Glossary words When a word is printed in bold, click on it to find its meaning. Explore the debate about managing our precious water resources

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1 Explore the debate about managing our precious water resources Clic re e h k for Copyright & Acknowledgements What s the issue? Australia s water shortages 4 Australia s precious water resources 6 Natural causes of Australia s water shortages 8 Human causes of Australia s water shortages 10 How have Australia s water resources been managed over time? 12 How is Australia s water used? 14 The national Water for the Future strategy 18 Making irrigation in Australia sustainable 20 Desalination 22 Conserving Australia s water resources 24 The future of Australia s water resources 28 Viewpoints: Is desalination the solution to Australia s water shortages? 0 Glossary 1 Index 2 Glossary words When a word is printed in bold, click on it to find its meaning.

2 An issue is an important topic of interest or discussion that has two or more opposing sides. Issues are often controversial matters that stimulate debate within the media and the community. How water shortages in Australia are addressed is one of the most hotly debated issues in Australia today. Why are water shortages an issue? Fresh water is essential for plants, animals, humans and the environment. It is a valuable and scarce resource. Water shortages occur when there is not enough fresh water to meet the normal needs of households, industry and agriculture. Water shortages can be caused by droughts, which occur naturally when rainfall is abnormally low. They can also be caused by humans using too much water. Sustainable water use means managing the use of water to prevent water shortages now and in the future. Why are water shortages in Australia an issue? Australia receives less rainfall than every other continent except Antarctica. Almost half of Australia is desert. Water shortages in Australia are an issue because water is a limited resource in Australia. Australia s water resources need to be managed to ensure they are sustainable. More than 600 mm 20% Less than 00 mm 50% mm 0% Large areas of Australia receive less than 00 mm rainfall. This pie chart shows the percentage of Australia that experiences each level of rainfall. You decide Demand on Australia s water resources Australia is ranked twelfth in the world in terms of water use per person per year. As Australia s population grows, the demand for water grows. Different groups in the community have different opinions about the best way to address this situation. 4 In this book you can learn about the various issues relating to the bigger issue of water shortages in Australia. Like a good debate, the book will present you with the key facts and viewpoints, providing information that will help you develop and justify your own opinions and arguments. This diagram shows where Earth s water can be found. 5

3 Our water comes from the Earth s water cycle and we access it in three forms: rainfall, surface water and groundwater. Water is precious in Australia because rainfall, and therefore the supply of water, is low and unreliable. The water cycle The water cycle is a continuous natural system driven by the Sun. It constantly renews fresh water resources around the world. When water is heated by the sun, some evaporates into the atmosphere as water vapour. As water vapour rises in the atmosphere, it cools and turns back into droplets of liquid which form clouds. This process is called condensation. These droplets eventually fall as precipitation (rain, snow and hail). Australia s surface water resources Surface water is run-off that has flowed into freshwater storage. This includes streams, rivers, wetlands and lakes. Run-off varies enormously throughout Australia. Only 12 per cent of annual rainfall reaches streams. Most rainfall evaporates or becomes groundwater. People in Australia have built many dams to store surface water for later use. Australia s groundwater resources Some precipitation remains on the surface and feeds into streams and rivers as run-off. Some sinks into the ground and becomes groundwater. Groundwater is water that lies under the ground. Most groundwater is found in the Great Artesian Basin, which covers 22 per cent of Australia. Some groundwater is piped to the surface and used by farms, towns and cities in areas with low rainfall. Thirty per cent of the water we use is groundwater. Water resources More than half of Australia s run-off is in northern Australia where few people live. Run-off for the Tully River in north Queensland, shown here, is more than 19 per cent. Water we use Groundwater 17% Surface water 8% Precipitation in Australia Precipitation is water that falls from the sky as rain, hail or snow. Most precipitation in Australia occurs as rainfall. Only a tiny area of Australia receives winter snowfall. Australia s average annual rainfall is 420 millimetres. This is the lowest rainfall of all of the world s continents except for Antarctica. Some coastal areas receive adequate rainfall, but most of Australia has extremely variable and unreliable rainfall. Groundwater 0% Surface water 70% These pie charts show how much of the water available in Australia is surface water or groundwater, and how much of each we use. Stored water resources More than 500 large dams together hold 91 per cent of Australia s stored water, which is used to supply towns, cities and farms with water, and to generate electricity. 6 7

