Ozgirl;
There is no problem in using desalinated sea water.
However for Toowoomba it is a big problem. It is a long way from the sea and it is at some altitude.
Water being heavy is very very expensive to pump. So even if you can afford the pipeline and pumping stations you probably cannot afford to run the pumps.
There are lots of pipelines running around Australia, but they are gas lines and would not be anywhere near as strong as needed for water.

The suggestion of an additional set of pipes for grey water has been done in part of Sydney,
but only in a new subdivision.
It would be extrordinarly expensive to do it everywhere.
The streets would be being torn up for the next 50 years.

The main argument being given for the opposing vote is the so-called “YUK” factor.

As a NO voter, I can assure you that the major contributing factors were:

1. The lack of better management and adequate investment in water infrastructure
2. The lack of community consultation
3. A view that Council was either not capable or not willing to examine practical alternatives
4. No long-term studies on safety to health and the environment

All of which caused the community to lose faith in its Council.

At all times, we should take the position of using the best source of water possible for potable use. Our first option should be recycling sewage to free up drinking water in preference to directly replenishing supplies. Reasons for this approach include the unknown long-term outcomes from ingesting recycled wastewater and the expense involved in programs that monitor the quality of treatment to avoid the possibility of adverse effects.

The story of recycling sewage for indirect potable reuse is not finished. It is up to you whether this has a place in the future of Australia or not. Cast your vote well!

Ozgirl;
I just remembered there is a long water pipeline in Western Australia from Perth to Kalgoolie. I suspect, without really knowing, that gold mines is what made it economic.
So Toowoombans, get out your panning dishes and go prospecting.
Seriously, maybe it is not so economically impossible.
Remembering you would not need to produce 100% of your water Toowoomba could install its own desalination plant and its own pipeline and a large windfarm to drive it all.
As it would be an intermittant operation, depending on the wind it would need to be larger than otherwise.
The windfarm could be anywhere in the Eastern power grid from Queensland to Tasmania.

It would be horribly expensive, but might be cheaper than moving Toowomba.

Yes Bazz and Ozgirl – duplication of the ‘reticulation’ system is certainly not the answer. Neither is desalination, which is very energy intensive, in a time when the cost of liquid fossil fuel energy is rapidly increasing and alternative sources are nowhere near ready to replace it.

The capture of stormwater off rooves and into tanks and off roads and into small dams is part of the answer. The prevention of further increase in the number of consumers of water (limits to population growth) is part of the answer. Increased efficiency in water usage along with restrictions is part of the answer. The implementation of recycled water could be part of the answer.

And the realisation that the safe supply rate compared to demand had been grossly infringed by poor planning under previous Toowoomba City Councils, and that they should be brought to task over it, so that council accountability improves, so that nothing of the sort ever happens again….. is a part of the answer!

I wouldn't criticise the people of toowoomba for erring on the side of caution .
The first thought in my mind upon hearing the discussion about recycling sewerage water for human consumption was not that the process may not work well as i'm sure it can .
It's the danger of contamination of supply lines or the main supply resevour should something go wrong from human error or equipment failure .
To deny the possibility exists for such dangers is foolish indeed .
Let's face it a contamination event only has to happen once & it's too late . What happens then ?

Jamo has hit-the-nail-on-the-head...as I said, those who can afford bottled water will be ok...those who can't afford it will suffer the effects of any system failure. Nothing's changed. Human-error-or-system-failure-will-certainly-occur...with consequences for those unfortunate enough to fall victim.

Ludwig suggests that little dams, tanks and damning any more babies may be the answer...perhaps the residents of that Sunshine State should barricade their borders instead. After all they've plenty of water in the Far North for themselves, why should they worry about anyone south of the 'Brisbane line' - they can send all that Northern water on down in a pipe alongside the gas pipeline from PNG...

Desalination is currently used overseas, very successfully...close to the sea...not kilometres inland. Sewerage will use energy to treat and purify too, Ludwig...just as expensively.

Recycled water has a place...it is currently being used in Toowoomba to grow fresh vegetables and/or to pasture cattle...we all like to eat, how do the powers that be suggest the farmers water their crops and stock? More bureaucratic short-sightedness? Maybe they can use tap water...freed up once the sewerage is used for drinking water.

Incentives can be provided to instal rainwater tanks in almost every home...safely-and-effectively.

Incentives can be provided to instal bio-cycle systems using treated sewerage and grey water to water gardens and lawns...currently used in many outlying areas/suburbs where town services are not provided. Dual-pipe-systems could currently use this treated water to flush your toilet NOW...no digging up footpaths for 50 years, just cut and join a few fittings...

The Snowey was an impossible dream to all but the persistent ONE who refused to give up...so too is the opportunity to effectively use wasted water that pours onto the GBR for much of the year in FNQ. The GBR will thank you for a few thousand less megalitres of water stirring things up along the reef every time it rains along the coast.

Think-outside-the-square...life is more than living like corporate lackeys and only drinking and eating what comes out of a can or bottle...or take away food chain...anything with a profit margin to exploit.