Augmentation Options for Urban Water

1
Augmentation Options for Urban Water

• Claude Piccinin
• Water Services Association of Australia

2
Backdrop to Urban Water

• No new dams since the 1980s
• except in Perth
• Population has increased by 6 million
• most live in capital cities
• Demand management
• industrial restructuring
• user pays pricing
• water efficient appliances/fittings
• urban consolidation
• water conservation awareness

3
Future Challenges

• 5 million more people in cities by 2030
• from 4 in Adelaide to 50 in SE Qld
• Economic growth greater affluence
• higher standards of service
• Demand management will play a part
• but it cannot bridge the supply/demand gap
• Demographic change Vs urban consolidation
• Energy/water trade-off
• All options must be considered
• no sacred cows!

4
Direct Cost of Water Supply/Demand Options
(Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Newcastle)
As reported in Securing Australias Urban Water
Supplies Opportunities and Impediments
Discussion Paper prepared by Marsden Jacob Assoc.
for the Dept of PMC.
5
Cost Vs Security of Supply

• Relative cost of option is important, but ....
• It is also important to understand
• climatic reliability of possible options,
• supply reliability of existing sources, and
• environmental social aspects
• e.g. greenhouse gas emissions

6
Water Trading(what might it mean?)
7
Conclusion

• Australian cities have successful record of
  demand management
• will continue in the future
• but low hanging fruit has already been picked
• Future pressures on cities will require
  additional water sources
• all options to be considered on their merit
• different solutions to suit circumstances
• diversity of sources
• Water trading
• will not cause the demise of irrigation
  agriculture
• agricultural output will be greater
• Reliable urban water supplies are essential for
  the ongoing prosperity of the nation