Federal Labor has unveiled its National Water Security Plan for Towns and Cities, which will focus on repairing water pipes and reducing leaks, wastage and evaporation.

Under the plan, a Federal Labor Government will invest $A250 million to:

* Work in partnership with government and local water authorities to minimise water loss; * Invest in modern, more efficient water infrastructure and refurbish older pipes and water systems; and, * Provide funding for practical projects to save water.

The plan is described as “a practical and commonsense response to the impact of drought and climate change on Australia’s towns and cities”.

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It targets domestic and industrial water use in urban areas and is focused on stopping the wastage of water as it makes its way to the tap.

The National Water Security Plan for Towns and Cities follows a number of Federal Labor initiatives to secure Australia’s urban water supply including support for projects such as southeast Queensland’s Western Corridor Water Recycling Scheme, Western Australia’s Harvey Water Piping Project and Victoria’s Goldfields Superpipe.

The ALP has also set a national target of recycling 30 per cent of wastewater by 2015, and if elected will offer loans through the Solar, Green Energy and Water Renovations Plan for Households to help homes become more energy and water efficient.

The current Federal Government also places a high priority on managing water resources in Australia.

The National Water Initiative (NWI) is the national blueprint for water reform. Its implementation is being assisted by the $A2 billion Federal Government Water Fund and progress is being monitored by the National Water Commission.

Under the NWI state and territory governments agreed to prioritise and implement management responses to water supply and discharge losses including leakage, excess pressure, overflows and other maintenance needs.

A number of projects have been established under the NWI to help improve water-use efficiency and encourage innovation in supply and management.

These include a $A9.45 million Gold Coast project to reduce water leakage and stress on current water supplies; the interconnection of the Hunter Valley and Gosford-Wyong water systems; the extension an existing recycling system in Albury; and a project to reduce water leakage in Council-owned town water systems across regional NSW.