The State Government has already publicly committed $160 million to help fund the controversial Roxby desalination plant, matched by another $160 million from Federal Labor. There will be a lot of egos at stake if this didn't proceed.

BHP Billiton has defended its desalination choice by saying:

1) They want to own the pipeline

2) Adelaide may want to keep more recycled water for its own use in the near future

3) Desalination will also enable the supply of drinking water to Upper Spencer Gulf and Eyre Peninsula towns

Putting aside the issue of ownership, let me respond to the two remaining objections. Ignoring a world class recycling venture because of a theoretical future demand elsewhere does not make sense. The reason why this Roxby proposal is economic, is because it is a single pipe going to a single user. To retrofit a separate pipe system to enable recycled water in metropolitan Adelaide is an outrageously expensive proposition – it will not happen for a very long time, if at all.

The argument about supplying potable water to the Upper Spencer Gulf and Eyre Peninsula is a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. The vast majority of the pristine, A-grade water produced through desalination will end up being used to damp down dust and wash mineral ore and equipment at the Olympic Dam mine.

It is crazy for expensive, energy guzzling desalination to be used to make A grade water, when cheaper B grade recycled effluent will do just as good a job. In the case of the Roxby desalination plant we'll be paying (in terms of cost and energy use) for an expensive process we don't need.

Upper Spencer Gulf has been chosen as the preferred location simply because it is the shortest distance as the crow flies from Roxby Downs to the sea. We have to start getting much cleverer at matching water sources with water needs. We need to plan more wisely – use grade 'A' for water, and grade 'B' for industry. Otherwise we are literally pouring money and energy down the drain

Also, we have to stop our one-use water mentality. Before we start trying to create new water, let's think about how we can re-use what we've already got. In one of the SA Water documents, John Williams, SA Water Head of Strategic Projects, writes in support of the 'Bolivar to Billiton' option:

Good planning now will ensure that recycled water is used for appropriate use and the desal water is used later for potable use, rather than the other way round. Next article here

A good question

Mark Parnell. Greens Upper House MP.

Lights back on

The Whyalla Council has turn the Point Lowly Lighthouse light back on with a dimmer yellow light