Update December 2023

In our last update to the Diggers Rest community in December 2021, we told communities we would develop a servicing plan for customers across our regions, which would incorporate an options analysis for supplying Class A recycled water to properties in Diggers Rest.

While extensive work has been undertaken to understand our infrastructure options, further analysis is required to confirm planning for the Diggers Rest area.

In line with our 2024 price submission assessment process, our analysis considers:

• the current demand for and use of recycled water across residential estates
• effectively prioritising projects for the greatest overall community, environmental and financial benefit
• what our communities told us about their priorities during engagement.

We anticipate being able to provide a further update in early to mid-2024.

Thank you for your patience while we confirm service and infrastructure requirements to continue providing affordable and reliable water services for our communities.

Update December 2021

Following our previous update, we have considered the findings of your feedback and information gathered. This analysis has helped inform our decision making and our Board committee has been provided with an update of our recommendations.

A report summarising our findings and recommendations resulting from the engagement activities is now available in the document library.

We have also updated the Q&A document to reflect the new information that's come to hand. You can access the revised document here.

Next Steps

• Greater Western Water will proceed with developing a servicing plan over the next 18 months. This service plan will incorporate an options analysis for supplying Class A recycled water to homes in the Diggers Rest area.
• We’ll keep the community updated so they can understand the options we’re considering and the outcomes of our analysis.
• As mentioned in our previous update, we’ll be considering Class A recycled water charges under GWW as we plan for our next Price Submission*.

*As Greater Western Water, our current Price Submissions were made by the ESC for Western Water and City West Water prior to the two businesses coming together. These will remain in place until our next regulatory period begins. This date has now been extended to 1 July 2024. This will give us more time to make informed commitments for our service area.

We will share information with you on opportunities to get involved in price submission engagement activities as they become available.

On 8 June we met with community members living in Diggers Rest about the potential future supply of Class A recycled water to the estate.

We would like to thank those residents who joined the conversation and contributed by sending through their feedback and questions.

The information gathered will be valuable as we progress planning around supplying Class A recycled water for your community.

We heard the community is mostly positive about recycled water. However, there are concerns are about the timing of the connection to the supply as well as the current charges for Class A recycled water for customers living in the area previously serviced by Western Water.

This feedback - along with the other information gathered - will be passed on to the Board to inform their decision making.

Please see the Q&As in the document library at right for responses to questions and information requests that we received at the session and through the consultation site.

Right now, we’re finalising a report summarising what we’ve heard and will share that back to the community through this page.

Future pricing for Class A recycled water

We’re considering the level of Class A recycled water charges under GWW as we plan for our next Price Submission, with revised prices to come into effect from 1 July 2023.

In Victoria, water corporations are required to prepare a Price Submission, generally every five years, to submit to the Essential Services Commission. The Price Submission sets out our plans for investing in the services we provide, the prices we will charge, and the customer outcomes we will deliver for the coming five years.

We are planning for GWW’s next Price Submission and have shared the community’s feedback about Class A recycled water with the Price Submission team. Revised prices are likely to come into effect from 1 July 2023.

We will also share opportunities with you on how to get involved in price submission engagement activities.

Background

Some homes in Diggers Rest have had dual water supply pipes installed, one for drinking and a purple pipe for Class A recycled water.

Class A recycled water can be used for:

• flushing toilets
• watering the garden, including vegetables
• washing cars, outdoor furniture and external house cleaning
• fire fighting
• ornamental ponds and water features
• clothes washing

To date, Class A recycled water has not been available to homes with dual water supply. Instead, drinking water has been provided through both meters. This has been a little confusing and has concerned some community members.

We will continue to update you on the potential supply of Class A recycled water to your area through this page.

How to stay involved

Stay informed

• Subscribe for updates about this project
• Read our Frequently Asked Questions

Send us your questions or comments

• If there's more you want to know, send your question or comment via the Feedback Form below

Next steps

How we will use your input

• We have captured the feedback provided about the potential supply of Class A recycled water to your community and will develop an engagement findings report.
• The report will be provided to the Board to help inform their planning and decision making about the supply of Class A recycled water to your estate.
• A summary of the report will be available on this page along with the Board’s decision.
• We’ll also communicate the outcome to the community.