Anna Bligh waters down her recycling plan ...
Excerpt from the Australian:
Anna Bligh waters down her recycling plan
19 November 2008
Anna Bligh has reversed her position on the science relating to recycled sewage and industrial effluent, declaring it is unwise to allow dam levels in southeast Queensland to fall to critically low levels before such water is added to the drinking supply.
The Queensland Premier signalled that recycled waste water might not be added to the drinking water supply, as planned next year, if sufficient quantities were purchased by industry users.
Ms Bligh's comments came as splits emerged in the Liberal National Party over recycled water, and pressure mounted on the Government to scrap its plans.
The average level of the three main storages in southeast Queensland rose yesterday to 41.5per cent -- the highest in 3 1/2 years, following heavy rain in catchments since Sunday.
The level is expected to rise further as more rain is forecast this week, and above-average falls are expected over summer. Last year, when the level was 23 per cent and Ms Bligh was infrastructure minister, she said the Queensland Water Commission had advised the Government that the emergency use of recycled water should be triggered when the level reached 40 per cent.
Ms Bligh said yesterday it was better for recycled water to be pumped to Wivenhoe Dam, Brisbane's main storage, when its level was not low, beause it would be safer to drink.
"If you only put the recycled water in when the dam is at a very low level, you're actually drinking it at much higher concentration levels," the Premier said.
"If the Opposition argues that recycled water is unsafe, then surely it would be more unsafe to add it to dams at a lower level."
Ms Bligh said there would be no need to use recycled water for drinking if industry bought sufficient quantities.
"We've always said industry would have the first call, and that any left over would be going into the dam to supplement supplies so we stay ahead of the game," the Premier said.
Ms Bligh said that although recycled water would not be pumped to Wivenhoe Dam if it were used by industry, she thought it unlikely industry demand would rise sufficiently within the next 12 months to change the Government's plans.
The Liberal National Party has vowed to campaign against using recycled water for drinking in the lead-up to the state election next year. Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg argues that the technology to make recycled water safe is unproven.
However, senior members of the former Liberal Party have broken ranks with Mr Springborg. Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman yesterday declared recycled water was safe to drink.
"That's what all the experts have said to me," Mr Newman said. "I believe this should be about science and technology, not about sorts of perceptions."
Mr Newman said the Government's recycling plans should be implemented.
"Anybody who thinks that just because the dams are about 41 per cent the water crisis is over should think again," he said. "We're not out of the woods."
Other influential LNP figures who agree with Mr Newman include former Liberal leader Bruce Flegg and former state president Bob Carroll.
The Government's nervousness on the issue was reflected in a leaked email yesterday sent by Phil Gray, the Labor MP for Gaven, to his parliamentary colleagues that gave the telephone number for the yes vote in a telephone poll on recycled water.
See - Anna Bligh waters down her recycling plan.
19 November 2008
Anna Bligh has reversed her position on the science relating to recycled sewage and industrial effluent, declaring it is unwise to allow dam levels in southeast Queensland to fall to critically low levels before such water is added to the drinking supply.
The Queensland Premier signalled that recycled waste water might not be added to the drinking water supply, as planned next year, if sufficient quantities were purchased by industry users.
Ms Bligh's comments came as splits emerged in the Liberal National Party over recycled water, and pressure mounted on the Government to scrap its plans.
The average level of the three main storages in southeast Queensland rose yesterday to 41.5per cent -- the highest in 3 1/2 years, following heavy rain in catchments since Sunday.
The level is expected to rise further as more rain is forecast this week, and above-average falls are expected over summer. Last year, when the level was 23 per cent and Ms Bligh was infrastructure minister, she said the Queensland Water Commission had advised the Government that the emergency use of recycled water should be triggered when the level reached 40 per cent.
Ms Bligh said yesterday it was better for recycled water to be pumped to Wivenhoe Dam, Brisbane's main storage, when its level was not low, beause it would be safer to drink.
"If you only put the recycled water in when the dam is at a very low level, you're actually drinking it at much higher concentration levels," the Premier said.
"If the Opposition argues that recycled water is unsafe, then surely it would be more unsafe to add it to dams at a lower level."
Ms Bligh said there would be no need to use recycled water for drinking if industry bought sufficient quantities.
"We've always said industry would have the first call, and that any left over would be going into the dam to supplement supplies so we stay ahead of the game," the Premier said.
Ms Bligh said that although recycled water would not be pumped to Wivenhoe Dam if it were used by industry, she thought it unlikely industry demand would rise sufficiently within the next 12 months to change the Government's plans.
The Liberal National Party has vowed to campaign against using recycled water for drinking in the lead-up to the state election next year. Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg argues that the technology to make recycled water safe is unproven.
However, senior members of the former Liberal Party have broken ranks with Mr Springborg. Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman yesterday declared recycled water was safe to drink.
"That's what all the experts have said to me," Mr Newman said. "I believe this should be about science and technology, not about sorts of perceptions."
Mr Newman said the Government's recycling plans should be implemented.
"Anybody who thinks that just because the dams are about 41 per cent the water crisis is over should think again," he said. "We're not out of the woods."
Other influential LNP figures who agree with Mr Newman include former Liberal leader Bruce Flegg and former state president Bob Carroll.
The Government's nervousness on the issue was reflected in a leaked email yesterday sent by Phil Gray, the Labor MP for Gaven, to his parliamentary colleagues that gave the telephone number for the yes vote in a telephone poll on recycled water.
See - Anna Bligh waters down her recycling plan.
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