29 October 2009
Construction has started on a $46 million recycled water project which will provide high quality recycled water to industry, championship golf courses and public parks in Melbourne’s west.
Water Minister Tim Holding said the Altona Recycled Water Project would use around 2.5 billion litres of Class A recycled water each year, easing pressure on drinking water supplies.
“The Brumby Labor Government and water authorities are undertaking record investment in water infrastructure to ensure communities have enough water as we face ongoing drought and climate change,” Mr Holding said.
“Melbourne already uses almost three times more recycled water than any other major Australian city and this project will help further reduce our reliance on drinking water supplies.
“We can save billions of litres of drinking water each year by substituting treated wastewater for a range of industrial, commercial and business applications.”
City West Water’s existing treatment plant in Altona will undergo an upgrade including the installation of reverse osmosis technology to cle
an up the wastewater from the plant. Recycled water will then be piped to nearby businesses, sporting clubs and councils.
The project will also significantly reduce the amount of wastewater discharged from the Altona Treatment Plant into Port Phillip Bay.
Mr Holding said recycled water from the project would be used for a range of purposes including:
• Plastics manufacturer Qenos will use around 2 billion litres each year in its boilers and cooling towers;
• Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club will use around 577 million litres to irrigate the golf course;
• Kooringal Golf Club will use around 289 million litres to irrigate the golf course; and
• Hobsons Bay City Council will use 5 million litres of recycled water to irrigate Altona Green Park and 6 million litres for HD Graham Reserve. Water will also be used for urban streetscape watering and dust suppression.
“As well as saving billions of litres of precious drinking water each year, the new plant will provide an alternative source of water allowing sporting fields to be watered outside the current water restrictions,” Mr Holding said.
The Brumby Labor Government has contributed $5 million towards the project.
City West Water Managing Director Anne Barker said the project would begin supplying recycled water to customers by the end of 2010.