Recycling water in your backyard

Unit blocks, gated communities and other strata-titled properties could collect, manage and recycle water on site to take pressure off mains water, a Griffith University report has found.

Strata-titled property schemes have significant potential to develop and manage water collection and wastewater recycling plants, the report, commissioned by the National Water Commission, found.

It highlights how individual unit owners can communally own their water and wastewater supply infrastructure in order to service their water needs and sell oversupply to neighbouring properties.

“Water shortages during the recent drought have renewed concerns about the sustainability of urban water management, but with local systems owned communally, it would take the pressure off the government-owned systems and save considerable power that is currently consumed pumping water over large distances,” report co-author Professor Chris Guilding said.

“Such decentralisation of water management could signify that ‘local water’ is sufficient to service the occupants of the scheme and provide irrigation for the grounds of a development.

“It could also allow for on-selling any excess water to third parties to help pay for a system‘s operational costs.”

The report, 'Exploring the regulatory framework and governance of decentralised water management systems: a strata and community title perspective', was prepared by Jan Warnken, Nicole Johnston and Chris Guilding from the Centre for Tourism, Sport and Service Innovation.

The report provides an overview of the existing regulatory framework and governance issues associated with decentralised water management systems (DWMSs) within strata and community titled (S&CT) complexes.

“Re-developments of ‘brownfield‘ (inner city) sites in areas with high rainfall are strong candidates for the systems, so there can be an increase in housing, without putting pressure on existing water infrastructure,” Professor Guilding said.

“This can be done by installing communal rainwater tanks and greywater or blackwater treatment and recycling systems.

“In this environment, wastewater treatment plants can be connected to sewer mains to guarantee the safe discharge of untreated water.”

The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with developers, S&CT managers as well as water industry experts. Delegates at the National Community Titles Institute 2008 conference were also surveyed.

“Generally, those interviewed and surveyed believed that DWMSs have a future in the marketplace,” Professor Guilding said.

Primary concerns held by S&CT managers related to the management, headworks charges and water service fees.

The key findings of the study were that body corporates should retain ownership of all infrastructure and employ a resident or facility manager to monitor and maintain the system.

Properties with 50-250 or more units should have a water technology company operate their facility and the lots should be individually metered to provide water-saving incentives.

Liability insurance, long-term financial costs and recommendations on legislative changes are also covered in the report. The report recommends certification and licensing requirements for effluent recycling schemes, qualified professionals to manage the schemes and extensive consultation with stakeholders in the planning stages.

The report is part of a series of works commissioned by the National Water Commission on key water issues. The study was undertaken by Griffith University on behalf of the National Water Commission.