How many times a day do you shower? How long do you shower for?
I live in southeast Queensland, in beautiful Brisbane. The region is famous for its balmy weather, surf beaches, theme parks (including Sea World at the Gold Coast) and general great outdoor lifestyle which often revolves around water and water sports.
Indeed, most people would consider southeast Queensland water rich.
But from the 11th April, when level 5 water restrictions are likely to be introduced, Brisbanites will be expected to comply with a raft of new water saving measures including 4 minute showers.
I don’t have a problem with short showers, but I’m concerned that the government will soon be asking me to have just one shower a day.
Is there any other part of the world where government recommends how long and how often people should shower?
It is extraordinary that the situation has deteriorated to the extent that it has in southeast Queensland.
The Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, keeps blaming the “water crisis” on climate change and the drought. But the real issue is population. Indeed the population of south east Queensland has doubled since the last dam was build in 1985. There has been a chronic under investment in water infrastructure at least in part because of environmental campaigning. Indeed the planned Wolfdene Dam was scrapped about 18 years ago because of concern over environmental impacts. Now government is trying to fast track dams, desalination and waste water recycling.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.