4 Australia s low and unreliable annual rainfall is a major cause of water shortages. There are two natural reasons for this: physical geography and surrounding oceans. Surrounding oceans Australia is an island continent surrounded by three oceans. Oceans have different cycles of heating and cooling, which influence weather patterns. Ocean cycles greatly affect rainfall in Australia. Physical geography Australia s physical geography has a big effect on its rainfall pattern. Australia s mountains are generally low (around 0 metres), which means they are less effective in trapping rainfall than higher mountains elsewhere. High evaporation rates and water loss by plants and animals reduce the effectiveness of rainfall. Australia s dry climate is mostly caused by its position on the globe, around the Tropic of Capricorn. The centre of Australia is mainly hot and dry. Northern Australia is warm throughout the year. Little rain falls from May to October because air flows from the dry centre of the continent. The Pacific Ocean The Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) cycle operates across the tropical Indian Ocean. It is a key factor creating all major droughts in southeast Australia over the past 120 years. The negative IOD phase produces strong, moist winds that bring above-average rainfall to southern Australia. The positive IOD phase produces weaker, drier winds that bring below-average rainfall. Grea g din ivi t D Trop ic of Capr icorn Ra ge n Lake Eyre iv id in g Ra nge Australia s vast deserts receive little rainfall because they are a long distance from the sea. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle operates across the tropical Pacific Ocean every two to eight years. It has two phases. In the El Niño phase, the western Pacific off Australia cools, producing below-average rainfall, droughts and bushfires. In the La Niña phase, the western Pacific warms, producing above-average rainfall. Warm moist air from the seas off northwestern Australia sometimes brings rain across the continent and into the southern states. 8 Australia is the world s lowest and flattest continent. In many areas there are very few mountains to trap rainfall. a Gre t D The Southern Ocean Mountain ranges trap some rainfall. Areas behind mountain ranges receive less rainfall. This map shows how Australia s physical geography influences rainfall. The Antarctic Vortex is a large-scale system of winds over the Southern Ocean, which normally provides the moist winter westerly winds that southern Australia relies upon for rainfall. Three major ocean cycles affect rainfall in Australia. 9

5 As Australia s population increases, the demand for water increases. Human activities cause water shortages and contribute to climate change. Water consumption Increasing water consumption in Australia contributes directly to water shortages. The increased consumption is a result of growth in population and industries, particularly agriculture. Australia s growing population Australia s population is growing quickly. In 2010, Australia s population was more than 22 million. By 2050, Australia is expected to have 4 million people. Population growth puts pressure on water resources, which leads to shortages, especially during dry periods. Australia s increasing demands for irrigation water Most of the water consumed in Australia is used in irrigation. Over the past 20 years, the increase in irrigation has not been sustainable. In Australia s major agricultural region, the Murray Darling Basin, this has led to severe water shortages. Climate change Most scientists believe that human activities are contributing to climate change. Burning fossil fuels, such as oil, petrol and coal, increases the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In many areas of Australia, climate change has already meant less rainfall and therefore less water. How is climate change contributing to water shortages? Water shortages in Australia are expected to increase in the future due to climate change. Scientists have predicted that Australia s temperatures will rise, rates of evaporation will increase, and rainfall will decrease in most areas. Since 1950, there have been more heat waves, and fewer frosts and cold days. Annual rainfall in southern Australia has declined by 20 to 0 per cent during the past 0 years. Some of the winter rainfall that southern Australia once received now falls on the Southern Ocean. Australian climate change predictions For the latest predictions about climate change in each of Australia s states and territories, see Overusing water resources Only 6.2 per cent of Australia s run-off occurs in the Murray Darling Basin. However, people in this region account for more than half of Australia s total water consumption. 10 Brisbane s rapidly growing population relies on Wivenhoe Dam for drinking water. During a twelve-year-long drought, which ended in 2010, dam levels were so low parts of the dam were completely dry. Factories such as this one in Gladstone, Queensland burn fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This increase in greenhouse gases contributes to climate change. 11

