Integrated Water Management (IWM) is a collaborative approach to managing water. IWM is about working together to manage water in smarter ways. Instead of focusing on one problem at a time, IWM looks at the whole system and how everything is connected.
Planning for the future while improving life today. It considers the interconnected nature of water and land systems together alongside the social, cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of water management. It is closely aligned with several areas, including:
Climate change, population growth and rapid urbanisation put surface and ground water resources under pressure. This then affects liveability of urban areas. There is rising community interest for green public spaces. These are spaces that provide refuge, cooling, and local flood solutions as rainfall intensifies with climate change.
The IWM approach to water management addresses these challenges and community interests by finding solutions that deliver multiple benefits.
Areas that IWM connects to include:
IWM also seeks to integrate the values of local communities and Traditional Owners in decisions about water use and infrastructure development.
This collaborative approach enables better decision making about water. This includes thinking about all aspects of water resource management (including competing uses) when making decisions.
This is very important for interconnected systems because what happens in one place can have a major impact on other places downstream. To build a healthier landscape we must consider all users.
It is also a great way for the community to get involved. This way, you can ensure your area is doing what it can to combat water challenges.
Many urban water projects are the result of Integrated Water Management. Learn about how these come about and why they are so important.
Stephanie Brown is a Senior Project Manager with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). In this video she talks about how Integrated Water Management is everywhere we look and how her study path led to a career turning the community's ideas into reality.
Below you can find a variety of resources to further research and understand Integrated Water Management.
Integrated Water Management Program – working together to create better outcomes for communities:
How to get the most out of your rain water tank – a helpful guide.
Greater Melbourne Urban Water and System Strategy: Water for Life – developed by Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water.
Developing water for Bayside with Integrated Water Management – Bayside City Council.
Integrated Water Management in Frankston – Frankston City Council.
Hume Integrated Water Management Plan 2020–2025 – Hume City Council.
Municipal Integrated Water Management Plan – City of Melbourne.
City of Melton Intergrated Water Management Plan 2018–2028 – Melton City Council.
Flood Integrated Decision System – Melbourne Water making flood management and forecasting easier and faster for the Port Phillip and Westernport region.
Green Pitch – MCG water recycling (Channel 10) – cutting water usage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by 50%.
Building sustainable and resilient cities – Water Sensitive Cities Australia helping to improve the world.
Integrated Catchment Management and the Powlett River/Kugerungmome Catchment – managing land, water, and biodiversity from the top to the bottom of a catchment.
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Page last updated: 16/09/25