Recycled water project to service 5000 homes

Yarra Valley Water will begin a project that will provide recycled water to more than 5000 homes and businesses in parts of Lilydale and Chirnside Park.

The Brushy Creek Recycled Water Project will provide a sustainable and reliable water supply, treating wastewater so it can be safely reused for non-drinking water purposes like flushing toilets, washing clothes and watering gardens.

The project includes construction of:

• a 3.7 km recycled water pipeline from the Brushy Creek Recycled Water Treatment Plant in Chirnside Park to Plantes Hill Reservoir in Mooroolbark;
• a 2.1 ML recycled water tank at Yarra Valley Water’s Plantes Hill site;
• two above-ground pressure-reducing stations on Fletcher Road and at Brushy Creek Recycled Water Treatment Plant.
   

“Recycled water is an important part of creating sustainable communities,” said Yarra Valley Water General Manager Asset Services Bridie Fennessy. “By using recycled water for flushing toilets, washing clothes, watering gardens and cleaning cars, customers can save the amount of drinking water a household uses by up to 25%.

“A major project like this helps us get the most out of every drop and ensures we can continue delivering a reliable water supply as our population grows.”

The pipeline will be built using a combination of open trench and ‘trenchless’ methods. Trenchless installation involves drilling or boring underground to minimise disturbance to the trees and vegetation above.

Project manager Ken Singh said, “We’ll work to minimise disruptions where possible, and will make safety a priority at every stage of the project.”

Construction on the pipeline and the tanks will be undertaken concurrently, with the project expected to take approximately two years to complete.

Image caption: Recycled water pipeline. Image supplied by Yarra Valley Water.