6 Australia s European settlers built settlements near water sources. Later, they began regional and national projects for irrigation and hydroelectricity. In recent years, the focus has been on sustainable use of water. Securing local water supplies Before 1788 Indigenous Australians use water resources in a sustainable way Captain Arthur Phillip chooses the Tank Stream for the location of Sydney Australia s first large dam is built at Lake Parramatta Groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin is used for the first time Pipelines are built to the gold centres of Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie. Regional and national water projects 1907 The Bureau of Meteorology starts collecting and analysing data on climate The governments of Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia sign an agreement on how to use the Murray River s water The River Murray Commission ensures each state receives its share of the Murray s water, and builds dams, weirs and locks The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme is built to provide irrigation and generate electricity. It includes seven power stations and 16 dams A large irrigation system is built in the Kimberley region of Western Australia Water from the Snowy Mountains is diverted west to the Murray River for the first time. 12 Eucumbene Dam is the largest reservoir in the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme. The drought of reduced dam levels. Managing for the sustainable use of water resources 1982 The River Murray Waters Agreement is amended to take water quality issues into account An agreement is signed on how to manage the water, land and natural resources of the Murray Darling Basin. 1990s Irrigation companies are privatised A cap on how much water can be taken from the Murray Darling Basin system is made permanent Organisations began to look at problems with salinity and water quality The Queensland and Australian governments announce a joint plan to control and conserve water in the Great Artesian Basin The National Water Initiative by the Australian Government and all state and territory governments lays the foundation for national water reform Australia s first desalination plant is completed in Perth The Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme begins in Southwest Queensland The new Murray Darling Basin Authority develops a plan to improve water efficiency The Australian Government announces the Water for the Future strategy The Australian Government purchases water entitlements in the Murray Darling Basin, to protect and restore wetlands and rivers. Irrigation channels supply an allocated water entitlement in Berri in the Murray Darling Basin. 1

7 Three major parts of the economy use Australia s water resources: domestic, industry, and primary industry. Water is very important to each of these areas. Domestic water consumption Household water consumption includes water used by local councils, businesses, shops and government. It includes water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and for outdoor use. Since 2002, household water consumption has decreased due to water restrictions in most states and territories. Water supply Water supply refers to sewerage and drainage services. The amount of water used in water supply also includes water losses due to leakages. PRIMARY INDUSTRY 67.6% { This pie graph shows how much water is used by each part of the economy in Australia. Agriculture 65.1% Mining 2.2% Forestry, fishing, hunting and trapping 0.% INDUSTRY 10.1% { Electricity and gas 1.4% Manufacturing.1% Other industries 5.6% DOMESTIC 22.% { Industries use only 10.1 per cent of Australia s water. There are three main types of industries that consume water. Electricity and gas industries Domestic water consumption is the water used in households and in water supply. Households Industrial water consumption Households 11.2% Water supply 11.1% Only 1.4 per cent of Australia s water is used in the electricity and gas industries. Falling water is used to drive blades called turbines that generate hydroelectricity. This water is put back into the environment for other people to use. Manufacturing industries Water is essential to many manufacturing industries, such as the food manufacturing industry, where it is used for washing, cleaning and processing. In some industries, such as soft drink and bottled water, it forms the bulk of the final product. Food processing uses 28 per cent of the total water used in manufacturing in Australia. One litre of water is needed per kilogram of bakery products and 9 litres of water per kilogram of meat. Other industries Many other industries use water as well. For instance, in coal-fired power plants, water is used to produce steam to drive the turbines that produce electricity. It is also used to cool the heated air in cooling towers before it is released. Hydroelectric dams, such as the Gordon Dam in Tasmania, consume water to generate power. Tasmania has 27 hydroelectric power stations. 14 Water being used in schools is an example of domestic water consumption. 15

