Victorian Government Should Keep Focus on Water Conservation
Tuesday 18 March 2010
By focusing on the easing of water restrictions in Melbourne, the Victorian Government is sending the wrong message to Victorian households and risking our water future, says Australia’s leading sustainable living organisation, the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).
“Victoria is not out of the woods as far as water security, with river systems in dire need of environmental flows and water storages at 34.65%,” says Anjali Brown, ATA’s Water Policy Manager.
“By focusing on water restrictions the Victorian Government is giving the impression to Melbourne households that there is no need to continue to make our homes more water efficient.”
“In recent years, Victorian households have been able to reduce their water use with good conservation practices such as installing water efficient showerheads, installing rainwater tanks and reusing greywater for their gardens.”
“When it comes to keeping gardens alive over summer, greywater systems and rainwater tanks play an important role. Rainwater can also be used indoors to dramatically reduce mains water consumption.”
“Melbournians had maintained personal water use levels well under the Government’s current Target 155 and, with the right support, could get even more efficient.
“ATA has collected a number of Melbourne household case studies that show how 100 litres of mains water per person per day is very achievable,” she said.
“With Melbourne projected to have a population of five million by 2030, the Victorian government needs to invest further in water efficient homes rather than stop–gap, large-scale projects such as desalination plants and pipelines,” says Ms Brown.
Case studies of water efficient families available on request
Media enquiries: Anjali Brown, ATA Water Policy Manager; mobile: 0403 084 006 phone:03 9631 5405;email: anjali@ata.org.au
