Should Australia use desalination as a means of addressing water shortage problems?

Question

i have to write an essay oral and im not sure how to start any helpers??

Answer 1

i dont know if its the right way. I live in cronulla quite close to where they are building the desal plant in kurnell. the ads on tv state that it will provide up to 17% of sydneys water, but will require a WHOLE lot of power to make it work. Personally i think there has to be other ways. They could improve the water grid itself alot of the pipes etc have not been replaced for decades.

Something definitely needs to be done about our water issues but i dont think Desalination will be the thing to do it

Answer 2

You should do a search for desalinization and one for Australia water shortage.  You should be able to find enough information for your essay.  If Australia has no aquifer or source of fresh water, then desalinization of sea water may be their only option.

Answer 3

Consider the alternatives.  Where there are large populations, there are water resources; but very controversial means of getting them (ie, by building more dams in wilderness areas).

But are there also environmental costs associated with desalination?  What about the enegry required to run the plant (strange that they have to be situated right next to an oil refinery, isn't it?)

Which is worse; utilising resources in wilderness, or contributing to the greenhouse effect?

Should desalination even be considered, if there are viable alternatives?

Which will cost more?  Building a dam and associated pipelines is very expensive, but a one off cost.  Building a desalination plant is less expensive; but there are ongoing costs.

Look at the differences between social issues, technological issues, environmental issues and political issues.  

Just raising the issues would constitute an essay in itself.

Do not take a particular point of view, but consider the issues.

- Just a few suggestions

Answer 4

Personally, I believe that we should definitely not use them.  We need to look long term rather than short term - especially when you see the amount of energy those things chew up (interesting stuff, check it out).