Unfortunately for a country that is surrounded by water, Australia is a victim to a persistent drought. Along with rapid population growth and maturing infrastructure in need for upgrades, Australia must take steps to address these issues to ensure the delivery of an efficient, secure and sustainable water supply.
Australia needs a secure water supply as its current water supply is vulnerable to the constant climate change. Entrusting sources such as rivers and groundwater to maintain a steady supply of water is futile as the shortfalls due to floods and droughts are unpredictable. That is why a long term plan is essential to build a resilient water system that includes concurrent services such as sewerage.
There are many different approaches to create a self-sustaining and adaptable water supply. The very first step would be to encourage water-saving behaviour by educating and informing consumers about the water cycle and environmental impacts. Most Australians already do their part to reduce their water footprint by following water restrictions implemented by Sydney Water a decade ago. These restrictions could become our permanent way of life.
Recruiting skilled workers and rewarding talent can also help with water management. Water providers should employ more talented staff since there is currently a need for increased skills in the water sector. Engineers are able to work with smart technology to monitor water usage. Skilled workers are also able to answer the ultimate question, 'how do we know when water security has improved'? Answering this challenging question will involve working relationships among private companies (who know about customers and profits), researchers and ecologists (who know about ecosystem preservation) and politicians and journalists (who know about public opinion).
Improving the way we manage water resources is a pre-condition to Australia's secure water supply which is a prerequisite to other securities, be it energy production, economic growth or human health.
Source:
http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/index.php/featured/infrastructure-australia-update/ia-6
http://designbuildsource.com.au/secure-water-supply-needed-in-australia
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