Recycled water uses and benefits
Where recycled water can be used
Non-potable uses of recycled water include the irrigation of:
- Commercial food crops such as vineyards, fruit and nut trees,
- Non-food crops such as fodder, pasture, flowers and woodlots
- Municipal sites such as parks, gardens, ovals, median strips and golf courses
- Landscapes such as trees, shrubs, and gardens.
Additionally recycled water can be used for dual reticulation, where high quality recycled water is supplied to buildings via a tertiary purple pipe that supplies recycled water to toilets, washing machines or garden taps.
Benefits of recycling water
Recycled water is an integral component of sustainable water use and is strongly supported by the South Australian Government. The benefits of recycled water use include:
- reducing the demand on drinking water supplies and natural water catchments
- reducing the extraction of groundwater needed for agriculture or industrial purposes.
- reducing the amount of treated wastewater discharged into waterways and the ocean.
- reducing the need for agricultural fertiliser application because recycled water is typically high in nutrients.
- providing a guaranteed water supply that is not weather dependent.
While the supply and use of recycled water is strongly supported, it is crucial that it is undertaken in a manner that protects public and environmental health.