The News Review:
- Salty dam may boost WA water supply
- Farmers face off with smelt water policy.
- Water supply restored after leak
- Cost hitch to tank rebate
- Capital supplies arrogance instead of drinking water
Salty dam may boost WA water supply
The Age – Jun 14, 2007
The state government-commissioned report found theCollie-Wellington dam, used for drinking water before it turnedsaline in the 1960s, has the potential to become an importantsource of water for drinking and other uses. The report says while the WA’s southwest dam is a realisticsource of water, more work must be done on salinity recovery, watertreatment and water sharing. Water Minister John Kobelke said while the dam could be a futuredrinking water source, it would be costly and take years todevelop. “This water source is not a short-term solution to theincreasing impact of a drying climate and growing population andgrowing population and business demand for water,” Mr Kobelkesaid. He said the report’s findings vindicated the state government’sdecision to build a second desalination plant in the state, parchedafter years of drought. However, opposition WA water resources spokesman John Day saidif that fresh water source was achievable, the state governmentshould have acted on developing it earlier…
“This water source is not a short-term solution to theincreasing impact of a drying climate and growing population andgrowing population and business demand for water,” Mr Kobelkesaid. He said the report’s findings vindicated the state government’sdecision to build a second desalination plant in the state, parchedafter years of drought. However, opposition WA water resources spokesman John Day saidif that fresh water source was achievable, the state governmentshould have acted on developing it earlier. “If this government had taken the option seriously instead oftrying to differentiate on a point of politics, the use of the damcould be well advanced,” Mr Day said. “The need for a second desalination plant may well have beenavoided. Mr Day said the state government was not planning properly forWA’s future water needs and should prioritise making the dampotable.
Farmers face off with smelt water policy.
Free with registration – The Record – AccessMyLibrary.com – Jun 14, 2007
The 41-page Endangered Species Act requires the government to save — "to the extent practicable" — species faced with extinction. Sometimes, there is.
Water supply restored after leak
BBC News – Jun 14, 2007
A burst water main at Glencrutchery caused the supply to be cut off on Thursday morning, but it was later isolated and repaired. Customers were warned they could experience some air in the supply or discoloured water for a short time after the supply was reconnected. Anyone with any problems should contact the Water Authority…
A burst water main at Glencrutchery caused the supply to be cut off on Thursday morning, but it was later isolated and repaired. Customers were warned they could experience some air in the supply or discoloured water for a short time after the supply was reconnected. Anyone with any problems should contact the Water Authority.
Cost hitch to tank rebate
NEWS.com.au – Jun 14, 2007
article-tools –> Rosanne Barrett June 14, 2007 12:00am WATER saving will become more costly from July with changes to water tank rebates in the Brisbane City Council budget. After June 30, home and business water tanks must be connected to their internal supply to be eligible for a council rebate, potentially adding hundreds of dollars to the cost. As part of Lord Mayor Campbell Newman’s fourth budget, he outlined a range of strategies to deal with the ongoing drought and water supply crisis. Plumbed water tanks greater than 3000 litres will attract a $600 rebate, while tanks with more than a 5000-litre capacity will be subsidised by $850. Current rebates are $500 for the smaller tanks and $750 for a larger tank plus $100 for a plumbing rebate. With a total recurrent budget of $16 million annually, Cr Newman dismissed claims it was a cost-cutting measure for council. "This is not about saving money at all, this is about ensuring that the money from the ratepayers – the subsidy we’re providing – is actually spent on saving water," Cr Newman said.
Capital supplies arrogance instead of drinking water
Economic Times – Jun 14, 2007
But thePresident did not have to put up with the terse instruction that a lesser mortalreceived the other day from a Board factotum, when he registered a complaintabout water tankers not arriving on time: Jab pani nahin hai, kya kam karoge?Chhutti marke ghar baitho aur tanker ki intezaar karo (What work will you dowhen thereâs no water at home? Take leave and stay at home, wait for thetanker to arrive). Such rank arrogance from an inefficient serviceprovider has become a rarity in liberalised India. For its manifold failure tosupply water, the Jal Board perpetually blames short supplies from neighbouringstates â About 85% of the Boardâs water comes from Haryana and UttarPradesh, the rest from groundwater. However, the reality is that theBoard pumps out 250-300 litres of water per day per consumer (the Boarddoesnât reach out to all of Delhiâs population, in any case). Agreat many cities around the world manage to supply water round the clock,everyday of the year, with much less water. About 170 litres of water perconsumer a day is considered sufficient to perform this feat. Nor are all suchcities in the developed world…
For its manifold failure tosupply water, the Jal Board perpetually blames short supplies from neighbouringstates â About 85% of the Boardâs water comes from Haryana and UttarPradesh, the rest from groundwater. However, the reality is that theBoard pumps out 250-300 litres of water per day per consumer (the Boarddoesnât reach out to all of Delhiâs population, in any case). Agreat many cities around the world manage to supply water round the clock,everyday of the year, with much less water. About 170 litres of water perconsumer a day is considered sufficient to perform this feat. Nor are all suchcities in the developed world. Phnom Penh in Cambodia manages todeliver 100% on supplying water 24×7 to all its consumers, Jakarta in Indonesia92% and Vientiane in Laos 50% â all with lower per capita availability ofwater than Delhiâs. The Jal Boardâs score is 1%.