Australia links with the US WateReuse Association

Information and research on water recycling available in Australia will be boosted with the establishment of an Australian division of the United States WateReuse Association.

Australia's major water utilities peak body, the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), has finalised negotiations with the US body to establish the local division.

The chair of WSAA, Dr Kerry Schott, said the organisations will share the aim of advancing the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science and technology using recycled water and desalination for the benefit of the community.

“This is the first division of this association set up outside the US. We are delighted to now have an Australian division as recycled water and desalination are such important issues here. In fact, in many respects Australia leads the world in the use of recycled water and desalination," president of the WateReuse Association Rich Atwater said.

Australian water utilities will be able to join as Class A members of the Australian division of the WateReuse Association and other interested bodies such as consulting engineering firms and equipment suppliers can join as Class B members.

The WSAA executive director, Ross Young, said there has been no trouble getting Australian water utilities to become members of the Australian division.