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 drinking purposes including irrigation of farm land, golf courses, horticulture and nurseries. Recycled water may also be suitable for some industrial applications (e.g. boiler/cooling water).
Since 1 July 2009, Southern Water has been responsible for 16 recycled water schemes. These range from simple lagoon systems servicing one customer, to the largest; the Clarence Recycled Water Scheme which has 29 customers. In total, Southern Water services 60 recycled water users.
During 2010/11 financial year Southern Water recycled in excess of 12% of treated wastewater (equating to over 3000ML). Southern Water has established an internal recycled water working group to coordinate, manage and guide future direction and strategy for recycled water in Southern Tasmania.
Recycled Water and the Environment
Use of recycled water offers a range of environmental benefits. These include:
- Reduced discharge of nutrient rich treated wastewater to waterways
- Reduced demand on less sustainable water sources for irrigation
- Beneficial recycling of nutrients in wastewater (in particular Nitrogen and Phosphorous) which reduces fertiliser demand
To implement a new recycled water scheme in Tasmania a Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan (DPEMP) is prepared to ensure that recycled water use is sustainable and will not impose negative outcomes on either the environment or public health. For a scheme to progress the DPEMP must be approved by the EPA.
Recycled water programs are typically accompanied by a range of environmental monitoring programs (documented within the DPEMP). These include monitoring of soil and groundwater to ensure that there is no negative impact of recycled water use over time. Southern Water is required to present data from these programs to the EPA annually.
Information for prospective recycled water users
Recycled water has various limitations on how and where it may be used. There are also some restrictions on land use for certain time periods after recycled water has been applied. If you are considering buying land that is connected to recycled water it is important that you contact Southern Water for information regarding the permitted use of recycled water on the property and implications in regards to land use.
If you are interested in seeking a recycled water connection, or purchasing a property with an existing connection, please contact our Recycled Water Customer Account Manager on 13 6992 or email info@southernwatertas.com.au in order to obtain further information.
Please be aware that many of our recycled water schemes are fully allocated and therefore you may not be able to be serviced.
Recycled water customers are required to enter into a formal Recycled Water Agreement with Southern Water. The Agreement details legal arrangements such as and infrastructure ownership recycled water pricing. Each recycled water property must also have a site specific Irrigation & Environmental Management Plan detailing recycled water management and use on the site.
Irrigation and Environmental Management Plans
To be supplied with recycled water, irrigators must have a property specific Irrigation and Environmental Management Plan (IEMP) approved by Southern Water. The IEMP details how recycled water will be used in a manner that is safe and sustainable.
Southern Water conducts property compliance checks to ensure recycled water is being used in a manner which is consistent with the Irrigation and Environmental Management developed for the property.
IEMPs must be completed by a suitably experience consultant with input from the user and include significant on-ground work to map, analyse and benchmark soil types, prepare cropping plans, farm water and nutrient budgets, annual monitoring requirements and occupational health and safety plans. The IEMP will be reviewed for approval by Southern Water.
Further Information