29 August 2008

In a submission to the Melbourne’s Future Water Supply Inquiry today, Australia’s leading sustainable living organisation, the Alternative Technology Association called on the Victorian State Government to prioritise climate-friendly water saving solutions over energy dependent options.

Any attempt by the state government to sideline rainwater tanks will be a major loss for consumers and the environment, says Damien Moyse, ATA’s Energy and Water Advocate.

“Rainwater tanks are five times more energy efficient than desalination plants per kilolitre of water delivered.”

Mr Moyse says if only an additional 10% of Melbourne households installed rainwater tanks, up to 12,000 gigalitres of water could be saved per year.

“That’s 4,000 Olympic sized swimming pools of fresh drinking water saved for Melbourne”.

ATA’s experience is that Victorians want to contribute to water conservation and people wanting a low cost alternative should be assisted by government, says Mr Moyse.

“88% of respondents to an ATA survey were motivated to install a rainwater tank solely because they wanted to play a role in helping to conserve water”.

Mr Moyse says water saving solutions that are low cost to the environment, like rainwater tanks and greywater systems, must be key requirements of the government’s proposed 7-star homes building code.

Comment:Damien Moyse - Energy and Water Advocate - T (03) 9631 5405

Media enquiries:   Bojun Chiswell  -  T  (03) 9631 5409    E  bojun@ata.org.au