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July 2008 |
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SEQ residents respond to recycled water planNearly three quarters of surveyed residents in South East Queensland are prepared to accept the addition of purified recycled water to drinking water supplied from Wivenhoe Dam, according to a recent survey led by CSIRO social scientist, Blair Nancarrow. And most of them trust the scientists “to produce the best science for safe drinking water from the recycling scheme”, citing CSIRO as the most trustworthy source of information. “This was a most instructive look at how the people of SE Queensland feel about their water,” Ms Nancarrow said. “We talked to nearly 600 households in the area served by Wivenhoe Dam where it is planned to boost water supplies by pumping purified recycled water (PRW) into the dam. Each interview took about three-quarters of an hour. “Three quarters of the households we talked to were generally in favour of the scheme. A good majority also said they believed their friends and neighbours would feel the same way and that they generally trusted scientists and government to ensure that any potential problems were avoided. People were particularly concerned that no environmental damage should occur as a result of the PRW going into the dam.” The survey had been designed to understand the issues which influence people’s decisions to support or oppose adding PRW to their drinking water supplies. Ms Nancarrow said that opposition to the scheme would reduce according to other circumstances; for example dropping from 20% to 11% if the scheme meant never having water restrictions again, or if in the first two years of operation there were no PRW-related incidents of ill-health in SE Queensland. The people surveyed were also asked to assess other means of boosting the water supply, with rainwater tanks being seen as the most favourable option. “A very important concept is ‘fairness’ in the Australian community,” Ms Nancarrow said. “Although there was little overall difference in how people rated the fairness of the scheme, the scheme was regarded as significantly less fair to households on low incomes and to those with children. “It’s important to note that our survey is no more than a baseline investigation of community attitudes and we will continue to speak with the residents of SEQ to monitor their views and understand any issues of concern.” The survey was conducted by CSIRO as part of its involvement in the South East Queensland Urban Water Security Research Alliance – a partnership between the Queensland Government, CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, the University of Queensland and Griffith University. The report can be downloaded at: www.urbanwateralliance.org.au/ Contact:
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