The system developed by Mornington based Backwash Recyclers Australia allows water consumed when back-washing a pool to be stored and made available for re-use, not just pumped down the drain.

 

Despite a direct request from Mr Morris the State Government has refused to extend “Water Smart Gardens and Homes” rebate to tanks connected to systems like the one developed by BRA, with the Minister claiming that only “….approximately seven per cent of Victorian households have swimming pools, reflecting a small segment of the population”.

 

Approximately 1200 litres of water is lost every time a private swimming pool is back-washed, a chore that must be done at least monthly during the swimming season, and less frequently during the cooler months.

 

The Government clearly does not understand that while a relatively small proportion of homes have pools the potential water savings for all Victorians are substantial.

 

Victoria has at least 100,000 swimming pools and a modest take-up rate of 10% would mean a saving of over 100 million litres a year for the State. Despite recent rains our water storages remain dangerously low.