The issue of whether Australia should use recycled water for human consumption was brought into public limelight when in a referendum Toowoomba overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to add recycled effluent to the city’s water supply. Toowoomba residents were asked to approve a plan to draw 25% of the town’s water from reclaimed effluent, but more than 60% of voters said no to the idea. This issue arose because of the major water shortage in the town. Also, in New South Wales the Pejar Dam has fallen below 9% of its capacity, a dangerously low level of water storage in a dry continent like Australia.
Recycled water is recycled effluent or sewage that is treated to a higher degree of purity required than for being discharged into a body of water such as an ocean outfall. A dual membrane process used in Singapore to recycle waste water to levels which approach that of distilled water. This system has been found to be almost totally safe, except for some chemicals which can not be removed. This produces potable water, water suitable for drinking.

The arguments for the use of recycled water are many; including that Australia must do something about the lack of potable water. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on the Earth but also uses the most water of all countries – 79% to agriculture, 9% to industry and 12% to domestic use. Conservation methods such as dishwashing in batches or using gray water from washing machines to clean cars can only work as long as there is water to use. Leigh Martin says that “Most people who balk at reusing sewage water should be educated about recycling.”

On the other hand, water could be conserved by growing fewer water-hungry crops such as rice, sugar and cotton and planting more cereal crops, fruit and vegetables. It has been claimed that the nature of Australia’s supposed water shortage has been exaggerated but with more efficient water management schemes in place, Australia could avoid the need to use recycled water.
However, Australia’s water problem is likely to grow worse because of population growth and extended periodic droughts. Also, in some areas global warming will probably impact on the water supply. Tom Gosling stated “[that the problem lies] not with the lack of water, but with the huge growth in the number of people who are demanding it.” Supporters of the use of reclaimed water, such as Toowoomba Mayor Di Thorley, say that one way to supplement the supply of water is to recycle it.
Nevertheless, the ‘yuck factor’ of using recycled water indicates the certain level of understanding by the average Australian. People seem to fear the idea of using recycled water and Toowooba is not the only Australian town to recently reject the idea. Malcolm Turnbull stated that “The majority of the Toowoomba community does not support the indirect potable reuse of recycled water.”, yet with reeducation people could be helped to accept the safety of recycled water.

Conversely, a number of chemicals which can not currently be removed, such as detergents, wetting agents and plasticizers, act like the female hormone oestrogen in the body. It is believed that the hormone itself (present from the urine that is going into the recycled water) and the chemicals can have a deleterious effect on developing males in utero. Also the use of recycled water may lead to male infertility. These serious health effects impact on the safety concerns of the public, negatively presenting recycled water.

After much discussion, Toowoomba has abandoned the plan of using recycled water as potable water, but other areas in Australia have begun to look to it as the solution to the ever-growing demands for water.

Another essay written in year 11, detailing the issue of water recycling. I also had to write a one minute oral for it.

Disputing the use of recycled water for domestic use when Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth is just plain stupid! As Australians we must do something about the lack of water. Coming from a rural background, I have been taught by drought that every drop of water is important, even if it comes from a sewage tank. According to the WHO, recycled water is actually safer than the water usually used for human consumption. Treated sewage is released into waterways and dams that potable water is pumped from anyway. Isn’t it better to treat all the water at once and keep our environment healthy? The advanced membrane system used in Singapore could be used for implementing the use of recycled water, making everybody safer. Who wouldn’t agree to that? If we don’t take a positive stance on water recycling, some areas will be forced to purchase carted water. Australia will be left high and dry like a third-world country if this situation continues, with only disease ridden ponds left. Sensible people would agree that using recycled water is the right solution to Australia’s urgent water problems.