Sydney: Dry, Dry and Drier

If Sydney’s residents do not cut water consumption by more than 50 percent over the next 20 years, the city will become unsustainable says a report from Australian Government Scientists at CSIRO.

Temperatures could rise 5 degrees C above the predicted global average leaving Sydneysiders facing an almost permanent drought.

By 2070 rainfall will fall by 40 percent, creating a water crisis and producing double the number of bush fires.

Sydney is currently suffering lower than average rainfall and the dams that supply the city with fresh water have dropped to just 38 percent full.

Request for tender documents have been issued for the construction of a 125 megalitre per day desalination plant to serve Sydney. This step will ensure construction can commence when dam levels reach 30 per cent. The plant’s output could be increased quickly to 500 millions litres a day if necessary.

The desalination plant is to be 100 per cent powered by green energy, which means it will have no net greenhouse impact.

Perth recently turned on its desalination plant and one is being built in the Gold Coast. Adelaide and Melbourne are also considering building desalination plants.