Peter Ker Water And Environment Reporter
August 30, 2008
AUSTRALIA could be using 400 per cent more energy to supply its drinking water by 2030 if the policy trend towards seawater desalination were to continue.
The warnings in a soon-to-be released report by the Water Services Association of Australia come after seawater desalination was likened to a petrol-guzzling “six cylinder” family car by one of Australia’s top water bureaucrats at a major summit in Melbourne.
The WSAA energy report is understood to model several national water-supply scenarios for 2030, with a future based around seawater desalination the most energy-intensive.
The report will warn that if desalination became the primary source of supplying around 300 litres per person per day, energy use would rise by 400 per cent above today’s levels.
The Age - 30 Aug 08 - Water plant to guzzle energy
