Australia's water industry management is placing the quality of the nation's water supply at risk, Professor Graham Harris told the ANZAAS conference in Canberra.

"Rampant managerialism in the water industry means that it has now lost most of its in-house scientific skills and capability," Professor Harris, Manager of CSIRO's Environmental Projects Office said.

"The industry has little or no scientific capability itself and is now dependent on 'outsourced' expertise - with very variable results."

Professor Harris said that while there is a general public awareness of the need for top quality monitoring and research into water use, there is an urgent need to upgrade much Australian water science, especially in the major water management bodies.

"Too much of the science that is being done is not subject to peer review, and too little reference is made to international scientific literature," said Professor Harris, who quoted the recent Port Philip Bay Environmental Study as an example of world-class science carried out by a strong Australian multi-disciplinary team, involving CSIRO and a number of Victorian water agencies with funding from Melbourne Water.

"This benchmark Study was carried out as a direct result of community pressure," said Professor Harris. "It is also notable that the Victorian Government committed itself to abide by the recommendations of the Study."

Professor Harris told the ANZAAS conference that Australia needs to develop a three part alliance between industry, water regulators, and water scientists.

"Excellence in the 1990s needs both excellent science and excellent delivery," he said.

More information from: Professor Graham Harris CSIRO, tel 06-2818480