Business Environment Network Online
By Max Pichon
Water holds the key to Australia’s long-term productivity and quality of life based on technological innovation and scientific advances, according to a report on water management by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). The report favours the idea of creating drinking water supplies through recycled water through innovative water treatment processes. But the report notes that innovation is impeded by existing long-term investments in infrastructure and systems and technology lock-in, and governments should encourage investment and uptake of energy efficient and flexible water supply options that increase efficiency and productivity and reduce environmental impact.
It says government support for innovation should be carefully targeted to accelerate the development and uptake of efficient technologies while minimising the risk of technology lock-in, reduced competition and crowding out of private investment. The report titled, Sustainable water management: Securing Australia’s future in a green economy, was released by the ATSE following a year-long study led by ATSE Fellows Brian Spies FTSE, the former Research Director at Sydney Water, and Graeme Dandy FTSE, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Adelaide. The report notes that investment decisions in water infrastructure should use the best science to balance social, economic and environmental factors and take account of the cost of externalities such as greenhouse emissions, land degradation and water pollution. Technological innovation and scientific advances will play key roles in increasing understanding of the water cycle, especially in areas such as hydrological modelling and forecasting, increased efficiency of water use, improved environmental outcomes and the ability to adapt rapidly to changes in climate and demand. Technology innovation could include:
- Improvements in direct potable water recycling technology;
- Reduced energy use in water management; and
- Reduced water use in power generation.
Noting that water is interrelated with almost all sectors of the economy – including agriculture, mining, electricity production, manufacturing, recreation and tourism - ATSE recommends that water policy should be fully integrated across all relevant sectors within government, to recognise the multiple roles of water within the Australian economy and community. The report was launched on May 4 in Sydney by Professor Stuart Bunn, Acting Chair of the National Water Commission. The launch will be followed by two seminars on key water issues:
More information on the ATSE website.
