Water Book

  1. Overview
  2. Foreword
  3. Contents, Acknowledgements
  4. Introduction
  5. Chapter 1: Current water availability and use
  6. Chapter 2: Water values
  7. Chapter 3: Water and climate
  8. Chapter 4: Groundwater
  9. Chapter 5: Water quality
  10. Chapter 6: Urban water sustainability
  11. Chapter 7: Future urban water supplies
  12. Chapter 8: Irrigation
  13. Chapter 9: Water for the environment
  14. Chapter 10: Water in mining and industry
  15. Chapter 11: Conclusions
  16. Endnotes, Index

Chapter 7: Future urban water supplies

Page 11 of 16

An aerial view of the desalination plant at Kwinana, Western Australia.By Stewart Burn

Australia’s largest cities are forecast to require 1150 GL/year (or 73 per cent) above the current supply of 1505 GL/year by 2050. In addition, current supplies will probably reduce as a result of climate change, requiring additional augmentation.

Overview

Desalination is the most adopted technology to date, providing 484 to 674 GL/year of additional water. There is potential for major improvements in the efficiency and cost of desalination.

Other potential water sources include rainwater tanks, capturing and reusing stormwater, and indirect potable recycling – all of which have their particular strengths and weaknesses.

Traditionally, financial and technical considerations were emphasised when exploring new water supply options; now, consideration is also being given to social acceptability, and environmental costs and benefits. There will be different solutions to new supplies for each city, given their very different situations.

Or download the whole book (two options):