Today's protest outside the company's headquarters in Melbourne is part of international events for World Water Day.

"It's not right that whilst Australians are doing their best to save and recycle water, BHP Billiton are pouring our precious water resources down the drain" said Friends of the Earth nuclear campaigner Michaela Stubbs. "It's pointless having short showers whilst BHP Billiton have the tap
running full bore 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at their Olympic Dam uranium mine."

"Olympic Dam currently consumes over thirty three million litres of Great Artesian Basin water every day and the company doesn't pay a single cent for it" said Friends of the Earth nuclear campaigner Michaela Stubbs. "This finite, precious and public resource - and the environment that depends on it - is under enormous pressure and threat."

"BHP Billiton should also be forced to pay for the water it uses. It is unacceptable that the company pays nothing for its massive water take despite its record $17 billion profit in 2006-07."

The fragile and unique Mound Springs fed by the Great Artesian Basin water are a source of life in this semi arid region but now they are drying up.

"Water used by the Olympic Dam uranium mine is destined to become nuclear waste in Australia and fuels a water wasting industry around the world" said Michaela Stubbs. "Pushing for more uranium production and increased water use is not sustainable, sensible or safe."