Recycled Water
Water recycling involves treating wastewater from our homes and businesses to remove impurities so it can be reused.
Recycling and reuse
Recycling involves treating wastewater to create new products which can be used in our homes, industry and agriculture.
Our recycling and reuse programs aim to save our precious drinking water supplies and reduce the amount of waste entering our environment.
Biosolids
Each year we produce biosolids from our 19 wastewater treatment plants and 100% of the biosolids we produce are beneficially reused through land application for farming and mine site rehabilitation.
Recycled Water Services
The main uses of recycled water in the Lower Hunter are watering open space, industrial, agricultural and residential.
Case study: Our first residential recycled water schemes
More than 1,100 homes in Chisholm and Gillieston Heights are being connected to recycled water in 2019 as part of our first residential recycled water scheme.
It is estimated each household will use 40 per cent less drinking water, by instead using high quality treated wastewater for a range of non-drinking purposes such as flushing toilets, machine washing clothes and watering the garden.
A purpose-built treatment plant at Morpeth supplies recycled water to 355 homes in Chisholm, and the new Farley treatment plant supplies 772 homes in Gillieston Heights.
The new schemes are expected to significantly reduce the amount of drinking water used at each property, and in turn help preserve our water supplies. When much of the state is experiencing drought, it’s really important that we save our precious resource.
How we use biosolids
Each year we produce about 45,000 wet tonnes of biosolids from our 19 wastewater treatment plants and 100% of the biosolids are beneficially reused through land application for farming and mine site rehabilitation.
We are also investigating different options for the use of biosolids that will benefit the whole of the Lower Hunter region.
Help keep it clean
Our biosolids have to comply with regulations to protect public health and our environment. However, the quality of the biosolids we produce can be impacted by what you put down the drain or flush down the toilet. You can help by:
- Properly disposing of paint, chemicals and medicines
- Using phosphorous free detergents and pesticides
- Keeping grease, oil and milk out of the sink
Resources
Recycled water resources for schools
Help students learn about what recycled water can be used for around the home. Look out, purple taps about!