Our supply of recycled water hits a new high
The recycled water is delivered via two standpipes we manage, which are located at Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant in Werribee. The standpipes have the capacity to supply a total of 30 million litres of Class A recycled water per month. In their first year of operation, they supplied 88 million litres to permitted customers. We estimated that supply would increase to 150 million litres during the 2007-08 financial year – this was exceeded with a final delivery of 161.7 million litres by year’s end.
What is Class A recycled water?
Class A recycled water is high quality water recovered from wastewater and treated to strict quality standards. The water quality meets the requirements of the Environment Protection Authority and Department of Human Services and is continuously monitored to ensure it is safe to use.
Class A recycled water has many uses
Recycled water can be used safely for a variety of purposes, including: irrigation of gardens, parks, sporting fields and other public open spaces, ornamental ponds and water features, car washing, toilet flushing, filling clothes washing machines, fire fighting, construction and agricultural irrigation (including use on vegetable crops). Class A recycled water is not suitable for drinking, cooking or other kitchen purposes, bathing and showering, filling swimming pools and spas, and children’s water toys.
What is a standpipe?
A standpipe is a freestanding pipe that provides, in this case, Class A recycled water to registered water carters. The two pipes at the Western Treatment Plant stand 4.1m high.
Who can collect water from the standpipes?
There are around 60 water carters who currently have our approval to access recycled water from the standpipes. Only those who have a permit from us to access recycled water from the standpipes may do so.
Who uses water collected from the standpipes?
There are almost 150 customers who use Class A recycled water. These customers include sporting clubs, councils, construction companies, landscape gardeners, amongst others. All customers who would like to use recycled water must gain approval to use recycled water on their site for approved purposes. Only registered recycled water carters can deliver Class A recycled water to approved customers.