as I have said many times, it is not compulsory.

“The fact remains that recycling water is important in Australia because demand is projected to exceed supply from existing water sources in nearly all major Australian cities within 20 years and in most cities there are limited opportunities for new dams.

“I am optimistic that recycling water for potable use will eventually occur in Australia as it will materially augment water supplies in areas hard pressed for rain and who will find it difficult to continue to rely on methods where water is only used once. Water should be judged by its quality not by its history.”

Meanwhile, replacing inefficient water infrastructure is another way to conserve water and ensure the security of future supplies while enhancing the efficiency of existing water infrastructure in Australia.

“A great example of this can be found in the Harvey Irrigation area south of Perth where a third of the water was being lost in leaky channels before it reached the farm gate. The Harvey farmers noticed that Perth was low on water and persuaded the city water utility to pay to replace those open channels with huge pipes. The water saved was traded to the city. The farmers receive the same amount of water as they did before, but now it is available on tap and under pressure. There is plenty of potential for this kind of win-win investment in irrigated agriculture.”

Mr Turnbull is also open to private companies being granted access to public infrastructure, noting that third party access is an important element in ensuring a more competitive economy and is supported by specific legislation in Part IIIA of the Trade Practices Act. He also said that there is the potential for market forces to develop in the water industry, which could change the pricing and delivery of water in the long term.

“Under the National Water Initiative expansion of water trade is a commitment by all the states that will see water go to its highest-value use and water valued more highly,” he says.

The issue of establishing a secure water supply is set to become only more crucial in coming years, and the federal government’s initiatives and funding strategies seem to suggest that pipeline development is essential in meeting the nation’s increasing water needs. As Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for water policy, Mr Turnbull is confident of not only securing Australia’s water supply in the future, but of the role pipelines will play in development of water management across the country.