$80m water saving deal announced ...

From ABC News:

28 April 2006

$80m water saving deal announced

The Queensland Government and 18 south-east Queensland councils have signed an agreement aimed at saving 60 million litres of water a day.

The $80 million deal involves preventing water main leaks.

Brisbane's Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says reducing water pressure is one way to make a difference.

"You reduce the pressure in the system so you don't get as much leakage and also you don't get the explosive breakages that you sometimes see," he said.

Water is a hot political topic, with one radio talkback caller today suggesting a pipeline from the state's north to funnel excess water to south-east Queensland dams.

"The amount of fresh water that's dropped in the Gulf and the Cairns regions and so on and goes out to sea, it's a waste," he said.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie did not discount it.

"We're happy to look at any option at the moment," he said.

But he says it would be expensive.

See - Water savings.

So Premier Beattie is happy to look at all options.

Pity Mayor Thorley isn't ...