How can we improve the sustainability of our water in Canberra?

Thursday 15 April 2010

There was varied discussion at GreenDrinks tonight, which fluctuated between water, transport and a range of other random topics.


Some key points of discussion about how to improve the sustainability of our water in Canberra included:

• Recycled drinking water - which is often better quality than reservoir water
• Address media (scare mongering) and the psychology of drinking recycled water, considering water is typically recycled from rivers
  
• Identify who uses water in Canberra
  
• Establish a system that gives an immediate response to households
• Establish an appropriate price point - pricing water correctly will change what we produce
  
• Consider whether plants should be grown - use shadecloth and mulch as a minimum
  
• Review split-incentives where landlords pay for water of tenants
• Consider sustainable houses and clean drinking water: www.abundantwater.org
• Clarify the sign on Bruce Drive showing water use and water targets as it does not make sense

Other discussion included:

• Frugality - close coal mines but to do this most appropriately they will require compensation
  
• Ignorance is the enemy
• Understand the split of the RET into a small scale and large scale target

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