Using Recycled Water in Melbourne's West
Summary
- Since 2005 the Western Treatment Plant has been able to supply Class A quality recycled water.
- The Werribee Tourist Precinct was the first offsite recycled water customer in Melbourne's west.
- Werribee Open Range Zoo, Parks Victoria and the Werribee Irrigation District all use recycled water from the Western Treatment Plant as a secure water supply.
Photo courtesy of MacKillop College
A water recycling disinfection plant was built at the Western Treatment Plant in 2004. It can treat around 82 million litres a day of Class C recycled water to Class A standard.
In 2009/10 the Western Treatment Plant supplied 37,122 million litres of recycled water to customers. This comprised 24,337 million litres of recycled water used onsite, mostly Class C water used for pasture irrigation and land and salinity management. Some 12,785 million litres of Class A recycled water was supplied to Southern Rural Water and City West Water for offsite customers.
In addition, 17,199 million litres was provided for conservation purposes in the Ramsar-listed wetlands.
Werribee Tourist Precinct
The Werribee Tourist Precinct includes five major tourist and sporting complexes that attract numerous visitors to the Werribee region.
A six-kilometre pipeline from the Western Treatment Plant to the Werribee Tourist Precinct was finished in 2003. The pipeline initially supplied Class C recycled water to the Werribee Park Golf Club and the National Equestrian Centre. They were the first recycled water customers in Melbourne’s west.
In January 2005, the water quality was upgraded to Class A quality and new users such as the Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee Park and Mansion and Parks Victoria joined the supply scheme.
In 2009/10, 102 million litres of recycled water was supplied through Southern Rural Water to the Werribee Tourist Precinct.
Werribee Irrigation District
Map of the Werribee Irrigation District Recycled Water Scheme
(Click here to enlarge image)
The Werribee Irrigation District is an important market garden precinct, located in the Werribee South area.
In January 2005, the Western Treatment Plant began supplying recycled water to the Werribee Irrigation District. The scheme was intended to provide an extra source of water, along with supply from the Werribee River and groundwater. As a consequence of Melbourne’s ongoing drought, recycled water has now become the major water source for many growers in the district. Recycled water provides a secure water supply for growers and takes pressure off the demand for water from the Werribee River and underground aquifers.
In 2009/10, 12,381 million litres of recycled water was supplied to Southern Rural Water for distribution to growers in the Werribee Irrigation District.
For more information about the scheme please contact Southern Rural Water.
Werribee Employment Precinct
The Werribee Employment Precinct (previously Werribee Technology Precinct) is a 900 hectare site that is home to a number of high profile research and learning institutions.
Recycled water has been supplied to this precinct since June 2007. Current customers include:
- Melbourne Water’s Hoppers Crossing Pumping Station – which uses up to 100 million litres for pump lubrication and motor cooling.
- University of Melbourne Veterinary College - for wash-down of animal enclosures.
- Water for landscaping features at various sites in the precinct.
In 2009/10, 138 million litres of recycled water was supplied to City West Water for the Werribee Employment Precinct.
City West Water provides retail services to the Werribee Employment Precinct. City West Water is currently investigating an expansion to the scheme. It is anticipated that a diverse range of customers in the area could use more than 300 million litres of recycled water per year.
Photo courtesy of
City West Water
Residential developments
Melbourne Water is working with City West Water and government departments to supply recycled water to residential developments in the City of Wyndham.
One of these, a master plan for Werribee Fields, is a new 2000-home 'green' suburb displaying market-leading sustainable water and energy use. The suburb will incorporate environmentally friendly features including:
- a 'dual pipe' recycled water system
- energy-efficient housing
- a new, green and sustainable urban community.
Western Treatment Plant standpipes
Since November 2006, Class A recycled water has been supplied to users from a standpipe facility at the Western Treatment Plant.
The standpipe facility is operated by City West Water. Recycled water is collected by tankers and is supplied for many uses such as tree watering by councils within Melbourne.
The standpipes were upgraded to a more permanent facility in 2008 to provide better access, efficiency and traffic management.
In 2009/10, 127 million litres of recycled water was supplied through the standpipes for a range of applications.
Conservation at Western Treatment Plant
In 2009/10, 17,199 million litres of recycled water is used onsite to conserve habitats in the Western Treatment Plant’s wetlands.