8 Primary industry water consumption Primary industry is the largest user of water in Australia. Primary industry includes forestry, fishing, hunting and trapping, mining and agriculture. Primary industries supply products to local communities and for export. Australia exports about 65 per cent of agricultural goods, and almost all the minerals from mining. The money earnt from these exports helps to keep Australia s economy strong. Forestry, fishing, hunting and trapping Mining Very little water is used in forestry, fishing, hunting and trapping, and this is unlikely to change in the future. The amount of water used in the mining industry increased 28 per cent from 2000 to 2005, due to an increase in mining, especially in Western Australia. Agriculture Agriculture uses more water than any other part of Australia s economy. About 10 per cent of agricultural water is used to give water to animals or to clean dairies and piggeries. The rest is used to irrigate crops and pastures. Until 2005, agriculture was overusing water resources. As a result, most rivers and wetlands in Australia s largest agricultural region, the Murray Darling Basin, were not receiving enough water. The environment suffered, and this caused conflict in the community between farmers and environmentalists. Since 2005, agricultural water consumption has fallen because of droughts and limits imposed by governments. People realised that agriculture had taken too much water from natural water storages in the past. Irrigation in agriculture Around a quarter of the products produced in the agriculture industry, including vegetables, fruit and dairy products, rely on irrigation. Cutting water use... will reduce the supply of food and increase the number of farmers leaving the land, resulting in the destruction of farm and rural communities. Andrew Broad, Victorian Farmers Federation President, The Olympic Dam mine in South Australia uses 12 gigalitres of groundwater a year to process uranium, copper, gold and silver. About 85 per cent of Australia s cotton crop relies on irrigation. Much water in open channels like these is lost through seepage and evaporation. 17

9 Managing water resources sustainably Australia s water consumption in the 1990s and early 2000s was not sustainable. Therefore, in 2009, the Australian Government announced the first national water management strategy, called Water for the Future. The strategy aims to make water supply to all Australians sustainable. Our environment, community and economy all depend upon good-quality, sustainable water resources. In order to look after these needs in the future, there are six main aims: 1 to secure the long-term water supply of all Australians 2 to minimise conflicts between water users (states, territories and parts of the economy) to maintain social, economic, cultural and recreational activities for a growing Australian population A CSIRO scientist collects a water sample in order to check water quality. Tackling climate change What actions will be taken? What will the impact be? Scientific research to find out how much Australia s water resources are capable of providing in the future An accurate scientific basis for future water management Irrigation and domestic water supply will be improved Using water wisely Securing water supplies Losses through seepage reduced by using more modern strategies and technologies Less water used by domestic and industrial water users Investment in desalination plants, recycling water, and harvesting and reusing stormwater The cost of water will increase to pay for this The Government will buy back Supporting healthy rivers 18 A new scientific limit will be set on water taken from the Murray Darling Basin 4 to manage Australia s limited water resources in the face of climate change 5 to minimise pollution, salinity and water quality problems Less water wasted in agricultural and domestic water use City dwellers will be encouraged to buy rainwater tanks and greywater systems water entitlements Australian Government Water for the Future Fact Sheet 6 to ensure enough water is available to protect the environment and keep freshwater ecosystems healthy. Water for the Future strategies Water for the Future strategy Many of Australia s river systems are under stress as a result of climate change, drought and a history of taking too much water out of the rivers. More water returned to freshwater ecosystems Agricultural water users in the Murray Darling Basin will have to use less water Finding a balance between making water use sustainable in the long term and looking after the economy is difficult. This is the goal of the Water for the Future plan. 19

10 Irrigation in Australia currently uses more water than is sustainable. Irrigation consumption needs to be sustainable for Australia s economic, social and environmental future. Drip irrigation systems, such as these used on grape vines, minimise water losses. Irrigation in the Murray Darling Basin The Murray Darling Basin contains 65 per cent of the land used for irrigation in Australia. Too much water is being taken from the rivers and wetlands for them to function properly. In 1996, a permanent limit was placed on how much water can be taken from the Murray Darling Basin for irrigation, but this has not solved the problem. Upgrading and modernising irrigation The Australian Government is investing $5.8 billion to help farmers, irrigation water providers and private irrigation companies to adopt more modern and efficient irrigation technologies as quickly as possible. Restoring the Murray Darling Basin rivers and wetlands The water saved by modernising irrigation in the Murray Darling Basin will be returned to the environment to protect and restore the long-term health of the river systems and wetlands. The Australian Government is also buying water entitlements from farmers to restore the environment. There will be a new limit, scientifically calculated, on the amount of water that can be taken out of the Murray Darling Basin. Modern groundwater watering troughs for cattle and sheep, such as this one on a property in New South Wales, reduce evaporation losses by reducing the surface area of water that is exposed to evaporation. Wasted water A lot of water is wasted in irrigation. Between 10 and 40 per cent of irrigation water evaporates or is lost through seepage before it can reach the crops. Inaccurate measurements of the volume of water extracted from rivers and irrigation canals often lead to unnecessary overwatering. Scale of irrigation losses The volume of water that leaks out of irrigation systems or is lost by evaporation is about the same as the amount of water used in Australia s major capital cities. 20 In 2010, the New South Wales and Australian governments bought a property near Moree, New South Wales, containing more than 600 hectares of wetlands. This property has 104 billion litres of environmental water entitlements. 21

