![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.cawater-info.net\/all_about_water\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/australian-water.jpg\" "\\"australian-water\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nWestern Australia has been experiencing drought conditions since 1970, with winter rain levels decreasing as much as 20% since that decade according to WA Today after a study on the drought was released. The reservoirs that typically provide Perth\u2019s drinking water are currently around 20% full so the government is looking into alternatives. Since a study by the University of Western Australia\u2019s Centre for Water Research predicts that supplies will run out by the 2012 summer if nothing is done, finding an alternative water supply is urgent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There is however much opposition to the plan to recycle wastewater, including from scientists in Australia and the US. Steven Oppenheimer of California State Northbridge University and Peter Collignon of Australian National University agree that recycled drinking water could be a health risk, reported The West Australian. Oppenheimer said that the plan was the equivalent of \u201cplaying Russian roulette\u201d with health, while Collignon stressed the importance of rigorous testing before implementing any recycled water into the drinking supply as he believes current tests are not sufficient. Government policymakers insist the recycling method is safe, however, and emphasise that the water is needed quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome people are nervous about recycled water being used in Western Australia. Time to get over that,\u201d said Brendon Grylls, leader of the National Party of Australia, as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald.<\/p>\n
Jorg Imberger, director of the Centre for Water Research, said recycled water is the only option for water-stressed Western Australia and must be a top priority, according to WA Today. While the current plan is to allow the treated wastewater to mix with the aquifer\u2019s natural water for 18 months, Imberger believes the process can, and should, be accelerated. \u201cMy opinion is, pull it out right away; there\u2019s no health issues,\u201d Imberger told WA Today.<\/p>\n
Australia will not be the first to turn wastewater back into drinking water. Singapore has been doing it for seven years and produces 30% of its freshwater needs through recycled grey water (branded NEWater). After the water passes through traditional water treatment plants, it is purified for drinking through a three-step process that includes micro-filtration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet treatment.<\/p>\n
Recycled water has also been used to recharge groundwater supplies in Orange County, California, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA states that recycling water provides a locally controlled water source and keeps water from being diverted from natural ecosystems.<\/p>\n