Post by tommygun on Aug 1, 2006 9:55:06 GMT -5
Threat of sex-change caused by sewage water 
PEOPLE should not be forced to risk "feminisation" by drinking recycled sewage, says Queensland Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg.
Outlining the case against treated effluent being added to southeast Queensland's water supply, Mr Springborg said he was concerned that hormones left in the water could cause "changes to the basic metabolism of species".
"There are unanswered questions about it," Mr Springborg said. "This is particularly with female hormones, both artificial and also natural ... Research into hormones and the effect that is having on the feminisation of fish and other animals that actually drink water - and also potentially humans - it is a highly emotion-charged debate.
"In a place like Queensland, we have a whole lot of options, including dams, rainwater tanks, recycled water for industrial purposes, desalination.
"You don't have to drink recycled sewage."
After Toowoomba residents used a weekend referendum to vote against using recycled water to solve the city's water crisis, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie ordered that a referendum be held across the state's southeast when council elections are held in 2008.
But Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said yesterday the Government already planned to build a pipeline capable of delivering recycled sewage to the region's main water supply, the Wivenhoe Dam, from 2008.
Mr Newman said a short feeder pipeline would connect the pipeline to Wivenhoe Dam and, with change in weather patterns expected, the Government would end up pumping recycled sewage into the dam.
He said the promised referendum was a "sham" to deflect a public backlash over the sensitive recycled water issue until after the state election.
"The Premier needs to be upfront with the people and if he does that, we will support him," Mr Newman said. "If he wants a referendum, he should have it now. We're not prepared to cop him getting it off the agenda for another 20 months."
Mr Springborg wants heavy industry, including the Government's power corporations, to take recycled sewage instead of tapping into Wivenhoe Dam, and believes the Government should accelerate its pipeline plans.
Mr Beattie demanded yesterday that Mr Newman connect three of Brisbane's major industrial water users - Incitec takes more than 6.5million litres a day, the Caltex refinery 5.2million litres a day, and Brisbane airport 4.2million litres a day - directly to its nearby sewage treatment plants.
Mr Beattie is expected to meet Toowoomba Mayor Di Thorley today to discuss the city's critical water shortages. Ms Thorley, who had foreshadowed rate rises of $1000 a year if recycled water were not accepted, last night said the only other options available were "unsustainable, uneconomical or with bad environmental outcomes".
Australian
PEOPLE should not be forced to risk "feminisation" by drinking recycled sewage, says Queensland Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg.
Outlining the case against treated effluent being added to southeast Queensland's water supply, Mr Springborg said he was concerned that hormones left in the water could cause "changes to the basic metabolism of species".
"There are unanswered questions about it," Mr Springborg said. "This is particularly with female hormones, both artificial and also natural ... Research into hormones and the effect that is having on the feminisation of fish and other animals that actually drink water - and also potentially humans - it is a highly emotion-charged debate.
"In a place like Queensland, we have a whole lot of options, including dams, rainwater tanks, recycled water for industrial purposes, desalination.
"You don't have to drink recycled sewage."
After Toowoomba residents used a weekend referendum to vote against using recycled water to solve the city's water crisis, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie ordered that a referendum be held across the state's southeast when council elections are held in 2008.
But Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said yesterday the Government already planned to build a pipeline capable of delivering recycled sewage to the region's main water supply, the Wivenhoe Dam, from 2008.
Mr Newman said a short feeder pipeline would connect the pipeline to Wivenhoe Dam and, with change in weather patterns expected, the Government would end up pumping recycled sewage into the dam.
He said the promised referendum was a "sham" to deflect a public backlash over the sensitive recycled water issue until after the state election.
"The Premier needs to be upfront with the people and if he does that, we will support him," Mr Newman said. "If he wants a referendum, he should have it now. We're not prepared to cop him getting it off the agenda for another 20 months."
Mr Springborg wants heavy industry, including the Government's power corporations, to take recycled sewage instead of tapping into Wivenhoe Dam, and believes the Government should accelerate its pipeline plans.
Mr Beattie demanded yesterday that Mr Newman connect three of Brisbane's major industrial water users - Incitec takes more than 6.5million litres a day, the Caltex refinery 5.2million litres a day, and Brisbane airport 4.2million litres a day - directly to its nearby sewage treatment plants.
Mr Beattie is expected to meet Toowoomba Mayor Di Thorley today to discuss the city's critical water shortages. Ms Thorley, who had foreshadowed rate rises of $1000 a year if recycled water were not accepted, last night said the only other options available were "unsustainable, uneconomical or with bad environmental outcomes".
Australian