11 Desalination is the process of removing dissolved salts and minerals from seawater or groundwater to produce fresh water. Since most large Australian cities are located near the coast, desalination may seem a logical part of the solution to water shortages. Desalination in Australia Desalination in Australia was originally only used in remote communities. As droughts, climate change and population growth stretched limited water resources, authorities turned to desalination to provide water for cities. Desalination provides a reliable source of water that is independent of rainfall. Australia has an unlimited supply of salt water for desalination. Desalination could provide water to Australian cities facing drier conditions in the future as a result of climate change. Growth of desalination in Australia Australian Government s support for desalination Every large Australian capital city has committed to desalination. The amount of water that can be desalinated will increase ten times by 201, from 45 gigalitres per year in 2006 to over 450 gigalitres. The Australian Government s $1.5 billion National Urban Water and Desalination Plan began in It supports desalination, recycling water and reusing stormwater for cities of people or more. Water prices are predicted to rise steadily to pay for desalination. Northern Territory 1. Desalination is controversial Victoria 400 Desalination is a controversial solution to Australia s water shortages because it consumes large amounts of energy and produces greenhouse gases. It also pollutes marine ecosystems when the salty water left over from desalination is returned to the ocean. Western Australia 511 New South Wales 527 South Australia 2 Queensland 56 This graph shows the average amount of water that will be able to be desalinated in each state and territory (except Tasmania) per day by 201. The water is measured in megalitres. Australia s desalination sites and their capacity New South Wales Northern Territory South Australia Queensland Victoria Western Australia Less than 14 megalitres per day Between 14 and 100 megalitres per day Greater than 100 megalitres per day Capacity in gigalitres 22 In 2006, Perth was the first major Australian city to build a desalination plant to provide water for public consumption. It is now the city s biggest single water source, providing around 17 per cent of its water. This table shows how many desalination sites of different capacities Australia will have by

12 Water shortages will continue to be a major issue for Australia in the future, due to climate change. The Australian Government and state and territory governments encourage people to save water. Other possible ways to conserve water resources include using greywater, recycled water or stormwater. Greywater is household water from baths, showers, washbasins and laundries. It includes soap and anything that washes off people and clothes. It should not contain any water from toilets, dishwashers or the kitchen sink. How can greywater be recycled? Household water conservation In 2002, many Australian cities put restrictions on water in response to droughts and falling dam levels. Public education campaigns, such as the WaterWise campaign, taught people how to save water. Many households installed water-saving toilets, shower heads and rainwater tanks. As a result, domestic water consumption fell by 14 per cent from to Recycling greywater Greywater can be recycled to water gardens, flush toilets, refill washing machines and wash cars. It is an important water resource that reduces household water consumption and water costs. [Saving water has been] embraced by urban communities and was one of the great social changes that had occurred in Australia over the last decade. Dr Mike Kelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Water, 2009 These children are using a container to catch greywater from drinking fountains, so it can be recycled. How successful is greywater recycling in Australia? In 2007, 54 per cent of Australian households used greywater. Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory had the highest percentages of households using greywater. Almost a quarter of Australian households used greywater as the main water source for the garden. The Australian Government gives some money back to householders who buy a new greywater system. Rainwater tanks In 2010, 26 per cent of Australian households had a rainwater tank. 24 This graph shows the amount of water used per person in households between and fell in all states except Tasmania. 25

