Water Recycling
Water is considered recycled when wastewater or drainage water (stormwater) is appropriately treated and supplied to suitable end uses such as:
- industrial use;
- groundwater replenishment for drinking;
- watering of public open space such as parks and golf courses; and
- agriculture.
In April 2007, the Premier announced that a State Water Recycling Strategy would be developed to improve water use efficiency and water recycling in Western Australia. This strategy supports the State Water Plan 2007 water policy framework to ‘use and recycle water wisely’.
The Water Corporation participated in the development of the strategy and is considering ways to use recycled water. Some of these options can be used to meet projected demand in water use.
There is significant potential to recycle water for industrial use. For example, the existing Kwinana Water Recycling Plant was designed to accommodate a 60% increase of current capacity to 10 gigalitres a year. The Water Corporation has planning in place to develop this additional source, subject to finalising funding arrangements.
There are also opportunities to provide recycled water to other industrial locations. We support the provision of a third pipe in new industrial areas to facilitate more water recycling.
The Water Corporation is undertaking a trial at the Beenyup Wastewater Treatment Plant in Craigie to test the feasibility of replenishing groundwater with highly treated wastewater. Subject to the outcomes of the technical feasibility of the trial and community acceptance, a 25 gigalitre a year source could be developed for public drinking water supply.
Other uses, such as recycled water for agriculture and public open space, generally do not relieve demand from the IWSS water grid, because we do not currently provide water for these purposes. Recycled water however, may provide the right alternative for these applications particularly where groundwater is scarce.