The Solution
Sustainable Water Practices
It would be nice to turn off the tap and remove the pipelines around Australia so once again people may enjoy the beauty of the oceans, rivers and waterways without illness or experiencing a denuded environment. A holistic and committed approach is required, looking at not what do do with our waste, but achieving sustainability within the water cycle.
The solution to the problem of outfalls lies with the methodology of Integrated Catchment Management. This process, when implemented in a committed manner by Government and Water Authorities, can gain a sustainable balance between water quantity and water quality, land use and waterway health. When all components of the water cycle are managed with the environment in mind, all water is used as a resource and the huge volumes of "waste at the end of the pipe" are not evident.
Sustainability requires integration of social, economic and environmental factors. The natural infrastructure of beaches and rivers needs to be as valued much as the built infrastructure of pipelines ant treatment plants.
The Basics
UPGRADE OLD INFRASTRUCTURE
From pipelines to treatment plants, decommissioning outdated infrastructure and replacing with state-of-the-art technologies is needed. Increasing sewage treatment to Tertiary or Potable standards opens opportunity for reuse instead of waste.
MAXIMISE WATER REUSE AND RECYCLING
Water Authorities around the world are optimising the benefits of selling recycled water. From the 'Purple Pipe' schemes to everyday people in their own homes doing their part. Increasing availability through upgrades to the sewage system, and pipelines will see more wastewater being used, instead of wasted.
MINIMISE WATER USE
Becoming water efficient is not only cost effective, but a world saver. Governments use regulations and incentives to drive down water use in industry. We can do the same at home.
SEPARATING TRADE WASTE
Trade Waste from industries entering the sewage system impacts greatly on the ability to efficiently remove the pollutants in treatment for wastewater reuse and recycling. New technologies and industry planning will hopefully one day direct liquid industrial waste out of the sewage system to be treated either on site, or disposed of in special treatment plants.