.
It is estimated that only 0.6 per cent of the Earth's water is readily available as a source of water supply to its six billion people and the urban communities they form. Water is a precious resource and, for many.
communities, a scarce one.
Water is essential for all living things. Plants and animals are made up of between 50 per cent and 90 per cent water.
Our homes are dependant on water, wether it be washing our cars, garden sprinklers, showers, baths, running taps, kitchen sinks, or flushing the toilet.
In its purest state, water is colourless, odourless and tasteless. However, water collected from the environment naturally contains trace quantities of dissolved and suspended materials of mineral, plant and even animal origin, which may create colour, odour and taste.
Water collected from the environment is also likely to contain a diverse population of microorganisms. These may or may not be a risk to human health.
Water Usage Problems:.
Australia's rainfall is the lowest of the continents (excluding Antarctica). This low rainfall combined with very high evaporation leads to low river flows. Despite this, Australia has one of the highest per capita consumption rates in the world.
Since 1939 restrictions have been applied in metropolitan Sydney on 15 separate occasions for a total of 70 months to conserve water during drought. Drought is a natural event that we must plan for and respect - we need to manage our water resources with complete care. Therefore, when it comes to resource planning, we need to increasingly look for innovative ways of doing more with less.
Australians are urged to follow voluntary water restrictions by:.
Only using sprinkler systems on alternative days (based on 'odds' and 'evens' Street numbers) and not between 7am and 7pm .
Refraining wherever possible from using water to clean paved areas and to clean windows .
Refraining from emptying and refilling swimming pools, and only topping them up with a handheld hose .