What is recycled water?
Recycled water is wastewater that has been treated to remove solids and pathogens. Depending upon the level of treatment, recycled water can be safely used for a variety of non-domestic purposes including irrigation of farm land, golf courses, vineyards, horticulture and nurseries. Recycled water may also be suitable for some industrial applications (e.g. boiler/cooling water) however TasWater has no such customers.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) requires, as a mandatory component of all sewage treatment plant improvement plans, an assessment of opportunities to divert treated effluent for beneficial purposes including options for the irrigation of agricultural, forestry or public land. The EPA position is consistent with the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2009 hierarchy.
The EPA will only approve an alternative process with a discharge to an inland waterway or the marine environment (disposal) when all reasonable reuse options have been ruled out for practical, economic or environmental reasons.
TasWater is responsible for 19 recycled water schemes in the north and 14 in the south. They range from simple lagoon systems to the largest; the Clarence Recycled Water Scheme.
What are the environmental benefits of recycled water?
Use of recycled water offers a range of environmental benefits. These include:
- reduced discharge of nutrient rich treated wastewater to water ways
- reduced demand on less sustainable water sources for irrigation
- beneficial recycling of nutrients in wastewater (in particular Nitrogen and Phosphorous) which reduces fertiliser demand.
Interested in a recycled water connection?
If you are interested in seeking a recycled water connection, or purchasing property with an existing connection, please contact TasWater on 13 6992 or email [email protected] in order to obtain further information. Please note that many of our recycled water schemes are fully allocated and you may not be able to receive a service.
Recycled water customers are required to enter into a formal Recycled Water Supply Contract with TasWater. The Contract details legal arrangements such as infrastructure ownership and recycled water pricing. Each recycled water property must also have a site specific Irrigation and Environmental Management Plan detailing recycled water management, how the recycled water will be used in a manner that is safe and sustainable. TasWater conducts regular property reviews to ensure this is happening. Please call TasWater if you would like more information about the Irrigation and Environmental Management Plans.