Government stands by water projects
Posted
Updated
A new study says billions of litres of water would be saved if Melburnians drank recycled water. (ABC TV)
The State Government says it will not force Melburnians to drink recycled waste water, despite a new report advocating the measure.
The Environment Victoria report claims there would be no need for the north-south pipeline or a desalination plant, if Melburnians drank recycled water and the Government harvested more rainwater.
It says the measures could eventually save about 400 billion litres of water a year, compared with the 240 billion litres expected to flow from the Government's two projects.
Environment Victoria's Kelly O'Shanassy says the Government should invest instead in waste water treatment.
"Purified through treatment systems, returned back into our drinking system ," she said.
"If we can look in water efficiency savings, so every home had water saving fixtures, and potentially a rainwater tank, we could avoid the need for a desalination plant, and the north-south pipeline, but we would still need to have recycled water to get us through the leaner years."
But the Premier, John Brumby, who is in Gippsland today, is standing firm.
"We're not drinking recycled water. And that's a long standing policy view of the Government," he said.
Mr Brumby says the Victorian Government remains committed to the two projects.
"Melbourne's got some of the best quality water anywhere in the world, and you just wouldn't use recycled water to mix in with Melbourne's water. We discussed that in government some time ago, and we made it clear decision on it," he said.
"The plan we've got , is the right plan."
The report also calls for a ban on logging in catchment areas.
Search for news
ABC News Online takes a look at the big stories from 2008.
