News
Get the latest news here on what's happening relating to water, wastewater, waste and recycling:
Water Fluoridation
Premier Anna Bligh has announced that the Government would tackle the poor condition of Queensland's oral health by introducing fluoride into the State's water supplies.
Cairns Regional Council Water & Waste serivces will not be involved in the decision for adding fluoride to Cairns' Regional water supply.
For further information contact the Queensland Health Hotline on 1800 509 220 or visit their website www.health.qld.gov.au/fluoride/
Also see: statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au
'Our Cairns Water' Campaign
The 'Our Cairns Water' campaign is an initiative of Water & Waste to raise community awareness about water conservation including how water is provided to the community, how it is used and how it could be better used.
- The aim is to reduce per capita water consumption by 10% of the 2005 consumption level of 500 litres per person per day.
- BUT it is important to consider, that this total daily consumption is by residents, the commercial and industrial sector, for watering of public open space and for rural uses, and the tourism sectors in Cairns ~ Of this, the residential sector consumes almost 50% of all water or 250 litres per person per day.
Cairns’ major water storage Copperlode Falls Dam has a useable capacity of 37,000 million litres. Given that our current consumption is 26,000 million litres per annum, it is clear that if we experience two or three years failed wet seasons then the capacity of the Dam will fall quickly.
Recent population and economic growth have also placed increasing pressure on our environment. And, with our population projected to grow significantly over the next 10 to 15 years, ensuring the sustainability of our natural resources and maintaining Cairns as a lifestyle region is more important than ever.
As a community it is our responsibility to ensure better conservation of our environment and better management of our most precious resource - water. Although Cairns receives some of the highest rainfalls in Australia, water (and lots of it) is the lifeblood of our region. The environment that we love so much relies on water to flourish, so every drop that falls is important.
We need to work together to safeguard the thing that makes Cairns, Cairns now and into the future.
Go to Our Cairns Water Website
Are you interested in using RECYCLED WATER IN CAIRNS?
Water & Waste is preparing a Strategic Plan for Recycled Water use in the Cairns area and is keen to hear from potential customers who would like to use recycled water for non-drinking purposes.
The upgrade of the four major wastewater treatment plants in Cairns under the Cleaner Seas Program will mean that in 2009 high quality recycled water will be available for potential non-drinking water uses such as:
- Irrigation of parks, gardens and sporting fields
- Irrigation of agricultural and horticultural crops
- Commercial or industrial uses
- Construction uses such as dust suppression
- Residential uses such as dual reticulation in new subdivisions
Water & Waste already supplies recycled water to golf courses in the city and is also exploring the potential for supplying recycled water to the Flecker Botanic Gardens.
Recycling high-quality treated water reduces the demand on our drinking water supplies and is a beneficial use of a valuable product, with potentially up to 50 million litres of recycled water available following the Cleaner Seas upgrade, we are keen to expand the use of recycled water for commercial, industrial, large-scale irrigation or potentially dual reticulation schemes at the subdivision level.
Our daily demand for treated drinking water ranges from about 60 million litres in the cooler months to over 100 million litres in the hot and dry months. There is significant potential to replace a proportion of this with high-quality recycled water.
Recycled water may be made available to customers subject to commercial arrangements with Water & Waste. This may include cost sharing for infrastructure and volumetric fees for recycled water used.
You can contact Eric Zesers for more information on 4044 8267 or e-mail e.zesers@cairns.qld.gov.au
Statewide Water Saving Rebate Scheme
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
01/11/2006
WATER SAVING SCHEME EXTENDED STATEWIDE
All Queenslanders will be able to take advantage of the State Government's Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme from tomorrow (November 2), Premier Peter Beattie announced today.
Since 1 July this year, the Government has offered rebates on rainwater tanks, water-efficient clothes washing machines, showerheads, dual-flush toilets, greywater devices, pool covers and rollers to residents in 22 local council areas in the State's south-east.
During the recent State election campaign the Premier committed to extending the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme statewide.
"The Government is committed to helping Queenslanders save water and save money," Mr Beattie said.
"The Government recognises the drought has impacted on large parts of the State and we also recognise that people across the State need to be encouraged to save water."
The Government has committed $20 Million over two years to the extension.
Rebates will be available on the purchase of rainwater tanks and other water-saving devices from 16 August - the date the election commitment was announced.
Residents with proof of purchase on that date or later will be eligible to apply for a rebate.
Mr Beattie said there had been a strong response from the public to the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme.
"Within the first three months, the Government received more than 32,000 applications and they continue to pour in," he said.
Residents are urged to contact the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme hotline on 1800 243 585.
Queensland State Governments Waterwise Rebate Scheme
Cairns Regional Council does not provide rebates for water saving devices or services. Council has considered providing a subsidised showerhead retrofit scheme, however we understand that rebates are offered for waterwise showerheads under the State Home WaterWise Program. Council will support the State Government Program and monitor how many Cairns residents take advantage of the scheme.
Water & Waste's Policy on rainwater tanks remains the same (click here for details)
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