National Water Week Brings Urgent Need for Rural Water Security into Focus
As National Water Week begins on 20 October, Rural Aid is urging Australians to help farming families who are living without something most of us take for granted: safe, reliable household water.
Across the country, many farming families are running out of clean water to drink, cook with and bathe in. Rural Aid is committed to easing this crisis by delivering domestic water and donating household water tanks to farmers in need. These are not for irrigation or livestock. They are for the kitchen tap, the bathroom sink and the washing machine. They are for basic human dignity.
This year’s National Water Week theme, Bring Water into Focus, comes at a time when the need has never been clearer. During August, Rural Aid made 60 household water tanks available to farming families across every state and territory. Every single tank was claimed within minutes.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the speed and scale of the response reflects a issue that is deepening.
“When everyday things like doing the laundry or taking a proper shower become difficult, it is more than just a challenge. It is a sign that a family needs help. That is a family in distress. And this is the reality for far too many people on the land,” Mr Warlters said.
A recent survey of Rural Aid’s registered farmers found that 77 per cent of respondents rated their need for a domestic water tank as either high or medium. Almost all who have received a Rural Aid tank, 97 per cent, reported an improvement in their wellbeing.
“The response from our farmers has been powerful. Many have called these water tanks lifesaving. They tell us they feel like they can breathe again. They feel supported. They feel seen,” Mr Warlters said.
One farming family who recently received a donated water tank is Mary and Mac Haig from Cunnamulla, Queensland. They shared what the support has meant for them:
“Water tanks are essential for ensuring the health and productivity of households. They provide a reliable water supply, which is crucial for daily welfare and overall quality of life,” Ms Haig said.
Mr Warlters said the National Water Week theme is especially relevant for rural Australia.
“This year we are being asked to bring water into focus. For the families we help, water is already front and centre. Every drop is counted. Every litre matters. Our job is to make sure they are not facing this alone.”
Rural Aid is asking Australians to donate during National Water Week to help meet the overwhelming demand for household water tanks. Every contribution will help restore comfort and dignity to families doing it tough.
To donate or learn more, visit www.ruralaid.org.au.
About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au