Barwon Water’s Class A recycled water is now flowing through purple pipes to homes in Armstrong Creek and parts of Torquay, Mount Duneed and Charlemont in Victoria.
The Class A recycled water is treated and disinfected at the state-of-the-art Black Rock Water Recycling Facility before being pumped to holding tanks in Torquay and Mt Duneed. From there it is distributed to customers through a dedicated ‘purple pipe’ network.
Switching on Class A recycled water will save nearly half a gigalitre, or more than 1 per cent of the total annual water demand for the Geelong region.
Using recycled water means Barwon Water will be using less drinking water and relying less on the rain that falls in rivers and reservoirs.
The move also marks a milestone on its journey towards zero waste by 2030, turning a waste stream into a productive resource.
Customers connected to Class A recycled water can use their purple taps for a range of non-drinking purposes including watering lawns and gardens (including edible herbs, vegetables and fruit trees), washing vehicles and hard surfaces (such as paths, walls, windows and outdoor furniture), and running ponds and water features. Class A recycled water is also connected to toilets for flushing.
Class A recycled water is safe, high-quality and always in supply, regardless of climate or population factors. It is not subject to water restrictions, is cheaper for connected customers compared to drinking water and does not incur a service charge.
In addition to providing Class A recycled water to homes and businesses in Armstrong Creek and parts of Torquay, Mount Duneed and Charlemont, Barwon Water also supplies recycled water for productive reuse across the region to support agriculture and horticulture, golf courses and public open space.
The Northern Water Plant in Geelong supplies nearly 2GL per year of recycled water to the VIVA Energy Geelong Refinery, substituting the drinking water previously used by the refinery for refinery operations.
Barwon Water is also exploring the potential to substantially increase the use of recycled water on the Bellarine Peninsula and continues to explore opportunities to supply more recycled water from its water reclamation plants.
