kate harriden is a Wiradjuri water person and scientist. Her work is country-centred, and focussed on decolonising current western water management approaches, particularly in terms of streams. kate completed her PhD in Indigenous water sciences at the Fenner School of Environment & Sustainability at ANU and is now a Research Fellow with The Monash Sustainable Development Institute.
kate is an advisor to Bandalang Studio, and through the studio, is leading a project to design a system for potable water delivery to Tjukurla Community in Western Australia, a remote Indigenous community that has been operating without potable running water since at least 2023.
This report provides background for the bandalang studio Tjukurla water project examining potential water quality solutions to improve current domestic water supply.
Currently bore water is supplied as domestic water in Tjurkurla. Between June 2022 and June 2023, Tjukurla domestic water was subject to a ‘not safe to drink’ notice, due largely to elevated fluoride levels. Rates of nitrate beyond those safe for drinking, food preparation and infant formula preparation were also recorded.
See Tjukurla Water Systerm: Background Report