National Water Week runs in the third week of October each year and aims to raise awareness and understanding of water challenges in our communities and around the world.

This year National Water Week will be held on October 21-27, with the theme “Water for me, Water for all”.

Coordinated by the Australian Water Association, this year’s National Water Week has a specific focus on a number of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal #6 which challenges us to work towards a world where everyone has safe water to drink.

Water also has linkages across Goal #3 (good health and wellbeing), Goal #5 (gender equality), Goal #7 (affordable and clean energy), Goal #11 (sustainable cities and communities), Goal #14 (life below water), and Goal #15 (life on land).

“National Water Week is a call for young people and the broader community to think about how we use water and how we can protect it so we all have it in the future,” Australian Water Association Chief Executive Jonathan McKeown said.

“It urges people to start conversations and get involved in the discussion around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and it provides an opportunity for the water sector to highlight the work they are doing on important water issues or challenges.”

The Australian Water Association’s role in the lead-up to and during National Water Week is to encourage and inspire its members to highlight the work they do for their communities, their staff, and communities across the globe.

“Through our website and social media channels, the Association promotes the work, events and research of its members and shares this with the wider community to raise awareness of significant water issues like the Sustainable Development Goals,” Mr McKeown said.

This year the Association is running two competitions for Australian school students.

One is a colouring competition for primary school students and one is a short film competition with prizes for primary school students and high school students.

“There are four prizes worth $200 each up for grabs so it’s a great way to get involved,” Mr McKeown said.

The Association also encourages teachers to download their resource kits for Science and Geography.

“National Water Week is for everyone, young to old,” Mr McKeown said. “No matter where you’re from, what your passions are, or where you live, water is something that links everyone in our Australian and global community.”

To find out more about the competitions and to access the Association’s resources, visit www.awa.asn.au/nww18 or email at news@awa.asn.au.