What is recycled water?
Recycled water is wastewater that’s treated to a safe standard so it can be re-used for other purposes.
Our recycled water program has benefits including:
- Protecting natural water sources from overuse.
- Providing a valuable water supply alternative for non-drinking uses.
- Reducing the amount of groundwater needed for irrigation.
- Reducing the amount of treated wastewater discharged to waterways.
- Helping reduce the use of fertilisers due to the nutrients in the recycled water.
We recycle around 15 to 20 per cent of all the sewage we treat each year across our region. Our region’s reliable rainfall and access to groundwater means there are limited markets for the recycled water.
Where is it used?
Most recycled water is irrigated on farms near 12 of our inland sewage treatment plants. We also have agreements with several farmers to supply recycled water for agricultural irrigation.
Across our region, recycled water is used on several golf courses, sporting ovals and racecourses.
The Mortlake Power Station uses recycled water to cool turbines over summer. This eases the demand on other local water resources.
Specialist management and regular monitoring are needed when using recycled water for irrigation. This ensures its safe and sustainable use, meeting Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) requirements.
What about the ocean outfall sewage treatment plants?
Wastewater produced at our ocean outfall sewage treatment plants in Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland has a high salt content. It’s discharged to the ocean under EPA licensing requirements.
Expensive and energy-intensive treatment would be required to make this water suitable for any industrial, agricultural or recreational uses. However, we’re investigating options at Warrnambool and we hope this might identify new opportunities for our other ocean outfall plants.
