Assignment Help on Water Consumption in Australia
Water consumption levels vary throughout Australia. Average daily water use ranges from as little as 100 liters per person in some coastal areas to more than 800 liters per person in the dry inland areas. The current average daily water consumption is 340 liters per person, or 900 liters per household. In addition, an average of 150 liters of water per person is used every day in the workplace by industry and commerce, community uses such as watering of public parks and gardens, firefighting and system leakage (Abs.gov.au).
Australia is considered to be the driest inhabited continent in the world and because of that, water consumption here is greater than other countries. Agricultural sector uses the most water while residential sector uses the least. Water in Australia is of very good quality since it is chlorinated and fluoridated to make it the best. Australia’s main water supply comes from reservoirs, springs and also the ground water. Water that is used or flushed (waste water) goes to sewage treatment systems. Waste water treatment occurs in four stages. Firstly, waste water passes through fine screens to remove any solid from it and then through small grit traps to remove sand and dirt. Secondly, micro-organisms are used to bread down and remove remaining particles from water. Then some hazardous elements like nitrogen and phosphorus are removed from the water. Lastly, water is purified or disinfection to remove disease causing micro-organisms. Waste water can only be disposed of as permitted by a license under the (Hannam. P, 2014). This mean water has to be treated or contaminants removed and recycled. But that does not mean Australia has no threat to its water supply.
Water supply in Australia is at risk too. Researchers surveyed operations of 41 utilities, including Sydney Water and Melbourne Water and found the threat, driven by climate change, may affect the quality of drinking water as much as its availability (Hannam. P, 2014). The biggest risk is from a combination of unusual weather-related events, such as a drought followed by bushfires and then a flood, rather than a single extreme phenomenon.
“You have more droughts, more rainfall, more heat waves, more bushfires – the more of them together actually makes the intensity of the impact on water quality greater,” (said Stuart Khan, an associate professor of the school of civil and environmental engineering at the University of NSW, and lead author of the report).
Since water supply is at risk and there is a chance of water scarcity, we need to reduce our daily water consumption and have to manage the use effectively.
- Instead of spending 10 minutes in shower, we can fill a bucket and use it to save water getting waste.
- Turn off the tap while brushing, washing our hands, or even rubbing dishes before wash.
- Instead of washing car at home, take it to car wash.
- Fix water leaks and etc.
We need to use recycled water more often so that water wastage can be reduced and it’s more likely to be saving water for future. I am ready to drink recycled water, if it is guaranteed of purity and bacteria free assurance. Since water conservation is increasing day by day, we need to play our part too and I think there is no harm in drinking recycled water if it’s free of disease causing germs. We can save water this way and prevent scarcity in future.
References:
Abs.gov.au, Water account Australia, 2015-2016, viewed on 13th April 2018 <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/lookup/4610.0Media%20Release02015-16>
Hannam.P, 2014, ‘Australian water supplies at risk from extreme weather, study finds’, viewed on 10th April 2018 <
Education.abc.net.au, 2008,’ Where does Waste Water Go?’, viewed on 9th April 2018 <http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/524873/where-does-wastewater-go- >
