Answers to Questions

WATER SUPPLY

In reply to the Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (14 November 2006).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health): The Minister for Water Security has provided the following information:

About 65 per cent of water supplied by SA Water is for residential use with industry only accounting for approximately 9 per cent, therefore the key immediate focus is on households. However, SA Water is currently working with industry, conducting water audits on industrial sites and developing specific processes to ensure the sustainable management of their water.

Since 1 July 2007, the South Australian government requires industry to undertake water efficiency plans to implement water savings. Businesses are required to prepare a plan that identifies where they can make water savings in any area of their operations where water is used.

We are working on a 1 to 1 basis with the top 53 industry users to achieve significant savings through the implementation of these plans. These top users represent 58.7 per cent of total commercial and industrial water use.