Recycled Water is Safe
Summary
- Recycled water is treated to a standard that is considered safe for the intended use by the Department of Health.
- EPA Victoria has set guidelines for using recycled water.
- The quality of recycled water must be suitable for its intended use.
Photo courtesy of MacKillop College
Recycled water quality depends on a number of factors, including:
- whether the sewage has come from industrial or domestic sources (or a combination of both)
- the quality of the raw sewage and what controls are in place to maintain and protect sewers
- the level and type of treatment undertaken.
The quality of recycled water must be suitable for its intended use. Factors to consider include:
- the microbiological quality of recycled water
- nutrients (how many nutrients are in the water)
- salinity (how much total dissolved solids are in the water)
- other water quality requirements specific to each end use.
In Victoria, the EPA has set guidelines for using recycled water to protect human health and the environment.
See EPA Victoria’s website for more information on guidelines for recycling and reusing water.
Victorian regulation has grouped recycled water into 'classes', based on its microbiological and physical quality.
National guidelines are also now available. See Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling, which require the water to be ‘fit for the intended purpose’ rather than prescribing the quality of water in ‘classes’.
Currently, Melbourne Water supplies Class A and Class C recycled water from its treatment plants in accordance with EPA Victoria’s Guidelines for Environmental Management.
The Department of Health has classified Class A recycled water as safe for use on irrigation of food crops - including those eaten raw. An extensive treatment verification process is required to ensure Class A water meets these guidelines.