Toowoomba needs a re-think on recycled water

FORMER South Australian Premier Jay Wetherill reminded everyone that Toowoomba had had a local plebiscite on using recycled water.

ON A recent episode of Tomorrow Tonight, former South Australian Premier Jay Wetherill reminded everyone that Toowoomba had had a local plebiscite on using recycled water, at which the idea was rejected. He then lightly sidestepped the question, and diverted attention away from it.

I doubt that many in Toowoomba would understand why, but the whole of Toowoomba needs to think about the matter.

Recycled water is sprayed into the orchards of NSW's MIA, Victoria's Sunraysia and SA's Riverland, which means that it goes into wine, rice and fruit sold all over the country -- Toowoomba included.

Recycled water is also pumped out of the Murray into Adelaide, where everyone washes in it and drinks it. South Australia simply can't do without recycled water, but doesn't like to discuss the fact.

The recycled water comes from Canberra. It is treated at the ACT's sewage works, then released into the Molonglo River, which flows into the Murrumbidgee, which in turn flows into the Murray. It reaches the sea at South Australia's Lake Alexandrina.

Somewhere on this long journey, obviously, it becomes once again fit for human consumption, direct or indirect.

Nevertheless, it's water which has been recycled.

So -- how many naysayers in Toowoomba have had tea, coffee or a shower in Adelaide?

How many have drunk wine or eaten food produced along the Murrumbidgee and the Murray?

And the next time Australia has a drought like the one from 1997 to 2007, how many Toowoomba residents are going to be picky and thirsty?

Right now there are people in western Queensland who would be most interested in the answer.

G.T.W. AGNEW, Coopers Plains
 

Originally published as Toowoomba needs a re-think on recycled water