Urban Sust -Water Cycle

In these times of climate change with frequent drought combined with our excessive consumption, we need a new vision and to reengineer our urban water practices and infrastructure away from one use and high levels of consumption and to protect our catchments. TEC is campaigning on the whole urban water cycle.

Water Conservation

Using less water is the cheapest and most environmentally responsible policy for Australia. We have one of the highest per person consumption rates in the world, but this is nows declining due to public awareness and new restrictions. We successfully lobbied for the Water (and Energy) Efficient Housing Law and Water Savings Fund. There are now a number of government rebates for water efficient appliances. We also support permanent water restrictions to help embed a new community attitude to urban water use. A household survey conducted for the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal in late 2004 as part of the metropolitan water price review found that 70% of respondents supported some form of permanent water restrictions.

A two year investigation by environment groups, Sydney's Water - going to waste [2004, 586KB] - found a combination of demand management, rainwater tanks, more frequent restrictions and recycling, meant Sydney would not have to consider a new dam on a river or desalination for more than 90 years.

Water Catchments

Environment groups including TEC have produced plans for protection of our water catchments - Can the Catchments Sustain Us? [2003, 350KB]

TEC is also campaigning to stop damage to rivers and wetlands by coal mining.

Desalination

Desalination is environmentally damaging - it is energy intensive; once built additional modules compete with recycling for funds; even if renewable energy is available it should be used to replace existing coal power not feed new demand; and there is marine pollution from the concentrated waste brine.

Unfortunately most Australian capital cities are building desal plants. Despite this TEC is calling for more recycling, currently only a few percent of total supplies; and the use of permanent restrictions to rule out the worst of wasteful water use.

Alternatives to Central Coast desal
Our Alternative to Desalination sets out a better environmental and economic option. Government assessment has confirmed our proposal costs less and is more energy efficient. TEC organised an expert forum in December 2005. The presentations covered energy use (Dr Chris Reidy, Institute for Sustainable Futures) , alternative recycling options, a policy history (Dr Cahrales Essery) and key points in the debate (Ian Kiernan. CleanUp Australia).

Restoring Urban Steams

Our Rivers Restore studies have produced an assessment and community involvement process to target concrete lines streams for restoration to a more natural state.

Identifying Opportunities and Testing a Methodology [2004, 972KB]