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4.2: Water Access, Use & Security - Coggle Diagram

- - - - -Install water meters to monitor and control water usage accurately
        -It helps households track their consumption
    - - -Set limits on water usage per household
        -This can involve implementing quotas or tariffs based on usage levels
    - - -Capture and treat greywater for reuse in non-potable applications like toilet flushing or outdoor irrigation
    - - -Install toilets with low-flow mechanisms to reduce water usage per flush
    - - Collect and store rainwater for tasks such as watering gardens or washing vehicles.
  - - - Use greenhouses equipped with large-scale rainwater harvesting systems to irrigate the crops grown inside
    - - -Integrated aquaponics systems combine fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation
        -These closed-loop systems recycle water between fish tanks and plant beds, reducing overall water consumption
    - - Install agricultural drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to the roots of crop plants, minimizing evaporation and surface run-off
    - - Develop and cultivate crops that are resilient to drought conditions
        These crops require less water to grow and are suited for arid regions
    - - Transition to plant-based agriculture to reduce the significant water usage associated with livestock farming
  - - - Water pricing mechanisms
        
        Tiered water pricing: Australia uses a tiered pricing structure where the cost of water increases with higher usage levels
        
        This approach incentivises households and businesses to conserve water
        
        Water trading: in regions like the Murray-Darling Basin, water trading allows users to buy and sell water allocations
        
        This market-based approach helps allocate water more efficiently, especially during drought periods
      - Desalination plants
        
        Sydney Desalination Plant: Sydney's only major source of non-rainfall dependent drinking water
        
        -This plant can supply up to 15% of Sydney's drinking water, providing a reliable water source during droughts
        -It uses reverse osmosis to remove salt and impurities from seawater, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh water
        
        Perth Desalination Plant: one of the largest desalination plants in the Southern Hemisphere
        
        -It meets about half of Perth's water needs
        -This demonstrates the effectiveness of desalination in supplementing traditional water sources
      - Water recycling programmes
        
        Purple pipe systems: in some cities, recycled water is delivered through a separate "purple pipe" system for non-potable uses
        
        -This includes irrigation, industrial processes and toilet flushing
        -This reduces the demand on potable water supplies
        
        Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme: this project in Queensland treats and purifies wastewater to a standard suitable for industrial use
        
        In times of need, it can also supplement drinking water supplies
      - Crop selection and rotation
        
        Drought-resistant crops: farmers are encouraged to grow crops like sorghum and millet
        
        -These require less water and are more resilient to dry conditions
        -Research institutions, such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), are developing new varieties of drought-tolerant crops
        
        Sustainable farming practices: using crop rotation and conservation tillage helps maintain soil moisture and reduce water usage
        
        Rotating legumes with cereals can improve soil fertility and reduce the amount of irrigation required
      - Community awareness and education
        
        Water conservation campaigns: public awareness campaigns, such as "Target 155" in Victoria, encourage residents to limit their water use to 155 litres per person per day
        
        These campaigns educate the public on water-saving techniques and the importance of water conservation
        
        School education programmes: schools incorporate water conservation into their curricula, teaching students about sustainable water use and the importance of preserving this vital resource