• What does ‘recycled water free of charge’ mean?

The Water Corporation will provide recycled water free of charge to our wastewater treatment plant boundary for community uses. This water will be provided on an 'as-is where-is' basis which means the user of the recycled water will be responsible for all infrastructure and other costs associated with the transport, additional treatment and irrigation from the wastewater treatment plant boundary to the point of use.

All relevant health and environmental regulations must be met by the user before the water can be supplied. In some instances, this will mean that users may also need to invest in additional treatment, storage and monitoring on their site.

• What does ‘community uses’ mean?

Community uses are uses that benefit the community as a whole and are generally not operated for commercial profit. 
 
For example, if a local government wants to irrigate an oval for everyone to enjoy at no cost, this would be seen as community use.  We will therefore provide recycled water to our wastewater treatment plant boundary, without charge. The local government will pay for any additional treatment and piping to transport and reticulate their oval.

The same goes for public schools and community groups. Land developers may also want to incorporate the use of recycled water into the design of their public open space.  As long as it can be enjoyed by everyone and there is enough recycled water available from our treatment plants, it will be provided free to help green our communities.

The application assessment process will determine if the proposed use qualifies as community benefit, to receive the free recycled water.

All users will also need to demonstrate that the recycled water is being used wisely, with steps taken to minimise evaporation and unnecessary waste.

Naturally, this recycled water is not available to be sold on to a third party for commercial profit.

• Streamlined Agreement Process and duration of agreements

A streamlined agreement and application process is being developed to ensure prompt finalisation of agreements after formal application is made.

All existing agreements will be reviewed to ensure they are brought into line with the new policy.

Recycled water agreements will now run for a standard period of ten years, with an option to extend for a further five years. To ensure the recycled water is being used wisely, users will need to meet basic conditions including the safe operation of their scheme.

What if…?

• No water is available or it’s not the right quality?

Even treated wastewater is scarce in some locations. Where recycled water is already being provided under a recycled water agreement and the customer is meeting all conditions of that agreement, it is not available to be reallocated until that agreement expires.

The Water Corporation will not undertake any upgrading of existing facilities to increase the amount or quality of wastewater available free of charge.

Different qualities and quantities of wastewater are available around Western Australia. It’s best to check with us to find out more about local wastewater availability.

• There is an existing recycled water supply agreement?

All existing recycled water supply agreements will continue until they expire.  The Water Corporation will however undertake a review of these agreements to determine if any customers may pay less under this policy. 

We will contact any customers favourably impacted by these changes to renegotiate these agreements as soon as practicable.

The Water Corporation will work with representatives from local government, industry and the community to ensure that these agreements are implemented efficiently and effectively.

• Water recycling is the best or only disposal option?

In Perth, almost all wastewater schemes include an outfall providing the option to discharge treated wastewater to the ocean according to environmental conditions. This ensures a safe method of disposal where wastewater is not recycled.

In regional areas, however, there are often limited disposal options, particularly in towns that are inland or located near sensitive environments.

In these instances, recycling water for irrigating public open space, golf courses or other uses may be the safest, most cost effective option.

In these cases, the Water Corporation will partner with recycled water customers to minimise costs to the community and ensure the safe and reliable operation of the scheme.

The transition to this arrangement will be progressive.
 

• What about charges for business and industry?

Business and other commercial enterprises will continue to pay a contribution to joint costs of the wastewater network – that is, they will pay a charge for the recycled water.

As in the case for community use, business and industry will be responsible for any additional infrastructure and operating costs associated with the transport, treatment and use of the recycled water beyond the Water Corporation’s treatment plant boundary.

If there are genuine difficulties in funding this charge, the Water Corporation can discuss alternative arrangements with customers.