PB manages RAESP on behalf of Western Australia’s Department of Housing and Works (DHW).

PB provides technical support and advice to three regional service providers (RSPs) in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Western Desert regions. The RSPs — commercial operators contracted directly to DHW — carry out necessary maintenance and monitoring to keep essential services operating safely and efficiently in Aboriginal communities. RSP staff regularly visit each community to monitor drinking water quality, and to check and service power and sewerage systems. Communities call RSPs about any problems affecting essential services, but manage day-to-day tasks themselves (e.g. cleaning solar panels, taking meter readings, checking fuel levels, mowing and weeding around wastewater ponds, checking fences and locks).

RAESP delivers safe, reliable drinking water to some of the most isolated people in the driest part of the driest inhabited continent on earth. The program is working toward implementing the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004 and the Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality. It provides monthly sampling of water supplies in 91 communities, and is achieving targets for microbiological and chemical water quality (95% compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines). Water source protection plans are under way in 36 communities.

RAESP has been operating since 1986, with PB managing the program since 2005.

PB provides a multidisciplinary team with skills and experience in program management, project management, accounting and finance management, contract supervision, remote area water and wastewater services, remote area power systems, Aboriginal liaison, asset management, water quality sampling, and public health.