13 Recycled water from sewerage Using stormwater Recycled water is wastewater from city sewerage systems that has been treated so it can be reused safely. Recycled water is regularly used for non-drinking purposes, such as for watering parks, industrial use and irrigation. This way of saving water is controversial because people worry about whether it is safe to drink. Stormwater is run-off following a storm. In cities, the run-off comes from surfaces such as roads, car parks, roofs, parks and gardens. Most stormwater flows into drains, creeks and rivers, and sometimes into the ocean. The volume of stormwater in Australian cities is usually more than the amount of water used in homes. In 2010, the Australian Government announced a $1.8 million fund to research how stormwater in cities could be captured and used to ease the pressure on Australian water supplies. Using recycled water as drinking water Using recycled water for drinking water is an important part of the National Water Commission s strategy to improve Australia s long-term water security. By 2056, up to 0 per cent of southeast Queensland s water supply will be recycled water or water from desalination. Our current urban water cycle is a straight line from dam to disposal, with a shortage of water at one end and pollution at the other. Jenifer Simpson, industrial chemist and water advocate, Cosmos Magazine, 15 December 2006 Arguments for and against using stormwater Arguments for and against using recycled water Arguments for Arguments against Recycled water is a sustainable resource. Many people don t want to drink recycled water. It uses about a third of the energy required to desalinate seawater. People are worried about the health and safety of recycled water. Recycled water produces less pollution than desalination. It is expensive to build storage facilities and pipelines for recycled water. Arguments for Stormwater could provide water security for some cities and towns. Arguments against Stormwater helps maintain the health of waterways, oceans and many fish species. Cities have limited space for stormwater storage Stormwater could be used to water parks, gardens, facilities. ovals, golf courses and other facilities. Stormwater storage and pipeline facilities would It could also refill groundwater sources. be expensive. Stormwater could be captured rather than cause flooding. Stormwater needs proper treatment before it can be used. Recycled water rejected In 2006, Toowoomba residents rejected a proposal to add recycled water to the city s water as a solution to severe water shortages. 26 Recycled water from sewerage is used for flushing toilets, watering gardens and filling ponds in many new suburbs. Events such as this flash flood in Melbourne, on 11 February 2010, often lead to calls for stormwater to be captured. 27

14 There are two huge challenges facing the sustainable management of Australia s water resources in the future: Australia s increasing population, and climate change. Australia s increasing population Currently, water shortages in Australia are worst in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the far southwest of Western Australia, where most people live. Water resources in the future will face increasing pressure as Australia s population grows. Cities, agriculture and industries will demand increasing amounts of water, which will lead to tensions, conflict and environmental damage. Some people argue that we must first stop increasing For our major cities, [water] the population before we conserve water. There is supply will fail to meet demand by strong debate about trying to limit Australia s population 40 per cent by We will need to avoid future environmental problems, including another 800 to 1000 gigalitres water shortages. per year. Tom Hatton, Director, CSIRO s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship Living with the uncertainty of climate change Water shortages in Australia will increase in the future, due to climate change. The following scientific predictions about climate change will further increase the pressure on water resources and create more uncertainty. Predicted changes due to climate change Climate variable Average annual rainfall Increase Decrease Over the northwest of Western Australia, where few people live Over eastern and southern Australia and the far southwest, where most people live Rainfall variability Rainfall predictability Temperature Number of days with above-average heat Number of frost-free days Number of days of extreme heat Evaporation rates Drought frequency and severity Future vision for Australia s water resources Water resources need to be managed in a sustainable way to support Australia s society, economy, culture and environment in the future. New technologies offer some hope for Australia s future water security, but every Australian needs to accept ongoing responsibility for using water wisely. 28 Warragamba Dam supplies 80 per cent of the water for Australia s largest city, Sydney. It is one of the world s largest domestic water supply dams, but was last full in Healthy rivers are an essential part of managing water resources sustainably. 29

