Since reservoir levels have risen to 65%, NSW will relax water restrictions as of this weekend, allowing residents to wash cars with trigger-spray hoses.
In other news, construction sallies forth on the $2 billion desalination plant at Kurnell, which will consume massive amounts of (wind farmed?) electricity and yet only be able to supply 20% of Sydney’s water needs. Sydney Water have received approval to increase the average home’s water costs by $245 per annum by 2012 to fund the desal plant.
I wonder how many car washes (and toilet flushes) with drinking water you get for $2billion. I’d hazard a guess that $2billion would probably significantly subsidise a hell of a lot of rainwater tanks for watering gardens, washing cars and flushing toilets, requiring no electricity, wind powered or not.
-weez
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Tourists are using the water that the restrictions stop US from using.
Shut down a few of those 40-storey hotels which launder tons of linen every day.
peace and love, B
Comment by dysthymiac 06.28.08 @ 6:03 pmBrownie, you’re right that tourism uses a fair few drops, but probably not enough to make a serious dent. I think I’m more worried about wastage from poorly maintained leaky pipes and the abject failure to recover the rainwater we already are discharging into the sea.
The desal plant is just another example of Morris Iemma’s absolute inability to lead. I’m scared shitless that Batty O’Farrell might actually find his way into government, if but by default.
Comment by weez 06.28.08 @ 7:01 pmLeave a comment
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