Professor John Dodson said he welcomed and supported Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Malcolm Turnbull's discussion paper Using Recycled Water for Drinking Purposes released yesterday.
"Australia's current water situation is critical and solutions are needed immediately. Recycling to drinking water is a logical option and needs to be fully discussed instead of being summarily dismissed by those who express aversion to this," said Professor Dodson.
"Recycling is not new however Australians need to be more accepting of this method as a sensible way to address this growing water shortage.
"Other major cities around the world would not survive if not for their water recycling programs, which have been going on for decades.
"Our climate is highly variable and largely desert-based; and a full re-cycling program must be considered.
"Our groundwater is being over-used to feed the demand on water particularly in areas like South Western Australia and already the ecology of these areas is under serious threat.
"I am hopeful that Mr Turnbull's discussion paper may lead to some sensible measures that will be introduced across Australia as a matter or urgency," concluded Professor Dodson.
ANSTO conducts research into understanding environmental water systems and aging ground water. It has also developed its own membrane technology water recycling system which can be installed in a house and could be developed for larger scale use.
Professor Dodson is currently Chair of the International Year of Planet Earth Climate Change focus group, which is comprised of an international team of experts. This year, 2007, is the International Year of the Planet Earth - a joint initiative by UNESCO and the International Union of Geological Sciences.