Beattie Makes Difficult, But Correct, Decision
Other states' leaders seem to think that Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie's decision to recycle Brisbane's effluent for drinking is politically foolhardy. On the face of it, they're misguided.
Some people will find the thought of drinking recycled effluent off putting. But opposition to the announcement has been muted so far, and the decision makes sense when considering the facts. Greater than 99% of the billions of litres of effluent that's treated and dumped every year is fresh water.
The level of contamination in effluent is far less that the concentration of salts in sea water, making the impurities easier to remove. Much easier and less energy intensive than sea water desalination.
Even John Howard says its a good idea. How can we ignore that recommendation?
We'll just have to wait to see if other states follow suit. My guess is they eventually will, although I wouldn't bet on NSW's Iemma government changing its mind in the coming four weeks.
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It is a good move. But why so long? And why is recycling a last resort? When a resource is scarce and not renewing itself, surely recycling is a first resort.
The "yuk" factor is hard to understand for anyone not born in Australia. When I started general science at high school in the UK, one of the first things that we did was draw a diagram of a water recycling plant. We grew up with the idea that recycled water is clean, fresh, in no way a health hazard and perfectly normal. I note that the media "debate" focuses exclusively on the politics of the situation - not once have I seen the science or technology of water recycling discussed.
I'm afraid those who oppose it based on the "yuk factor" are simply wrong and you can only assume ignorant and/or misguided. It's an education issue. So I'm rather glad that it won't be put to a public vote - though recent opinion polls seem to show a large majority in favour. Perhaps people are better able to deal with media scaremongering and misinformation than we thought! Very encouraging if true.
Yep - this debate has been getting me very irritated. When I lived in London 30 years ago, we all knew that every glass we drank had been through 7 other people before we got it. The talk of 'recycled sewage' is just scaremongering stuff. And I read today that if you open a frozen chook bag in the sink you are most likely contaminating everything there with far worse stuff.
Now I say to people that water that has evaporated from some fetid, stagnant swamp is recycled - what's the difference?
It's just a matter of honest education - but that doesn't make for exciting tabloid copy.
Peace people
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