Desalination Announcement Points To Government’s Failure On Water Management

Wednesday, 07 February 2007 00:16

TEC Director Mr Jeff Angel said "Sydney finds itself in a crisis situation because of the Government’s failure to promote water conservation and embrace environmentally sustainable options such recycling, rainwater tanks and stormwater harvesting”.

TEC has called on the government not to view desalination as a panacea for Sydney’s water problems but as a strong signal more needs to be done on sustainable water solutions for Sydney including indirect potable reuse of treated effluent.

“Sydney urgently needs the government to announce plans for securing Sydney’s water supply with less expensive and environmentally friendly alternatives to desalination. This should include a commitment to indirect potable reuse as a safe and reliable source of supply and permanent water restrictions to embed conservation”, Mr Angel said.

“The Government is looking for a quick fix rather than a sustainable long term solution to Sydney’s water shortage. Desalination must be viewed by government as last resort, emergency measure and kept as small as possible. It should never be used as a substitute for sustainable urban water management”, Mr Angel said.

The announcement comes only a week after the Government’s failure to approve Water Savings Action Plans for the largest water users in Sydney, including some of its own government agencies was exposed.

“It is clear that the Government has been dragging the chain on water conservation and recycling while charging headlong toward desalination. There is still much that can be done to save water and create a sustainable supply. The Government must put long term solutions ahead of a short term political fix”, Mr Angel said.