Recycled Water - Recycling Water For A Greener Future

Water is a precious resource, yet less than 10 per cent of the water used by urban and industrial consumers in Australia is recycled.

Melbourne Water has committed to achieving 20 per cent water recycling by 2010, and is undertaking studies and actively seeking opportunities to expand water recycling projects.

Increasing the use of recycled water helps conserve drinking water supplies, lessens the impact on the marine environment and makes use of a valuable resource.

A water recycling target
The Eastern Treatment Plant in Bangholme and the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee discharge a combined total of approximately 330,000 million litres of treated effluent each year - equivalent to 66 per cent of the city's annual fresh water consumption. Treated effluent is discharged into Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. Increasing the volume of water recycling to 20 per cent will significantly reduce the discharges to marine environments.

Appropriate uses
Recycled water can be safely used for a variety of purposes appropriate to the level of treatment it has undergone and in accordance with EPA Victoria guidelines. Melbourne Water's management systems meet EPA Victoria guidelines and seek beneficial uses of recycled water.

Recycling opportunities
Melbourne's current water supply is used for a variety of purposes that support industrial production, commerce and household needs. The average total of Melbourne's water consumption is about 500,000 million litres per year. Residential use (including gardens and toilets) accounts for 60 per cent, while commercial and industrial uses account for approximately 28 per cent. Many of these uses do not require water of drinkable quality and could make use of water recycled at a local level or provided from Melbourne's two major sewage treatment plants.

Current recycling
About 11.3 per cent of treated effluent from the Western and Eastern treatment plants is currently recycled onsite at the plants or offsite by businesses such as nurseries, market gardens, vineyards, golf courses and sports grounds.

Using recycled water to irrigate a golf course