10 August 2007
Australia’s biggest research and technology precinct is set to save millions of litres of drinking water when it turns the taps on a new recycled water supply today.
University campuses, a secondary school and a golf driving range are set to benefit when Member for Tarneit, Tim Pallas, officially launches the $3.4 million Werribee Technology Precinct recycled water project.
The project will supply up to 400 million litres of Class A recycled water each year via a new 8.7 kilometre pipeline, sourced from Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant. The original pipeline was constructed in January 2005 to provide recycled water to local vegetable growers.
The extension will provide water to wash down animal enclosures, flush toilets, and irrigate gardens and sports fields at the Werribee Technology Precinct, Heathdale Christian College and Wyndham City Council recreational reserves.
The 900 hectare site is home to high profile research institutions including CSIRO Animal Health, the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, Victoria University and Prince Henry’s Medical Research Centre, as well as Hoppers Crossing Pumping Station and SISTEMS Golf Park.
The project has been funded by the Victorian Government (through the Victorian Water Trust), City West Water and Wyndham Council.
"This infrastructure is a great investment to help secure the future of our water supplies,” Member for Tarneit, Tim Pallas said.
"Millions of litres of water will be saved as a result of this innovative project while providing high quality recycled water to the Werribee Technology Precinct and local community facilities."
City West Water’s Managing Director, Anne Barker said the water authority was working on a number of recycled water projects in Melbourne’s CBD and inner and western suburbs.
“This scheme will save about the same amount of drinking water used by 2,000 average households,” Ms Barker said.
“It follows our first Class A recycled water scheme which has kept sports fields at MacKillop College green since January and will save 20 million litres of drinking water every year.”
“These projects promote the uses and the important role of recycled water in the future of Melbourne’s water supplies,” Ms Barker said.
“They also reduce the use of precious drinking water and will help us meet the Victorian Government’s target of recycling 20 percent of Melbourne’s waste water by 2010.
“Class A recycled water is treated to the highest standards and has been used as a safe alternative to drinking water in the agricultural industry and to irrigate public spaces in Victoria for more than 30 years.”
City West Water is also working to provide Class A recycled water to three new housing estates in west Werribee in late 2009. The water will be used to water gardens, wash cars and flush toilets and will be supplied to homes through a separate pipe.
Professor Kenneth Hinchcliff, the new Dean at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Veterinary Science said society was only just beginning to understand the world's water challenges.
“No single company or institution has all of the answers but we all share responsibility for the prudent use of water, and can do our bit to conserve and protect water resources.
“The Faculty is making a difference through a number of projects including the successful collaboration with City West Water. Over half the water used at the Veterinary Clinical Centre will be Class A recycled water, which will be used to water paddocks and wash down animal enclosures.“
For more information on City West Water recycled water projects, visit our recycled water section.
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