Westernport Water gets $2.5m federal grant for recycled water

Westernport Region Water Corporation has been awarded a $2.85 million federal grant to develop new wastewater treatment processes that will lessen the demand on local drinking water supplies.

The grant from the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns, under the Federal Government’s long-term Water for the Future initiative, will be used by Westernport Water to build infrastructure to produce Class A recycled water.

Class A is the highest class of recycled water with the widest range of uses including watering parks, gardens and sporting facilities; flushing toilets in homes and accommodation houses; agricultural cropping and animal feeding; and in industries that require water supplies for production.

Westernport Water will provide a matching $2.85 million for the necessary pipework to deliver the recycled water to its customers.

The Corporation’s Managing Director, Mr Murray Jackson, welcomed the Federal Government’s contribution announced this week by the Federal Minister for Water, Senator Penny Wong.

“This project enables us to recycle wastewater and so reduce the load on the district’s fresh drinking water supplies from Candowie Reservoir,” he said.

“It will also significantly reduce the discharge from Pyramid Rock into Bass Strait.”

Westernport Water provides water and wastewater services to 16,000 customers on Phillip Island and in the Gippsland districts between The Gurdies and Archies Creek.

The local population can swell to 80,000 during the holiday season and events like the motorcycle grand prix, and is expected to grow rapidly with the completion of the four-lane Bass Highway from Melbourne.

“The project is timely as Westernport Water implements its water supply diversification program to deliver reliable, water and wastewater services to consumers over the long-term,” Mr Jackson said.