Episode: 10
Title: Our Water Security Long Term Supply
Broadcast: 21st November 2015
Presenter: Chrissy Morrissy

We live in one of the driest places in the world in WA and its getting drier. Less than 17 % of our drinking water came from rainfall last year and at the same time our population continues to expand which is why water security and climate resilience for our state’s future’ is a serious topic.

• The Water Corporation has identified three pillars to secure our supplies for future generations; reducing water use, identifying new sources and recycling water. Reducing water use is where we all come in, not just at home but in the workplace as well.

• As consumers we are realizing that smarter water use is not just benefitting our water reserves but our pockets, in fact the latest figures shows that we are using 34% less water than we were in 2001.
• From advice on grey water recycling to rainwater tanks and water saving devices even smart water meters that can detect leaks before thousands of liters of water are lost.

• A host of waterwise programs run by the Water Corporation encouraging and supporting businesses to rethink their water usage are also easily accessible. WA now has hundreds of business throughout the state that are waterwise accredited organizations, from local governments to city office buildings business.
• Two desalination plants now provide 41% percent of our water with no reliance on rainfall.

• Tapping into underground aquifers will provide us with 42% of our water needs. However, this is having an effect on the water level of aquifers which has driven the push for recycling of water to become a priority.
• When this recycling plant is completed next year, the process will be further refined and this will return billions of liters to underground aquifers and providing 20% of our drinking water by 2060.

Water Corporation: Contact - 13 10 39

Website: http://www.watercorporation.com.au/water-supply-and-services/solutions-to-perths-water-supply