Aussies 'heeding warnings' on water

(AAP) - A massive $30 billion investment in water infrastructure projects has made Australia a world leader in water efficiency, the peak body representing the urban water industry says.

The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) says Australians appear to be
heeding warnings on water consumption with a report showing a significant reduction
in usage in urban areas.
The report shows water consumption in residential Australia dropped by 12 per cent
over the 2007/08 financial year.
The association says greater community awareness of water efficiency and the massive
investment in urban water infrastructure projects had put Australia at the forefront
of managing urban water systems.
Ross Young, executive director with WSAA, said much of the capital expenditure
related to developing new water sources to mitigate risks associated with climate
change and to cut reliance on "rainfall run-off".
Relying on rainfall was a high-risk strategy in an era of climate change, Mr Young
said.
"The extent to which water efficiency has been embraced by urban communities is one
of the great social changes that have occurred in Australia over the last decade."
"Had consumption held at 2002/03 levels, a further 210 gigalitres, equal to the
annual Melbourne household consumption, would have been consumed in 2007/08," he
said.
Mr Young said Australia was now the world leader in implementing water efficiency
programs in cities and towns.
The report also reveals a dramatic increase in the level of investment in water
recycling with the volume of water recycled having risen by 118 per cent since 2002.
Parliamentary secretary for water Mike Kelly said the report showed Australia was
establishing itself as a world leader in managing urban water.
"The WSAA report card highlights the achievements of the urban water industry in
producing substantial water savings and improving efficiency," he said.