Reclaimed Water Reuse
Recycled water is recognised for its importance in securing the reliability of our water resources and provides ‘fit for purpose’ water for a range of beneficial applications, including community parks, ovals, agriculture ventures and industrial uses. Recycled water is water that has been previously used, but has gone through an advanced treatment process so that it can be recycled back to the environment or used in potable substitution for the irrigation of parks, sports grounds and agricultural crops.
The drought conditions and an increasing knowledge of climate change have highlighted the need for communities to consider recycled water as part of their long term sustainable water plan.
In 2006/07 a new 220ML recycled water storage dam was constructed at Daylesford so that all of Daylesford’s 400ML of treated wastewater can be recycled. The recycled water is suppled to a local business to grow willow trees that provide the timber for cricket bat manufacture in addition to being used for irrigation on the Daylesford reclaimed water irrigation farm.
Maryborough Reuse Scheme is the longest running reuse program in the Central Highlands Region and has been operation for over a decade where the water has been used to irrigate the local golf course, parks and gardens and the in recent time local farm lands.
At Avoca, Ballan and Clunes recycled water was used to grow a range of crops including lucerne and other fodder crops. Investigations are also underway to upgrade the Beaufort wastewater plant to enable the water to be recycled.
All the reuse schemes are managed in accordance with EPA guidelines and all have Environmental Management Plans and intensive monitoring program to ensure environmental and public safety.
Reclaimed Water Application
Expression of interest to enter into a reclaimed water agreement with Central Highlands Water can be made by filling out the following form and returning to CHW for assessment.
 Reclaimed Water Application Form (88.02 kB)
Biosolids Reuse
Biosolids, commonly known as sewage sludge, is produced during the biological treatment of sewage. All Wastewater Treatment Plants produce biosolids whether they settle out in wastewater lagoons or are removed by mechanical process.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requires all Water Authorities to be working towards 100% beneficial reuse of biosolids production. Biosolids contain significant quantities of organic matter, moisture, nutrients and trace elements and as such are increasingly being viewed as a resource. Central Highlands Water has achieved 100% reuse of biosolids by entering into an agreement with a composting company, PineGro.
The biosolids are mixed with green waste for composting and the end composted material is used as a top soil for environmental rehabilitation.
Central Highlands Water continues to participate in the Australasian Biosolids Partnership (ABP)
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