The first European settlers who came to Perth in 1829 relied on lakes, rainwater tanks, wells and a few freshwater springs for their water supplies. When population started to increase in the 1880s summer water shortages and pollution in the wells resulted in disease such as typhoid, and the need for a safe water supply scheme became urgent. This presentation will describe Perth’s first public water supply scheme, the public health issues that were addressed and the ongoing role of catchment protection and water quality monitoring.