In the Macedon Ranges, recyled water is mainly used to irrigate vineyards, crops, sporting grounds, golf courses and public gardens.

Benefits

Using recycled water locally promotes sustainability in the region and:

• conserves resources and decreases demand on our precious drinking water supplies
• can be a cheaper option for certain uses
• supports local industry
• can reduce the environmental impacts associated with trucking the water elsewhere.

Drawbacks

There might not be enough customers or purposes to reuse this water at all times. This may be because:

• There is a limited number of potential customers in the region, and they won’t always need the large volume of water we have available.
• Population growth leads to more volumes to manage.
• During wet months, additional water is not needed for irrigation and other purposes.
• Customers may choose not to use recycled water, due to their own preferences.

Storing recycled water until it’s ready to be used is one simple option for managing excess volumes. Recycled water is stored in on-site reservoirs and lagoons.

Benefits

• Storage buys time and gives us some flexibility until we can find a suitable use.
• On-site lagoons can offer habitats for wildlife

Drawbacks

• Short term solution, but not sustainable for long term.
• This option relies on available space and funds.
• Money could be spent on creating more storage, however ultimately this water would still need to be managed.

If recycled water can’t be used or released locally, we can sometimes transport it to another area, either by pipelines or trucks.

For example, right now Greater Western Water is building the Western Irrigation Network, which is a large water transportation system that will bring recycled water to dry farmland regions.

Benefits

• Piping or trucking water out of the Macedon Ranges gives us access to many more customers who can use recycled water for irrigation or other large-scale purposes.
• This option gives us flexibility to be able to provide water for irrigation, or transport it elsewhere where it can either be reused or safely discharged.

• Trucking water can be done at short notice. No additional infrastructure is needed.

Drawbacks (pipelines)

• Medium-to-long term solution
• Offers flexibility for managing excess recycled water. Water can either be pumped to where it is needed, or where it can safely be discharged or stored.
• This option relies on available infrastructure, and it is expensive to build

• It can take many years to build a pipeline network
• It can be a missed opportunity to use the recycled water locally.
• Consumes a lot of energy, which we work to offset.
• Can be disruptive to build, and involves finding appropriate land and space.

Drawbacks (trucking water)

• Short term solution, but not sustainable for long term.
• Consumes a lot of energy, which is costly and impactful to the environment.
• Can be quite disruptive to the community and wildlife. Water tankers can be large and noisy, particularly in quiet rural areas.
• Weather dependent. During extended periods of wet weather, additional water is not needed for irrigation, meaning there is nowhere to truck it to.
• If it’s a particularly wet season, the storage in nearby recycled water plants would likely be full too.

Releasing, or discharging, controlled amounts of treated recycled water into waterways is a short-term solution to managing excess water.

Where we do this, we’re bound by strict rules, set by the Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), that hold us accountable and are committed to making sure the water we release into waterways has the least possible impact on the creek, river, or stream.

We undertake strict monitoring at our recycled water treatment plants to ensure we meet water quality standards that protect the health of our communities and the environment.

Benefits

• Discharging excess treated wastewater from our storage helps to reduce any potential for uncontrolled overflows and helps to protect infrastructure.
• Releasing excess water requires a lower infrastructure investment.
• During particularly dry periods, this can improve environmental flows in waterways, particularly during dry months, helping to maintain the waterway’s health.
• Can be done quickly.

Drawbacks

• Requires an initial investment in the treatment plant to ensure water is of suitable quality.
• Nutrients in recycled water can sometimes affect water system.*

*In the event of a controlled release of excess water into waterways, strict water quality monitoring processes remain in place to ensure we protect the health of our communities and the environment.