Australia's bushfire disaster: Water may be affected for 30 years

Melbourne Water managing director Robert Skinner predicts the massive bushfire in Victoria may cut Melbourne's drinking water supply by 30 per cent for 30 years.

He said that regrowth takes a huge amount of water. Moreover, the longer-term issues of recuperating mountain ash trees, which reduces run-off of ash into reservoirs may also lead to problems.

Affected reservoirs will be contaminated for at least three months, taking away 24 per cent of Melbourne's drinking water, which may ultimately lead to deterioration of water quality.

Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
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