The University of Melbourne has released a review that investigates new methods of water conservation and the need to transform policies and attitudes surrounding the vital resource.

 

The paper examines three emerging methods of addressing shortages: substituting high-quality water for low-quality when appropriate, creating drinking water from wastewater and reducing leaks and the volume needed for basic services.

 

“This is the only path forward to provide water for humans as well as for ecosystems,” said lead author Stanley Grant, Professor at The University of Melbourne’s School of Engineering.

 

“We need to focus on improving the productivity and value of existing supplies, which basically means getting more out of a glass of water,” said co-author, Dr Michael Stewardson, Discipline Leader in Hydrology and Water Resources at The University of Melbourne’s Department of Infrastructure Engineering.