The Federal Government has unveiled the National Water Account, which will aim to provide ‘the most accurate and robust’ water reporting in the country.

 

Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Senator Don Farrell, said the Bureau of Meteorology's delivery of the National Water Account was a landmark achievement.

 

"The National Water Account brings together more than 30 water agencies and reporting partners to provide the most comprehensive snapshot of water information available in Australia," he said

 

"It is recognised around the world that water plays a key role in prosperity and well being. The National Water Account gives Australia the ability to accurately monitor, assess, and forecast the availability, quality and use of water resources.

 

"The National Water Account has been designed to be easily accessible and publicly available online and opens up a wealth of opportunities for enhanced interactivity and real-time information."

 

Bureau of Meteorology Acting Director of Meteorology, Dr Rob Vertessy, said the account aims to build confidence in water management across Australia through transparent, independent and rigorous annual reporting of the amount of water available, traded, accessed and used for various purposes, through scientific data and analysis.

 

"The Bureau produces a range of water information products including water storage, seasonal streamflow forecasts and the Australian hydrological geospatial fabric, known as Geofabric," Dr Vertessy said.