Water Recycling
| More information | |
|---|---|
 | More Frequently Asked Questions |
| | How we will achieve our recycling targets - Water Forever 50 year plan |
| | Wastewater treatment - the step before recycling |
| | Recycling for industry - Kwinana Water Recycling Plant |
| | Recycling for irrigation - McGillivray Oval |
| | Groundwater replenishment - trial under way 2010-2012 |
What is recycled water?
Recycled water is water which has been collected from wastewater, stormwater or greywater and is then cleaned up to a standard appropriate for its intended use, including:
- to water ovals, gardens and golf courses;
- to flush toilets and wash clothes;
- in industrial processes;
- to grow crops; and
- to recharge groundwater from which drinking water is drawn.
Why recycle water?
Water is used by industry and householders for many different purposes requiring different qualities of water. For example, some industrial processes require water that is better than drinking water, whereas water used on parks and ovals does not need to be as good as drinking water. Recycled water can be produced to meet these needs and in so doing may reduce the use of drinking water.
Water recycling is an essential component of managing our water resources efficiently and making the most of a resource that is often wasted. While water recycling has been undertaken in regional areas of Western Australia for many years, currently, only 6% of treated wastewater is recycled in the metropolitan area.
To address this situation, the Water Corporation has set a target of reusing 30% of our treated wastewater produced in the metropolitan area by 2030 and 60% by 2060. This will require collaboration between the Water Corporation, State and local governments, business and industry.
Generally, Western Australians are accepting of water recycling. Research shows 90 per cent of Perth residents support recycling treated wastewater for recreational areas, industrial or agricultural use. However it’s an issue which often raises questions about how water recycling works, the health and environmental implications and benefits for our community.
How we are recycling water
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There are currently 60 water recycling schemes across the state. In these schemes, recycled water is used on ovals, golf courses, parks, gardens and race courses.
Examples include McGillivray Oval in Floreat, parks and the trotting track in Northam, Broome Golf Course and Oval, Busselton Golf Course, Derby wetlands, Kellerberrin Oval, Wickham parks and gardens, and Wyalkatchem Bowls Club.
Recycled water is also being used:
- on some Water Corporation sites;
- by industry in Kwinana;
- in Pinjarra for dust control;
- to water ovals, golf courses and public parks in Perth, Broome, Kalgoorlie, Margaret River and other regional areas around the State;
- to irrigate tree plantations in Albany, Donnybrook, Dunsborough, Manjimup, Margaret River, Kemerton and Walpole; and
- to irrigate food crops such as Omrah Vineyard in Mount Barker.
How can we recycle more?
Major advances in water recycling can be made through large-scale recycling schemes such as:
- groundwater replenishment, where high quality recycled water is stored in groundwater for use in drinking water supplies;
- recycling to industry; and
- providing recycled water to irrigate public parks, gardens and for horticulture.
Recycling water at a household level still has a role to play, although the water savings made through individual recycling systems are relatively small. Water recycling at household and community levels is supported where risks to human or environmental health are carefully managed in accordance with national guidelines and local regulation.
We will also to continue to work towards improving recycling at our sites, including reducing potable water use to less than 10% of all in-plant water use and investing in co-generation to harvest more energy from our wastewater treatment plants.