When the Dutch and Canadians find a way to send their overabundance of fresh water to those that need it, I'll concider it, but this is just another distracting and irritating guilt tripping social instrument that evades aiding those in genuine need.

Once again the rich world wastes will the rest is left to flounder - there are enough resources to go aroud but the greedy few - have grabbed the lot

Excellent discussion on availability of clean water....suggest more follow up.....like weekly! James Warren Toronto

Yours is the programme (also when it was Research File) I try hardest to catch, not always successfully ! The notion of a 'water footprint' is long overdue, especially in our part of Africa. I myself don't have running water, and rely wholly on collected rainwater, except for drinking water which I get from a neighbour's borehole, luckily not subject (yet) to pollution. So I know exactly how much I use for every purpose, and can say definitively that - in terms of direct usage at least - I use more on washing clothes than for anything else. I try to wear my clothes for a week, but all the same I use a good 200 litres a week on washing them. Necessary to rethink clothes, perhaps ? In South Africa's huge building programmes, there is usually no sign of gutters and tanks for the collection of rainwater, and it always shocks me. There is also much disapproval in the press of 'bucket toilets', so it also shocks me to realize that everyone is expecting to have flush toilets, and that the press is pushing them that way. What is most shocking of all, however, was merely mentioned in a somewhat throwaway remark made by that Water Footprint man. He said something along the lines that change could only come if everyone consumed less, but that this would cause economic problems. Indeed. Why is it that economic recovery from this 'world recession' can only happen if consumption increases ? Nobody seems to be asking what this will do to the planet, and if there is any alternative way for economies to recover. How can the current way of ordering economies possibly be sustainable ? Importantly, why does nobody seem to be discussing it ? Yours, Peta A. Jones, MSc, PhD

Hi, I was driving home yesterday afternoon I think I caught the end of Earthbeat? They were talking about saving water around the home, flushing loos etc. I have made a CD, Bindi -eye Bop for children and adults that incorporates songs on the environment. One of the songs has proved to be very popular and has been recorded by others, "Drip Drop" The CD is into it's second run and following a suggestion from friends I am in the process of getting it produced as part of a booklet with words and pictures for a third pressing. I have sent the CD to the ABC so it should be in their library but I can send you a copy is you would like to listen to it yourself and use it on your program as I thin k it would be very appropriate. My web site margaretbradford.com will tell you more about myself. Regards, Margaret Ps. My 3yr old grandson calls me "green nanna" of his own volition through listening to my songs

Hello below you will find the graph of Melbourne's water supply, comparing the current situation with less than 30% remaining to the fill and consumption profile from 2006. Last month we lost useful capacity when bushfires damaged our catchments. If we were to have the same rain fall as 2006 then we would be out of water in 12 months. Melbourne is a city of 4 million and due to the absence of any real planing there is no significant alternatives that could fill the gap in the next 12 months. The story of a modern first world city running dry would make a strong story an d it broadcast would help to get recycling on the table. I hope that this is of interest. Thank you Andrew Lamb

Great concept - I'd never heard of this before