Who owns the rain?

Water does not respect borders. When rivers, aquifers and even rainfall connect countries and communities, who gets to decide where the water goes?

In episode four of Aquaholics, Kylie Johnson, Sarah Ransom, Professor Bradley Moggridge and Dr Andrew O'Neill explore the geopolitics of shared water. The discussion moves from transboundary river basins and water infrastructure in conflict to the agreements, institutions and trust needed when decisions made upstream affect people downstream.

The hosts examine the Murray-Darling Basin, water markets, local government cooperation and the emerging idea that countries may also depend on one another for atmospheric or 'green' water. They ask whether water should be treated primarily as a commodity, a public resource or an entity with a voice and rights of its own.

In the Water Cooler segment, the team considers whether future wars will be fought over water, and why cooperation, long-term planning and fair access may be more important than ownership.

Aquaholics is an initiative of the Australian Water Partnership, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Hosts Kylie Johnson is Senior Manager, Partnerships and Communication at the Australian Water Partnership. Her career spans climate, water and communication across journalism, government and the not-for-profit sector. Kylie Johnson profile Sarah Ransom is General Manager of the Australian Water Partnership. A former Australian diplomat and lawyer, she has worked across international development, governance, gender, community engagement and partnership brokering. Sarah Ransom profile Professor Bradley Moggridge is a proud Kamilaroi man, Professor of Science and Associate Dean, Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, at the University of Technology Sydney. His work brings Indigenous knowledge, hydrogeology and water science into research, policy and environmental management. Professor Bradley Moggridge profile Bradley Moggridge research outputs Dr Andrew O'Neill is Chief Science and Sustainability Officer at Healthy Land & Water. He leads innovation and supports scientists and engineers working to improve South East Queensland's environment, connecting research, policy and practical action. Dr Andrew O'Neill profile

Relevant links and resources UN-Water: Transboundary waters - An overview of shared river basins, lakes and aquifers and the need for international cooperation. UNECE guide to transboundary water agreements - Practical guidance for developing effective, adaptable and sustainable cooperation arrangements. UN World Water Development Report 2024 - Water for Prosperity and Peace examines the links between water security, cooperation and conflict. Murray-Darling Basin water markets - Learn how water entitlements and allocations can be bought and sold across the Basin. Te Awa Tupua Act 2017 - Read the New Zealand legislation declaring Te Awa Tupua, the Whanganui River, a legal person. Australian Water Partnership - Learn about AWP’s work supporting sustainable and climate-resilient water management in the Indo-Pacific.

Contact and follow Send a question or topic idea to Aquaholics: [email protected] Australian Water Partnership enquiries: Contact AWP Phone: +61 2 6206 8320 Address: UC Innovation Centre, Bruce ACT 2617, Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.