Recycling and Reuse

Hunter Water Corporation is using recycled water as one approach towards the long-term management of the water cycle and the reliable delivery of water and wastewater services to the Lower Hunter Region, while also ensuring confidence in public health and environmental protection. Hunter Water has several recycled water projects currently in place and new opportunities for the future.

Recycled water is a valuable product that can be used to substitute for drinking water supplies in a variety of applications such as irrigation, toilet flushing, industrial process water and washing machines. Hunter Water is committed to recycling and therefore has a Recycled Water Policy which outlines what we endeavour to achieve.

Hunter Water recycles approximately 5091ML (5091 million litres) per year. Recycled water usage is divided into four categories:

• Irrigation Use - including local golf courses, a local trotting track and the Kurri TAFE using approximately 469ML of recycled water per year.
• Agricultural Use - including local farmers, woodlots and the Karuah Effluent Reuse Enterprise using approximately 341ML of recycled water per year.
• Industrial Use - including Eraring Power Station and the Oceanic Coal Washery using approximately 2061ML of recycled water per year.
• Residential Use - including three land developments at Thornton North, Gilleston Heights and Coorangbong North.

Below is list outlining reuse for 2008/09.