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A recent conversation with Kim Stephens from the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC has highlighted an eventful parallel journey between Canada and Australia towards a more sustainable and resilient society over the last decade. This conversation resulted in agreement to document reflections on the parallel journey. It has been a journey of different cultures and climates but similar challenges to ensure water supplies and enhance our environment whilst striving for greater inclusiveness throughout society. This first of three articles focuses on insights gained from interactions with Canadian leaders during the period 2001 to 2005.

The Senate of the Australian Parliament has initiated an inquiry into the stormwater resource in Australia. This submission responds to this important issue from the necessary context of the entire water cycle.

This submission discusses the key insights from initiation of water cycle reform and policy development for water cycle management in the jurisdictions of the New South Wales, Victorian and Australian Capital Territory governments.

Policies and strategies for stormwater management are needed in the context of water cycle and planning systems. It is essential to frame evidence based policy from the “bottom up” using all available data and integrating all available spatial and temporal scales of behaviour. New policy frameworks are required to integrate rainwater and stormwater harvesting, soil profiles, vegetation, land uses and waterways in town planning processes.

Longitudinal sampling from rainwater tanks and mains water throughout Australia was utilised to analyse the metal and elements in water supplies. A majority of analysed samples were compliant with Australian Drinking Water Guideline values for metal and elements, although 12% of samples exceeded guideline values for one or more element. However, repeated non-compliance with guidelines was rare.

Continuous simulation of hydrologic systems requires the use of long sequences of high resolution climate data. Continuing advances in stochastic rainfall methods indicates that continuous simulation is likely to become a practical tool for hydrologic risk assessment. This study examines the case for adoption of continuous simulation.

This PhD thesis by Dr Anthony Spinks examined the water quality, incidental treatment train mechanisms and health risks of urban rainwater harvesting systems. It was an honour to be one of Anthony’s supervisors. In essence, this thesis argues that a series of incidentally occurring treatment trains contribute to the production of high quality freshwater from rainwater harvesting systems. Importantly, this thesis confirms and identifies the key behaviour of rainwater storages in recommending an appropriate guideline framework for greater utilisation of rainwater in urban areas.