Recycled water could flow at Birregurra businesses

BARWON Water is encouraging businesses in Birregurra to explore opportunities for the use of recycled water for non-drinking purposes.

The water corporation has just opened an expressions of interest (EOI) process, which Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter said was part of the next phase of the Birregurra Sustainable Communities – Water project.

“Following the summer success of the Birregurra Sustainable Communities – Water project, where we partnered with the community to save more than 11 million litres of water a year through leak detection and water efficiency, we are hoping businesses will look to make use of recycled water from the Birregurra Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), to further conserve our precious drinking water supplies,” Ms Slatter said.

She said the use of recycled water for non-drinking purposes was one of the many ways Barwon Water was rising to meet the challenges a hotter, drier climate was putting on the environment and traditional water supply sources.

“Using recycled water means we are taking less drinking water from our reservoirs, which helps to manage demand – especially given lower average rainfall in recent years,” she said.

“As part of our Strategy 2030 aim to be zero waste, optimising the non-drinking use of our recycled water is a top priority.”

Recycled water from the WRP is already used for irrigation of the Birregurra sports reserves, but another 25 megalitres of Class C recycled water is available for use annually as part of the EOI.

Class C recycled water is approved by EPA Victoria for a range of irrigation uses including for pasture for livestock grazing; for crops such as barley, wheat and wine grapes; and for municipal parks and gardens.

Barwon Water will consider investing in infrastructure to deliver recycled water to an external private site.

Responses to the EOI are due by 3pm on July 25.

Tender documents can be downloaded and lodged online via Barwon Water’s website.