Wastewater Reuse
Effluent is sewerage treated in accordance with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) licensing. Uses of effluent are regulated by guidelines set by the EPA to protect the environment and ensure public safety. The guidelines prevent the use of treated effluent on edible leaf plants. However, other food crops, particularly those that require processing before consumption, can be grown with treated effluent.
The EPA publication, Guidelines for Wastewater Reuse (1996) provides information on potential reuse options; roles and responsibilities of suppliers and users; wastewater quality, and wastewater treatment. Under these guidelines, wastewater can be classified for potential use based on water quality criteria into Class A, B and C. Different restrictions on use apply to these classes and additional precautions and monitoring may be required.
Class A is suitable for urban (garden watering and toilets), agriculture (direct contact with crops) and aquaculture (human food chain) uses.
Class B is suitable for municipal (uncontrolled access), agricultural (contact with some crops), aquaculture (non-human food chain), pasture and fodder, and Industrial (non cooling towers) uses.
Class C: suitable for municipal (controlled public access), agriculture (no direct contact with crop), pasture (not for pigs or milking animals), and construction and mining uses.
A total of 26 wastewater overflows occurred in East Gippsland during 1998/99. This was 21 above the target of 5. There were 5 overflows caused by vandalism and bursts in rising mains. The 21 overflows caused by blockages were mainly due to continued tree root activity caused by on-going drought conditions throughout most of the East Gippsland region (East Gippsland Region Water Authority, 1999).
Reliability of Wastewater Collection Service:
1998/99 | 1997/98 | 1996/97 | |
| Total no. of overflows | 26 | 18 | 24 |
| Total length of sewers (kms) | 484.9 | 461.3 | 429.0 |
| No. overflows per 100 kms of sewers | 5.4 | 3.9 | 5.6 |
| Target | 1.1 | 2.2 | 10.7 |
The period 1997/98 to 1998/99 has seen an improvement in the total volume and percentage of total wastewater recycled in East Gippsland, rising from 1 187 ML in 1996/97 to 1,344.7 ML in 1997/98 and 1998/99 – an increase of 2%.
Volume and Percentage of Wastewater Collected and Recycled in East Gippsland, 1996/97 to 1998/99:
1998/99 | 1997/98 | 1996/97 | |
| Volume of wastewater collected ML | 2,395.5 | 2,395.5 | 2,194 |
| Volume of wastewater recycled ML | 1,344.7 | 1,344.7 | 1,187 |
| % of wastewater recycled | 56% | 56% | 54% |
| Target % | 54% | 54% | 57% |
References
East Gippsland Region Water Authority (1999). Annual Report 1998/99. Bairnsdale, Victoria.
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) (1996). Guidelines for Wastewater Reuse. Victoria.
© The State of Victoria, 1996 - 2012.
This document was last reviewed on 31/12/2009