Water restrictions announced today should have been in place 10 months ago when dam levels reached 45 per cent capacity and the government has been too slow in realising people want ideas for saving water, not just restrictions, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
“The Government made it clear today it is afraid to make the decisions necessary to reduce Sydney’s thirst for water.
“Hand-held watering should have been restricted to only two days each week in August last year, as it has been clear for a long time that dams levels were falling at an alarming rate. A quarter of all household water use happens in the garden and people are clearly prepared to do more with less.”
Mr Cohen said the government had made little effort to inspire people with ideas for reusing and recycling the water they use at home.
“People feel like they are making a difference if they believe they can solve a problem. Apart from a few websites, where is the effort to inspire people with the easy-to-do ideas they can save water with?”
Taking shorter showers, only using a washing machine when its full, not leaving the tap running when cleaning teeth, using only the half flush on toilets, putting a brick in the toilet cistern, heavily discounted native plants that need little water, and leaving a bucket in the shower while running for use on the garden are all simple ideas not being promoted heavily enough, Mr Cohen said.
“Sydney could have a sustainable water supply but that would require much greater effort to conserve and recycle water than this government has so far made.”
Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656
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