Water recycling & alternative water sources

Page content: Introduction | Options for water recycling | Industry-specific guidance | Further information

Introduction

With increasing pressure on our water supplies as a result of recent drought conditions and population growth in our metropolitan centres, alternative water sources such as recycled water, greywater, industrial water, rainwater and stormwater are recognised as valuable resources.

Water recycling adopts the concept of using water that is 'fit for purpose', whereby the quality of water is appropriate for the intended use.

Using recycled water that is ‘fit for purpose’ means alternative sources can be safely used for purposes such as irrigation of public open space and toilet flushing. Water recycling helps us to conserve high quality drinking water for drinking and other personal uses.

Options for water recycling

Options for water recycling include the use of:

Greywater

This includes all household wastewater except toilet waste.

As greywater can contain disease-causing microorganisms and other contaminants, its use can carry health and environmental risks. Therefore care must be taken to ensure that untreated greywater is used in a safe and controlled manner, or that greywater is treated to an appropriate level before use. For more information on this, the Department has developed a guidance note describing the appropriate uses for greywater that has been treated to different degrees:

Greywater recycling: appropriate uses (60kb, pdf)

More information on the use of greywater treatment systems can be obtained from the Environment Protection Authority.

Recycled or reclaimed water

This is water that has been derived from sewerage systems or industry processes and has been treated to a standard that is appropriate for its intended use.

The Environment Protection Authority has developed the following guidance for large-scale recycled water schemes (more than 5000 litres per day):

• Guidelines for Environmental Management: Use of Reclaimed Water (EPA publication 464.2) and;
• Guidelines for Environmental Management: Dual Pipe Water Recycling Schemes - Health and Environmental Risk Management (EPA publication 1015).

Under these guidelines, the Department of Human Services works with EPA in individually assessing and endorsing schemes that involve the use of Class A recycled water. 'Class A' is the quality of recycled water required for high exposure uses including those in residential developments (e.g. 'dual pipe' systems for toilet flushing and garden use), the irrigation of public open spaces where access is unrestricted, and the irrigation of crops that are consumed raw or unprocessed.

It should be noted that the Class A water quality objectives described in EPA publication 464.2 are no longer applied in Victoria. The Department of Human Services has adopted the “fit-for-purpose” approach outlined in the Australian guidelines for water recycling document available from the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) website.

The Department of Human Services is responsible for endorsing Class A scheme proponents Recycled Water Quality Management Plans, which are required under the above EPA guidelines. The Department’s endorsement focuses on the capability of the recycled water treatment system to achieve its water quality objectives.

The Department has prepared a guidance document to help Class A recycled water scheme proponents complete their Recycled Water Quality Management Plans.

Guide for the completion of a Recycled Water Quality Management Plan (136kb, pdf)

Industrial Water

Industrial water is wastewater produced from processes at industrial or commercial premises. It includes all waterborne waste from these facilities except sewage. With appropriate management, which may include treatment, industrial water can be used for a wide range of purposes including both industrial uses (e.g. cooling, material washing, etc.) or non-industrial uses (e.g. irrigation, toilet flushing, etc).

The Environment Protection Authority regulates some uses of recycled industrial water. The EPA can provide information on these regulations. General information on the re-use of industrial water can be obtained from the Environment Protection Authority.

More information on the use of recycled water in cooling towers.

Rainwater

This is water that is captured through the use of rainwater tanks.

Stormwater

Stormwater refers to surface water runoff that originates from precipitation. Stormwater is carried away through a system of pipes that are separate from the sewerage system.

As stormwater runs over surfaces it can accumulate disease-causing microorganisms and other contaminants, and its reuse can thus carry health and environmental risks. Care must be taken to ensure that untreated stormwater is used in a safe and controlled manner, or that stormwater is treated to an appropriate level before use.

The Draft Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (Phase 2) document available from the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) website describe the appropriate uses for stormwater that has been treated to different degrees.

More information on the re-use of stormwater can also be obtained from the Environment Protection Authority.

Industry-specific guidance

Cooling towers

Many businesses with cooling towers are now considering ways to help reduce drinking water consumption, by either:

• Using alternative water supplies in cooling tower systems; or
• Recycling cooling tower bleed or waste water (also known as ‘industrial water’) for other purposes.

Further information on managing the human and environmental health risks that may be associated with these water-saving measures.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities

The Department has recently produced draft Guidelines for Water Recycling in Healthcare Facilities. These guidelines cover the regulatory framework and specific measures that should be taken to protect the health of users of recycled water in hospitals and healthcare facilities. They are underpinned by the best practice risk management framework of the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling.

The guidelines have been developed with input from many stakeholders who are currently planning or implementing water recycling projects in healthcare facilities.

We are now seeking formal feedback on the draft through a public consultation phase. The consultation period closes at 5pm on Friday 16 January 2009.

Draft Guidelines for Water Recycling in Healthcare Facilities (678kb, pdf)

Further information

Other government agencies involved in water recycling include:

• The Environment Protection Authority
  EPA Victoria is responsible for the legislative framework and guidelines for greywater and recycled or reclaimed water.

• The Department of Sustainability and Environment
  DSE is responsible for ensuring that water use in Victoria is sustainable. DSE can also be contacted for information on water conservation measures and rebates that are available for approved water conservation products.

• Your local Water Authority

top of page