The Future of Water: Is Bendigo Heading Towards a Drinking Water Crisis?
It's a stark reality: as our populations swell and the climate continues its unpredictable dance, many regional towns across Australia are staring down the barrel of a future with less drinking water. And right now, the central Victorian city of Bendigo is in the spotlight, with projections indicating a potential shortfall in just 15 years.
Damian Wells, the managing director of Coliban Water, the region's water authority, has emphasized that constant effort is required to secure Bendigo's water supplies. He pointed out that we cannot simply keep relying on surface water inflows as the sole solution. In fact, inflows to water storages upstream of Bendigo have seen a significant 53% decrease over the past three to four decades. While less water is flowing in, demand is set to surge. The City of Greater Bendigo anticipates becoming home to 200,000 residents by 2050, a substantial 65% increase from the 2021 census figures.
"Bendigo currently enjoys excellent water security," Wells stated. "However, we must continuously enhance our water sources, procure water from the market, and potentially explore purified recycled water for the future. Given climate change projections, it would be incredibly short-sighted not to have a diverse range of options readily available."
The water authority is actively investigating a new groundwater supply for Kyneton and Tylden, located south of Bendigo, and is awaiting the outcome of a license application to Goulburn-Murray Water for its use.
Are Permanent Water Restrictions the New Normal?
It's worth noting that permanent water-saving rules have been in effect across Victoria since 2011. These rules mandate the use of trigger nozzles on hoses, limit watering system usage, and restrict water for cleaning hard surfaces like driveways. Just recently, Central Highlands Water escalated water restrictions from stage one to three in towns north of Ballarat, such as Smeaton and Newlyn, due to groundwater levels in the Forest Hill region mirroring those experienced during the millennium drought.
Professor Tony Wong from Monash University's Centre for Sustainable Development highlighted that water security challenges are a global concern. "This is something nearly every nation grapples with concerning drought resilience," he explained. "Many cities are now adopting the concept of 'fit-for-purpose' water use – where water availability isn't the bottleneck for growth, but rather how we choose to use it."
The Promise of Recycled Water
Local and state bodies are cautioning against an over-dependence on rainfall as the climate warms and demand escalates. Infrastructure Victoria has pointed to the impending shortfall in Bendigo, as well as Geelong and Melbourne, by recommending that the state government initiate a pilot program for recycling wastewater for drinking purposes.
Jonathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, commented, "Recycled water is more cost-effective than treated stormwater and is less dependent on rainfall, making it a more resilient solution in our changing climate."
A spokesperson for the Victorian government confirmed that their water security taskforce is examining all feasible options, including those for regional communities. They highlighted an investment of $25 million to upgrade the water supply systems for Daylesford, Hepburn, and Hepburn Springs, along with the Bendigo Recycled Water Factory, to boost recycled water availability and reduce the risk of restrictions. Furthermore, $24 million in grants has been allocated for integrated water management projects aimed at unlocking the benefits of recycled water and stormwater.
However, Professor Wong suggests that purifying all water to drinking standards might be an overly expensive approach for regional cities and towns. He proposed that in growing areas with new housing developments, installing a separate tap for recycled, non-potable water could be a practical solution. This would conserve drinking water by using recycled water for tasks like garden irrigation, flushing toilets, and laundry, a concept he believes is more feasible in new constructions than retrofitting entire existing cities.
Professor Wong advocates for location-specific solutions, emphasizing that reusing water multiple times, employing it for its intended purpose, and connecting urban areas with adjacent agricultural needs can lead to greater overall sustainability.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that the focus on recycled water, while innovative, could still be a costly endeavor for smaller communities. Is it fair to expect regional towns to bear the brunt of these advanced infrastructure costs? And what about the public perception of drinking recycled water? Are we truly ready to embrace this as a mainstream solution, or will it remain a niche option? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with the proposed solutions, or do you have alternative ideas for securing our future water supply?
