AWWA REUSE52080

Australia is the second driest continent, second only to Antarctica. Approximately 80% of Australia has a median rainfall of less than 600mm per year and 50% less than 300mm. Australia's economy is dependent upon an abundant supply of water. Variation in supply and growth in demand have been major areas of concern. Since the 1860s, the continent has experienced nine major droughts, some of which have lasted a decade. Water consumption has also increased sharply since 1983-84. Water reuse is still in its infancy in Australia. In the major cities, mainly situated on the coast, little reuse occurs and the wastewater is discharged with varying levels of treatment to coastal ecosystems. Some indirect reuse occurs in inland areas where discharge of treated wastewater occurs to local streams from which it is withdrawn for irrigation and for the potable supply of downstream towns. In recent times there has been a growing and strong support for reuse among special interest groups concerned with the environment; the result of recent droughts and a realization that the major urban supplies are finite and in many cases may be approaching sustainable yields. To focus on the potential economic value of this resource, the Queensland Government has decided to initiate and develop a Queensland Water Recycling Strategy which will address the many issues pertaining to sustainable reuse and ultimately develop initiatives that will maximize the use of wastewater and storm water in Queensland. This paper discusses the purpose and scope of the Water Recycling Strategy and describes three reuse demonstration projects. Includes 4 references, appendices.