Yarra Valley Water boosts local recycled water use
The water utility announced completion of a new recycled water main in Croydon, marking a significant milestone as one of Australia’s first recycled water offset pilots.
The Maroondah community will benefit from the 300m water main, which will deliver high quality recycled water to green spaces, including the Barngeong Reserve sporting oval. It’s expected to save the council approximately 3 million litres of drinking water each year.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Pat McCafferty said the pilot is part of a longer-term road map to conserve water.
“We need to adapt to our changing climate and increased demand for water – so we can continue to support local communities and ensure we have water for environmental, cultural and recreational use.”
In partnership with the Level Crossing Removal Project, this new infrastructure was built by Yarra Valley Water to connect the reserve to its recycled water network.
Water plays a vital role in construction, as it is used for dust suppression and irrigation for landscaping. The recycled water pilot provides a way for construction projects to offset drinking water used during works.
This initiative will offset 15.5 million litres of drinking water used during the construction of four level crossing removal projects over five years —equivalent to more than 6 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The project aligns with the Victorian Government’s Suburban Parks Program to create and improve open spaces across the city.
Expanding recycled water infrastructure and diversifying water sources is crucial for securing our water supplies for the future.