About groundwater replenishment

Western Australia is facing the challenges of a drying climate and an increasing population which makes the demands on our water supplies greater than ever. With a changing climate, we can no longer rely on rainfall and dams as our main water sources. Groundwater, too, is declining as the lack of rain sees less water recharged to our deep aquifers.

Water Forever is the Water Corporation's 50-year plan to deliver sustainable water services to the people of Perth and surrounding areas. The emphasis is on climate independence, promoting recycling and reducing water use.

Groundwater replenishment has the potential to recycle large volumes of water, naturally. This method could help Perth become less dependent on rainfall as a source of water and more "climate resilient" by recycling water on a large scale.

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The treatment process

Before wastewater reaches the Advanced Water Recycling Plant, it has already undergone rigorous treatment at the Beenyup Wastewater Treatment Plant to remove chemicals and micro organisms such as bacteria, nutrients, detergents, oils, pesticides and heavy metals.

Treated wastewater that reaches the Advanced Water Recycling Plant undergoes further multiple treatment processes which include ultra filtration, reverse osmosis and ultra-violet disinfection. The treatment process removes chemicals and micro organisms to levels in accordance with World Health Organisation standards and Australian guidelines for drinking water.

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Water recycling around the world

Perth's Groundwater Replenishment Trial is similar to the Californian approach where treated wastewater is further treated to drinking water standards and added to groundwater for later use in drinking supplies.

This process has been operating in Orange County, California since the 1970s with no long-term health effects.

Other water recycling schemes also exist in Singapore and in Windhoek, Namibia. Singapore mixes approximately 2.5 per cent of recycled water with dam water for drinking.

  Find out more about water recycling around the world