Yarra Valley Water has announced the completion of a new recycled water main in Croydon, marking a significant milestone as one of Australia’s first recycled water offset pilots.
The 300m water main will benefit the Maroondah community by delivering high-quality recycled water to green spaces, including the Barngeong Reserve sporting oval. It’s expected to save the council approximately three million litres of drinking water each year.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director, Pat McCafferty, said the pilot is part of a longer-term road map to conserve water.
“We need to adapt to our changing climate and increased demand for water – so we can continue to support local communities and ensure we have water for environmental, cultural and recreational use,” Mr McCafferty said.
In partnership with the Level Crossing Removal Project, this new infrastructure was built by Yarra Valley Water to connect the reserve to its recycled water network.
The utility said that water plays a vital role in construction, as it is used for dust suppression and landscaping irrigation. The recycled water pilot provides a way for construction projects to offset drinking water used during works.
This initiative is expected to offset 15.5 million litres of drinking water used during the construction of four level crossing removal projects over five years – equivalent to more than six Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The project aligns with the Victorian Government’s Suburban Parks Program to create and improve open spaces across the city.
Yarra Valley Water said that expanding recycled water infrastructure and diversifying water sources are crucial for securing our water supplies for the future.
Featured image: Yarra Valley Water.