Urban potable reuse: contrasting perspectives of water industry professionals and elected politicians in Sydney, Australia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Through interviews of 20 sitting politicians and water practitioners in New South Wales, Australia, this article explores the underlying perceptions of the viability of potable water reuse for Sydney in decision-making practices to explore how politics and water management expertise can come into conflict. In particular, politicians’ stances on the issue of water reuse are affected by the wider politicized but unrelated issue of climate change. Three key themes emerged as barriers to the implementation of water reuse schemes: existing water governance arrangements, limited community support and the perceived lack of a water crisis.