Mimal Water & Sanitation Project

World
Location
South Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
Partners
Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation & International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH)

It is estimated that more than 400 remote or regional communities in Australia lack access to good quality drinking water, with First Nations communities disproportionately affected.

In partnership with Mimal Land Management and IWSH, the Reece Foundation worked with the Mimal Ranger base to co-design a water infrastructure solution to support the community now, and into the future.  

a worker standing in outback Australia beside a truck equipped with a large water tank
A group of volunteers standing outside on a bright, sunny day holding up Mimal Land Management tshirts
An action shot of man digging with a shovel in the Australian outback surrounded by trees and greenery, with diggers and other machinery in the background

The Project

As a hub between the two remote communities of Bulman and Weemol, the Mimal Ranger Base has become a central meeting place, providing cultural programs, community services and vocational education to the local community.  

Maintaining these vital services required reliable water infrastructure. With the hardness of the water reaching extreme levels, equipment and infrastructure were being damaged, creating challenges for the Base.

We co-designed a water solution with Mimal Land Management to ensure it met the needs of the community and supported the ambitions of their Healthy Country Plan.

Two project volunteers looking at a map pinned to a wall
Two community members standing outdoors in a grassy area smiling at the camera, pointing to the logos on their shirts

13 Reece Foundation trade volunteers from across Australia came together in August 2024 to complete this project in over weeks.

The team of volunteers:

  • Installed four 27,000L rainwater tanks and catchment infrastructure for drinking water

  • Built a custom quick-fill tank system for rangers to efficiently load their spray tanks during firefighting and weed control operations

  • Created a water treatment solution to access bore water on site, removing calcium and minerals from the water

Three volunteers pose in front of 4 large outdoor water tanks on a sunny day
heart

Working together.

Every community understands its needs the best, so listening and consulting with community is fundamental to the success of any project. This process can’t be rushed.

This resulted in a fit-for-purpose water infrastructure solution that will support the community's needs now and into the future.

A large project like this only comes together in collaboration with a lot of people. We would like to thank Reece, Vinidex and Grundfos who donated their products and expertise to help deliver this project.

A special thanks also to Brooks Hire, who supported with equipment, and Northline and their partners Aurizon and Pacific National, who supported with product transportation.

The Outcome

a stylised graphic of a circle, semicircle and a wave

108,000 litres

of rainwater tanks and catchment infrastructure installed for drinking water.

A stylised graphic of a wheel and a ball

A custom, quick-fill tank system

For rangers to efficiently load their spray tanks during firefighting and weed control operations.

A stylised graphic of a water pump and a ball

Future infrastucture

A water treatment solution to access bore water, along with water infrastructure around the base for current and future needs.

A man in work gear standing outside on grass, holding his hand in the stream of fresh water coming from a water pump
A group of volunteers stand in the shade of a tree on a sunny day in outback Australia, holding a Mimal Land Management sign and smiling for the camera

A better world starts with you.

Every donation helps us and our partners on the ground make real change for the people that need it the most. If you’re a qualified tradie, you can join our list of volunteers to be notified when there's a project that needs your expertise. Have a project idea? Apply for a Reece Foundation Grant to help a community here or overseas.

A volunteer working on a project, bending some pipe looks around and smiles for the camera