Greens push plan to slash fresh-water use

THE Greens are proposing water standards for new homes and commercial buildings, including compulsory rain tanks, efficient showerheads and a second pipeline to supply storm and recycled water.

Victorian Greens Senate candidate Richard Di Natale said use of a second pipe network could cut fresh-water use by 65 per cent, citing the results of a Gold Coast development. It would increase development costs by 5 or 6 per cent.

Dr Di Natale said the average Australian used 100,000 litres of fresh water a year, the world's highest per capita rate.

'In a country as dry as Australia, we shouldn't be using fresh water to flush our toilets and do our washing,' he said.
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