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Recycled water in WA

WA Health supports water recycling as a sustainable and beneficial option to manage our scarce and valuable water resources.

Recycled water derived from sewage, sewer mining, greywater and industry can be treated to the required standards for different beneficial uses.

Examples of end-uses of recycled water that has been treated to a level that is adequate for the intended end-use also called ‘fit-for-purpose’ include:

  • enhancement of environmental flows
  • irrigation of public open spaces and agriculture
  • toilet flushing
  • dust suppression
  • augmentation of drinking water supplies.
All recycled water schemes must be approved by the Chief Health Officer prior to implementation.

Refer to the Application process for approval of recycling water scheme for further information.

Recycled water monitoring

Recycled water can contain many contaminants including:

  • pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa
  • chemicals such as heavy metals and pesticides

A monitoring program for contaminants in recycled water is required to ensure recycled water is safe for the intended end uses Microbial analysis for wastewater, sewage sludge and biosolids factsheet (PDF 78KB).

The monitoring program is based on the likelihood of human contact with the recycled water (risk exposure level). For example urban irrigation with unrestricted access is classified as high exposure risk level and therefore water need to be treated to a high quality level to minimise human risk.

For recycled water monitoring requirements refer to the Guidelines for the Non-Potable Uses of Recycled Water in Western Australia (PDF 1.6MB).

To ensure samples are collected correctly and safely, refer to the:

For samples submitted to PathWest, a completed Request Form must be included with the sample submission.

Recycled water publications

The Guidelines for the non-potable uses of recycled water in Western Australia (PDF 1.6MB) are designed to provide a planning and implementation framework for water recycling schemes. The Guidelines are based on a risk management framework and apply the ‘12 element’ risk assessment used in the National Guidelines for Water Recycling.

Please note that the Guidelines for the Non-Potable Uses of Recycled Water in WA have been amended in March 2024 to maintain its currency and accuracy. A full list of amendments are detailed in the Amendments to the guidelines for the non-potable uses of recycled water in WA – March 2024 factsheet (PDF 352KB).

Notification requirements

Recycled water scheme operators are to ensure where a system is to be switched off for an extended period of time (e.g. winter period) that a notification is sent through to wwalert@health.wa.gov.au, which includes:

  • information on the proposed duration of cessation of supply 
  • re-start procedures (e.g. system flushing) and 
  • testing to be done to verify required water quality standards are met on recommencement of supply

Recycled water scheme operators should use the following email addresses for other notification requirements:

  • WWalert@health.wa.gov.au – For any other cessation of supply or incident involving the recycled water scheme, including failure to meet the required microbial quality standard as per conditions of the recycled water scheme approval
  • SSalert@health.wa.gov.au – For any reportable wastewater overflow event as per the Wastewater Overflow Notification and Response Procedures 2021 protocol 
  • Rwresults@health.wa.gov.au – For annual reports (due 30th September each year) and other result reporting requirements as per recycled water scheme approval conditions

 

Useful links
Last reviewed: 29-10-2020
Produced by

Environmental Health Directorate

wa.gov.au