Evolution of water recycling in Australian cities since 2003

摘要

The prolonged Australian drought which commenced in 2002, and the agreement betweennAustralia’s Commonwealth and States/Territories governments to progress water reform throughnthe National Water Initiative, has resulted in many new recycling projects in Australia’s capitalncities. Dual reticulation systems are being advanced in new subdivision developments in Sydney,nMelbourne and Adelaide. Brisbane has installed three large Advanced Water Treatment Plantsnthat are designed to send indirect potable recycled water to the Wivenhoe Dam which isnBrisbane’s principal water reservoir. Numerous water recycling projects are serving industry andnagriculture. Experimental managed aquifer recharge is being undertaken with wetland-treatednstormwater in Adelaide and reverse osmosis treated wastewater in Perth. New National WaternQuality Management Strategy recycled water guidelines have been developed for managingnenvironmental risks, for augmentation of drinking water supplies, for managed aquifer rechargenand for stormwater harvesting and reuse. Many recent investments are part-supported throughnCommonwealth government grants. Desalination plants are being established in Melbournenand Adelaide and a second one in Perth in addition to the newly-operational plants in Perth,nSouth-East Queensland and Sydney. Despite there being numerous examples of unplannednindirect potable recycling, most governments remain reluctant about moving towards plannednpotable recycling. There is evidence of some policy bans still being maintained by governmentsnbut the National Water Commission continues to reinforce the necessity of an even-handednobjective consideration of all water supply options.