Page 4650 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 27 November 2019
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find life. Every single plant and animal relies on water in order to survive. We drink water and use it daily in the home and at work. We rely on water in our agriculture practices, as well as for the manufacturing of various products. We have a responsibility to ensure that we are using water in a sustainable way so that we can meet current and future challenges, be responsive to climate change and leave a positive environment for future generations.
The ACT government has been working to ensure Canberra’s long-term water future. In response to prolonged periods of severe dry conditions and the 2003 bushfires, our government has embarked on a major strategy to bolster water security. The ACT government has made significant investments to increase water storage capacity in the ACT. It has increased our total water capacity from 205 gigalitres to 278 gigalitres, a 35 per cent increase compared to only seven years ago.
Water sensitive urban design and permanent water conservation measures have resulted in major reductions in demand for water resources. We have also added new water resources such as stormwater harvesting and re-use at the neighbourhood level across the inner north. The ACT government has put investment into water security and the results have been clear. Since water restrictions were lifted, Canberra’s average per capita water consumption has consistently been 35 to 40 per cent lower than prior to when the water restrictions were first introduced. This is one of the largest sustained water use reductions per capita in Australia.
While we have been successful in ensuring water security for Canberrans, we must continue to look ahead. The ACT government has been working with Icon Water and the community to ensure that we have water to meet the present needs for security and safe drinking water without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Since 2010 the ACT has had a scheme of permanent water conservation measures administered through Icon Water. These include rules and guidance around matters such as garden and lawn watering, pool filling and cleaning with potable water. These measures are mandatory and enforceable. Icon Water recognises that while our system is secure now, there is always the possibility of ongoing dry conditions that will require water restrictions to protect our water supplies.
Therefore, decisions regarding water restrictions and future security projections are based on a range of factors, including water storage levels, catchment conditions, predicted demand and climate outlook. Icon Water is constantly reviewing water storage levels and the climate outlook to inform the need for additional water restrictions.
In Icon Water’s Source water strategy 2018-2030 Icon Water states that if storage falls below 50 per cent the general manager of business services is responsible for initiating a complete review of planning variables and assumptions used to analyse water security, to ensure that they remain the most appropriate. We are not at 50 per cent yet. I understand that Icon Water has already begun the process to review its systems to ensure that we are in a good position now and into the future. Despite the
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