I'm not sure in what way the government is discouraging the idea?

I though all new builds in Victoria either had to have a rainwater tank or a solar water heater. The Vic government also provides grants for rainwater tanks to be used for greywater systems.

You realise the California electricity problems were caused my Enron? They were manipulating the supply so they could make money on their electricity exchange.

It's worth taking a look at the documentary file "Smartest Guys in the Room".

Is that why London has a hosepipe ban and Melbourne doesn't?

I've just checked and I'm still allowed to use my hosepipe to water my veggie patch as long as it's on Wednesdays and Sundays. However I've got to use a bucket to top up the pool something for which Londoners can use a hose

I realise that, but to be honest if I was in charge and saw that we only had 39% full dams I would be a bit more strict with what stage we are at.

To be honest, I would rather have to take my car to a car wash and have brown grass to save some water, rather than being told I cant wash everyday!!

I agree with you, but they have to set the level at something which the public can stomach. Until Australians experience the shortage of water experienced in the UK 30 years ago I don't think much will change. It came as a surprise to me when I arrived, that level 2 water restrictions here is fairly much the same as UK business as usual.

Sorry, I was referring to WA governments. There is (or was, maybe I'm out of touch here) a ban on rainwater tanks being installed in the metro area.

Fair enough. Melbourne used to have something similar. It was originally instigated in the 1800s to avoid lowering the tone of the neighbourhood.

Where we are tank ownership is almost obligatory in order to establish any sort of credibility and is worn as a badge of pride - regardless of water restrictions. Not having a tank would mean you're too thick to install one lol.

I remember the year your talking about, 1977, I was In Milton Keynes, which was basically just a huge development. There were fires along verges etc everyday. The UK also experienced the one and only bush fire that I can ever recall when the New Forest had a Major blaze.

What I dont remember is Water restrictions though ? Certainly no impact from them.

We have friends who live very close to CAT and they described it as a "Hippy run Chicken Farm". ...and when I went that was exactly what it looked like.

Sounds exactly like Ceres here in Melbourne, one thing I was going to add before but will now, its worth a visit as it has something for everyone.

Including multitudes of Braless dread locked semi attractive women.....

With hairy armpits

Wow...39% full!!! You're bleeding well spoilt down your way then....

We've got 23.74% as of a few moments ago....

Bathing in Hahn's is going to be fun though.....

Not being pedantic but I think the really hot summer was 76, however my memory may be slipping. During that time a few places had their water cut off and people had to get their water from stand pipes in the street. I think it was about this time that people (in those areas) started to accept recycled water.

Note that even today in places like Pembrokeshire, people are not keen on the thought of drinking recycled water.

Being a New Town, Milton Keynes probably didn't have a supply problem as its population at that time would have been small in comparison to what its infrastructure could support.

Yes it was 1976.

For the record, here in the UK I currently catch, store and recycle 600 litres of water. I don't have the space to store any more.

In Australia I intend to catch, store and recycle 5000 - 10000 litres.



Buzzy

Agree it was 76.

I remember standpipes in Walthamstow!

Also, we too used to collect our rainwater and recycle water in the UK and we did it in Aus in NSW in 2000 - 2003. Now, here in NZ they look at us like we're mad if we suggest it and 'why the heck would we want to water the garden from our washing machine water?'. Theyjust dont' get it. It's just habit with us. It's unlikely i nthis part of the world we're ever gonna run out of water but that doens't mean you just go bonkers and use it, use it, use it does it?