New tools to encourage the uptake of water recycling

The CEO of the National Water Commission, Ken Matthews, and the Executive Director of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), Ross Young, have released three new software tools to assist Australia’s water managers to safely implement water recycling schemes.

Matthews said, “Water recycling is an important option in building a more reliable and diversified water supply portfolio for Australian cities and to meet the pressures of drought, climate variability and population growth.

“These new software tools will support the National Water Initiative’s commitment to encourage re-use and recycling by enabling practitioners to safely manage water recycling schemes.

“Uptake of the tools will help improve certainty in planning recycled water systems, provide clarity on the scientific evidence used to support recycling decisions and promote national consistency for both industry and regulators in managing critical water quality issues,” said Matthews.

Young said, “Australia is one of the world leaders in managing water quality for drinking and recycled water uses and these tools will assist planners, operators and regulators in improving and robustly managing potential water quality risks.

“There has been rapid increase in the volume of recycled water produced across Australia and each state and territory is now implementing recycling as an important component of their water supply portfolio.

“These tools will provide additional support to recycled water supply organisations ranging from smaller scale systems such as golf courses and council-operated systems watering parks and ovals through to large utility-managed dual reticulation schemes,” said Young.

The tools have been developed to assist implementation of the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling and comprise three software components:

• Requality - a self-assessment, continuous improvement tool for urban water recycler,
• AquaSafe - an exposure and treatment technology performance database, and
• Web-based user friendly guide - explains how to use the software tools to help implement the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling.

The development of the tools was funded under the National Water Commission’s Raising National Water Standards Program. Further information can be found at www.nwc.gov.au or at www.wsaa.asn.au.