GOVERNMENT WATER ANNOUNCEMENTS NOT A LONG TERM SOLUTION

Monday, 18 October 2004 10:00

NSW Government announcements of increased transfers from the Shoalhaven River, deep pumping from dams and investigation of desalination do not provide a long term solution to Sydney's water crisis as they fail to address the underlying problem of unsustainable demand and wasteful water use the Total Environment Centre (TEC) has warned.

TEC Director Mr Jeff Angel said, "Sydney's water problems stem from decades of wasteful water use and a failure by governments to adopt sustainable practices. Deep pumping from dams and transfers from the Shoalhaven still rely on rainfall to maintain supplies. We need a major shift toward new approaches and sustainable sources of water such as recycled effluent for non-drinking uses", Mr Angel said.

While welcoming the announcement of effluent reuse in new development areas TEC has warned that it must be extended to already developed areas.
"Comments by Minister Frank Sartor, limiting the role of recycled water are unacceptable - it's the same old Sydney water propaganda - intended to preserve their monopoly position, Mr Angel said."

TEC Urban Campaigner Mr Leigh Martin said "Sydney currently wastes millions of litres of water a day by discharging sewage effluent into the oceans. This is a valuable resource that should be used across the city to take pressure off our present and future supplies".

"If this had been done along with substantial water conservation measures, before the current water crisis, then there would be much more water left in the dams. It is a lesson we should learn before the next crisis hits."

TEC also attacked the announcement of a $4million feasibility study of desalination.
"Desalination is an unsustainable approach that will require massive amounts of electricity and cause an unacceptable increase in greenhouse gas emissions. This money would be better spent on developing sustainable options and assisting the public to reduce consumption", Mr Angel said.
 

For further information

Contact
:
Jeff Angel - Director
Phone
:
61 2 9299 5599
Email
:
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:
http://www.tec.org.au/