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Australia is the second driest continent, second only to Antarctica.Approximately 80% of Australia has a median rainfall of less than 600mm per yearand 50% less than 300mm. Australia's economy is dependent upon an abundant supplyof water. Variation in supply and growth in demand have been major areas ofconcern. Since the 1860s, the continent has experienced nine major droughts, someof which have lasted a decade. Water consumption has also increased sharply since1983-84. Water reuse is still in its infancy in Australia. In the major cities,mainly situated on the coast, little reuse occurs and the wastewater isdischarged with varying levels of treatment to coastal ecosystems. Some indirectreuse occurs in inland areas where discharge of treated wastewater occurs tolocal streams from which it is withdrawn for irrigation and for the potablesupply of downstream towns. In recent times there has been a growing and strongsupport for reuse among special interest groups concerned with the environment;the result of recent droughts and a realization that the major urban supplies arefinite and in many cases may be approaching sustainable yields. To focus on thepotential economic value of this resource, the Queensland Government has decidedto initiate and develop a Queensland Water Recycling Strategy which will addressthe many issues pertaining to sustainable reuse and ultimately developinitiatives that will maximize the use of wastewater and storm water inQueensland. This paper discusses the purpose and scope of the Water RecyclingStrategy and describes three reuse demonstration projects. Includes 4 references, appendices.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 01/01/2000 Number of Pages: 11File Size: 1 file , 110 KB