15 There are two sides to every issue. There are arguments for and against desalination as the solution to Australia s water shortages. Arguments for: hhdesalination could provide water security. hhmost of Australia s population lives near the coast, and oceans provide an unlimited resource of seawater for desalination. hhthere are serious environmental concerns about building any more large dams in Australia. hhgroundwater can be desalinated in remote communities. hhdesalination can be powered by sustainable energy. hhthe cost of desalination will decrease as technology improves. Arguments against: hhdesalination can increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. hhdesalination plants are expensive to build. Money would be better spent on educating people to be waterwise. hhthe cost of water will increase to pay for the technology. hhit will cause pollution in the oceans. hhother solutions should be tried first. hhdesalination plants are ugly and take up large areas. We don t want to be a pray for rain government. We want to put in place measures that will give us certainty. Former Victorian Premier, John Brumby, referring to Victoria s Wonthaggi desalination plant in 2009 Expert opinion is that desalination must be a last resort to water security, not a first resort. Chris Heislers, Watershed Victoria What do you think? Should desalination be the solution for Australia s water shortages? 0

16 Glossary agriculture growing food crops and raising livestock climate change the process by which the world s climate is changing due to an increase in the levels of certain gases in the atmosphere consumption use controversial a subject where there is strong disagreement desalination the process of making fresh water from salty or brackish water droughts long periods of dry weather when there is not enough water for normal needs economy the system of organising goods and services ecosystems communities of living and non-living things and the interactions between them evaporates liquid water changes to water vapour (gas) when it is heated export sale to other countries gigalitres (one billion) litres greenhouse gases gases such as carbon dioxide that trap heat in the atmosphere greywater wastewater from baths, showers, washbasins, kitchens and laundries groundwater water stored beneath the Earth s surface hydroelectricity electricity generated using water irrigation using water to help crops and other plants grow locks structures on a river that control water levels megalitres (one million) litres pollution making something impure reservoir a place where water is collected and stored run-off water from precipitation that flows into streams, rivers and wetlands salinity the concentration of salt in water or soil seepage the movement of water from the surface into the ground sustainable able to be used and conserved for the future water entitlements rights to take a share or volume of water from a river source in a given season water security having enough water to meet people s needs weirs dams that hold back water so it can be used for irrigation wetlands areas of land that are temporarily or permanently covered by water 1

17 A agriculture 4, 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 28 Antarctic Vortex 9 Australia s water resources 5, 6 7 C climate change 10, 11, 18, 19, 22, 24, 28, 29 conserving water resources D desalination 1, 18, 22 2, 26, 0 domestic water consumption 14, 18, 24 drought 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 19, 22, 24, 29 E Earth s water 4 economy 14, 16, 17, 19, 29 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle 9 evaporation 6, 7, 11, 17, 20, 21, 29 exports 16 F forestry, fishing, hunting and trapping 16 freshwater ecosystems 18, 19 future of water resources 18, G Great Artesian Basin 7, 12, 1 greenhouse gases 11, 2, 0 greywater 18, 24, 25 groundwater 6, 7, 12, 16, 21, 22, 27, 0 H households 4, 14, human causes of water shortages hydroelectric power 12, 15 I Indian Ocean 9 Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) cycle 9 industry 4, 10, 14, 15, 28 irrigation 10, 12, 1, 17, 18, 20 21, 26 M management of water resources 12 1, 18 19, 28 mining 16 Murray Darling Basin 10, 1, 17, 18, 20, 21 N natural causes of water shortages 8 9 O oceans 8, 9 P Pacific Ocean 9 physical geography 8 pollution 19, 2, 27, 0 population 5, 10, 28 precipitation 6 primary industry water consumption R rainfall 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 29 recycled water 1, 18, 24, 26 regional and national water projects 12 run-off 6, 7, 10, 27 S salinity 1, 19 securing local water supplies 12 Southern Ocean 9, 11 stored water 7 stormwater 18, 2, 24, 27 surface water 6, 7 sustainable water use 4, 10, 12, 1, 18, 19, 20 21, 26, 28 W water consumption 14 15, 16 17, 22, water cycle 6 water entitlements 1, 18, 21 Water for the Future strategy 1, water use in Australia 10, 12 1, 14 15, water security 1, 18, 22, 26, 27, 29, 0 water supply 7, 10, 12, 14, 26 wetlands 7, 1, 17, 20, 21 2