[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Government must consider recycled water

[Parnell]

Media Release
26th September 2007
                         

Government must consider recycled water


Greens MLC Mark Parnell has condemned the Government's short-sighted
knock-back of recycled effluent in favour of sea water desalination.

"Recycled waste water is a cheaper and better alternative for the
environment than trying to turn sea water into fresh.

"Currently we send millions of litres of water out into the sea as waste
that pollutes our marine environment, kills off precious sea grass and
causes major sand erosion.

"Instead of dumping this water we should be turning it into something
useful. We can use the same technology as desalination, but use it on
waste water. The beauty is it uses much less energy to turn waste water
into drinking water than it does to turn sea water into fresh - and we
stop environmental damage at the same time.

"Major cities, such a London, have been using recycled waste water for
years - it's just common sense. We're going to have to do it eventually,
so let's embrace it now and harvest the rewards through exporting our
knowledge and technology.

"I would have thought the Premier as Minister for Sustainability would
understand the importance of 'closing the loop' - come on Mike, get past
the 'yuk' factor and start seriously addressing the water challenge we
face in a sustainable way," Mr Parnell said.
 

For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893

	
 
 


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