Sustainability Report 2006/07

Recycled water

Ensure stringent regulatory obligations are met
Develop alternative water resources, including recycled water, that meet our customers’ current and future needs
Develop and implement effective capital investment and operations programs

In partnership with the metropolitan retail water businesses, we recycled 23.2% of the total amount of recycled water in metropolitan Melbourne, exceeding the Government’s target of 20% by 2010
Began using recycled water to lubricate pumps and cool motors at Hoppers Crossing pumping station. This initiative will save 100 million litres of drinking water a year
Established a new permanent standpipe facility for City West Water customers at the Western Treatment Plant
Obtained third party certification of our recycled water quality management system at the Western Treatment Plant.

Algal blooms in the Western Treatment Plant lagoons resulted in several days of interrupted recycled water supply
We were unable to identify a commercially viable way of reducing salinity in recycled water.

Managing demand for recycled water as sewage inflows to treatment plants decrease, demand for alternative water sources increase, and traditional water sources such as river water and groundwater become limited as a result of drought
Meeting customer demand especially during peak summer periods while ensuring quality and reliability of recycled water
Building on the success at Hoppers Crossing pumping station, continuing to substitute drinking water with recycled water and other alternative sources in Melbourne Water operations
Improving the prevention and management of algal blooms in the Western Treatment Plant lagoons, and reducing the impact of algal blooms on the reliability of recycled water from the plant
Reducing salt levels in sewage entering the Western Treatment Plant and recycled water supplied from the plant, especially given a lower dilution of salt due to reduced inflows.