Political cowards on water

On the day the the Queensland Premier announced his backflip on recycled water, I was listening to Richard Glover on 702 ABC yesterday afternoon and he made a very valid point about the issue. Glover wanted to make the point, in response to those who are squeemish over treated recycled water, that the water supply doesn't just fall on to the damn but the vast bulk of the water is run-off from catchment areas.

Thats right, the water falls on to near-by land areas where animals go to the toilet. That water then trickles through mud and muck to a stream full of more muck and fish-poo and then trickles into our dams. That water is then treated and tested and then sent into our water supply. This happens already! Shock horror! One could say that, partially, our water supply is treated animal effluent!

However, I am starting to believe that the mainstream are starting to come to terms with the fact that we need to move to recycled water for all of our water needs. Yet who are the main opponents to recycled water? No its not John Howard (surprisingly) but both the Labor NSW State Government and the Liberal opposition lead by Peter Debnam who are ruling out recycled water for drinking purposes. Not only this but Debnam is advocating another useless and environmentally destructive dam for the Hunter region.

Let me assure you that the Greens are the only major party in this upcoming NSW state election that has a comprehensive strategy for using safe recycled water to secure our water supply. The NSW Greens Ian Cohen has a media release statement on it here.

This election is building up to be an election based on all of the party's environmental credentials. It is now clear, as it has been for a long time now, that the Labor and Liberal Party do not have the political will to secure the states future needs. This latest failure of political will on water is one more reason why we must vote Green this election.