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Bendigo is a major regional city in Victoria. It has an urban population of around 140,000 people, making it the fourth largest inland city in Australia.

You can view the latest Water Summary for Bendigo here.

Water restrictions

Water Supply

Coliban System (Northern) - supplies Bendigo, Axedale, Huntly, Raywood, Sebastian, Heathcote and Tooborac. The towns can be supplied by the Upper Coliban, Lauriston and Malmsbury Reservoirs, located near Kyneton. The towns can also be supplied from an 18 per cent share of Lake Eppalock, or the Waranga Basin via the Goldfields Superpipe.

Water Treatment

Water is treated at the Bendigo Water Treatment Plant.

The Water Treatment Process (PDF 43KB) includes microfiltration, ozonation, BAC filtration, pH correction, fluoridation and chloramination.

Wastewater

Sewage

In the Bendigo region, sewage flows via gravity to the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Epsom. In lower altitude areas, sewage is collected and pumped into the Bendigo system or taken to the plant.

The sewer also collects trade waste from commercial sites.

What happens at the water reclamation plant

The Bendigo WRP is our largest plant. It receives sewage from the sewerage system, as well as septic tank waste delivered by local contractors.

It treats around 20 megalitres per day. It produces 3 classes of recycled water that we can reuse:

Class C recycled water

The Biological Nutrient Removal Plant removes nutrients, carbon and solids to produce treated Class C recycled water. A 46-hectare lagoon system treats and stores wastewater for irrigation during drier months.

Class B recycled water

The Tertiary Treatment Plant uses a combination of chemical dosing, filtration and UV disinfection to produce treated Class B recycled water. The water is used at the Fosterville gold mine or for controlled release into Bendigo Creek.

Class A recycled water

The Recycled Water Factory at Epsom produces treated Class A recycled water using a combination of chlorination/UV disinfection and membrane filtration.

The highest treated level, Class A can be used for standpipes, at parks and gardens, and schools.

Standpipes

Standpipes

There are 3 standpipes in Bendigo:

  • Reservoir Road, Strathdale
  • Retreat Road, Spring Gully
  • Stanley Avenue, Spring Gully (recycled water)

For more information on standpipes and how to use them, see water carting.

Projects and planned works

We plan projects and works to maintain and improve our services. Find out more about our current projects or planned works in our region.

Last updated on 06 Apr 2020
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