Availability
Treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants in the Perth region
There are currently more than 120 gigalitres of wastewater being treated in metropolitan wastewater treatment plants, owned and operated by the Water Corporation. Only around six per cent of this treated wastewater is recycled in the metropolitan area. The Water Corporation is investigating other future treatment plant sites in areas that may develop significant demands for recycled water.
Subject to availability, the Water Corporation will provide treated wastewater for community benefit free-of-charge at the wastewater treatment plant boundary. With relevant environmental and health approvals, this water could be used to irrigate public open spaces, parks, ovals and recreation areas. The proponent – a developer or local government – will need to pay for any additional treatment, piping and transport costs.
Source: Water Forever: Towards Climate Resilience (Water Corporation, October 2009)
Sewer mining
Sewer mining is the process of extracting untreated wastewater from the sewerage network and treating it on-site in a treatment plant for non-drinking uses. Currently, there are no sewer mining schemes in Western Australia and only a small number in the eastern states.
As sewer mining is a complex option requiring the construction of a wastewater treatment facility, it is considered most viable when the reuse site is not close to an existing wastewater treatment plant. Where sewer mining is being considered from a Water Corporation sewerage system, the corporation’s sewer mining guidelines apply.
Alternative water supply map
The Water Corporation has developed an interactive alternative water supply map of the Water Corporation’s main sewer and drainage reticulation, wastewater treatment plants and sewer pump stations. These locations provide potential non-drinking water source options in the Perth metropolitan area. For information contact the Development Services branch on (08) 9420 2105 or visit the Water Corporation’s Website: Developing Alternative Water Supplies in the Metro Area.