9.9.3
Managing the impact of drought
The Australian Research Council predicts that within the next 20 years Australia may
FIGURE3 The Tugun Desalination Plant provides drinking water for the South-East Queensland region.
experience a megadrought . Option 1: Government action
Governments have implemented policies to support farmers and their communities prepare for and recover from the impacts of drought. Financial assistance and subsidies
has been provided to enable farmers to introduce water-saving technologies such as drip irrigations systems and enclosing open irrigation channels. Drought Resilience Mission, an initiative of the CSIRO, was launched in 2021 and brings together government, industry, communities and the research sector to develop solutions to reduce the impact of drought.
Desalination plants such as the one shown in FIGURE3 enable seawater to be turned into drinking water. The Tugan Plant can supply 230 megalitres per day. A similar plant in Victoria has the capacity to produce 150 000 megalitres per day (one-third of Melbourne’s annual water needs). This technology is also used in places like Coober Pedy to treat bore water. Around 7500 desalination plants operate worldwide, providing safe drinking water without relying on rainfall. For instance, a digital information product helps farmers access climate data for their specific location. Using this data, farmers can make informed decisions about what to plant, the optimum time to plant and how to make efficient use of their water.
FIGURE4 Collecting roof rainwater can be used for flushing toilets, gardening or car washing. Using a shower timer or tap attachment in the bathroom also helps save water.
During droughts, governments may introduce water restrictions to reduce the pressure on water supplies from households and businesses. They might also offer rebates on water-saving devices, like water tanks, to help ease the demand on water resources. Option 2: You and me — personal action In 2022–23, Australian households used 1799 gigalitres of water, slightly less than the previous year. Given this high usage, homes are an ideal focus for water conservation.
TOPIC9 Water in the world 299
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator