Coliban Water is encouraging high-water using businesses such as farmers, golf courses, racetracks and cropping enterprises to consider a long-term sustainable recycled water supply.
Recycled water would be made available from the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant in Epsom.
An Expressions of Interest (EOI) period will run from Thursday 1 February to Thursday 29 February for those interested.
Coliban Water General Manager Operations Julian Bull said anyone within a 10km radius of the plant can register their interest but customers in Huntly, Epsom, Bagshot, Wellsford, Barnadown and towards Fosterville are particularly encouraged to apply.
“This is because we have an existing recycled water pipeline which runs between our plant in Epsom to Fosterville.
“This is an exciting opportunity to connect to recycled water.
“Recycled water is wastewater that is treated so that it is safe to be sustainably re-used for many different purposes and is a highly reliable water source in a changing climate,” Mr Bull said.
Recycled water will play a key role as part of a broader program of large-scale upgrades which will future-proof wastewater treatment services for the Bendigo region.
“Our Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant was established 100 years ago and following major upgrades in the 1990s, large scale works are required as we face the challenges of population growth, ageing assets and a changing climate,” Mr Bull said.
“We will renew and replace these assets over several years, and our plant will adapt and modernise.
“An increase in population means an increase in the volume of wastewater received by our plant,” he said. “This means as we treat the wastewater, there will be more recycled water available for re-use in the future.”
The plant produces Class A, B and C recycled water, which can be used for irrigating farms, dairy cattle grazing, vineyards, golf courses, sports grounds and agricultural irrigation as outlined in the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victorian guideline for water recycling.
Approximately 2,400 ML of recycled water is already supplied to a number of residential and commercial customers in Bendigo via the purple recycled water network. It is also released to Bendigo Creek as part of Coliban Water’s EPA operating licence.
“The aim of the EOI is to determine interest from prospective customers in accessing recycled water and to seek input from them on their requirements, including intended use, estimated volumes and quality.”
“We look forward to forming new partnerships with customers, and building on existing successful partnerships within the community,” Mr Bull said.
Apply or learn more at connect.coliban.com.au/bendigo-recycled-water-initiative