Recycling strategy a good start

Tuesday, 09 May 2006 10:00

Total Environment Centre (TEC) has welcomed the State Government’s plan to boost levels of water recycling in Sydney but cautioned that it should only be viewed as the first step and that permanent water restrictions are an essential component of long term water sustainability.

TEC Director Mr Jeff Angel said “The proposed Western Sydney Recycling Initiative will be a major boost to recycling and water sustainability in Sydney however it is by no means the last word in water sustainability in Sydney. More large scale recycling projects and the introduction of permanent water restrictions are essential to secure our water supply and ensure desalination remains on the backburner for good”.

If restrictions are combined with planned recycling, we would be saving 20% of our water – this is real progress.

“Cities like Melbourne and Adelaide have adopted permanent water conservations measures to ensure their long term sustainability. Sydney must also respond to the challenge posed by a growing population and warming climate by taking this essential step”, Mr Angel said.

TEC has told the government that it must embrace potable reuse in order to ensure maximum use of recycled water.

“Using recycled water for industrial and outdoor applications is a great start however it can only go so far. Maximum use of recycled water will require that some of it be treated to drinking water standard and recycled into the drinking water system”, Mr Angel said.

Residents in Richmond and Windsor are already drinking recycled water with their supplies drawn directly from the Hawkesbury River downstream from high level sewerage treatment plants. Potable reuse has also been embraced overseas with Singapore, in particular, drawing some of its drinking water from recycling.

“Scientific research as well as local and overseas experience shows that recycled water can be made safe for human consumption. The government has made a good start to promoting recycling in Sydney but it must be prepared to take the bold steps needed to provide Sydney with a genuinely sustainable water supply”, Mr Angel said.