What is Recycled Water?
Class A is the highest quality recycled water and is produced in line with strict standards and guidelines developed by the Department of Human Services and the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).
Class A recycled water can be used for:
- garden watering
- closed system toilet flushing
- process/cooling water for industry
- fire protection stores and reticulation systems
- irrigation of parks and sportsgrounds
- water for contained wetlands or ornamental ponds
- food crops that are consumed raw or sold to consumers uncooked or processed
all of the uses listed for classes B, C and D
Class B
A secondary treatment process, combined with some pathogen reduction is used to produce Class B recycled water. With strict management practices it may be used for the following:
- irrigation of dairy cattle grazing fodder
- livestock drinking water (not including pigs)
- wash down water for dairy sheds and stockyards (not including milking equipment)
- urban (non-potable) uses with restricted public access
- closed industrial systems
all of the uses listed for classes C and D
Class C
A secondary treatment process combined with minor pathogen reduction is used to produce Class C recycled water. With strict management practices it may be used for the following:
- cooked/processed human food crops
- selected (raw/unprocessed) crops not directly exposed to recycled water (eg. apples)
- grazing/fodder for cattle, sheep, horses, goats etc.
- grazing for dairy cattle (subject to a five day withholding period after irrigation)
- urban (non-potable) uses with restricted public access
- closed industrial systems
all of the uses listed for Class D
Class D
A secondary treatment process is used to produce water of this quality. Class D recycled water may be used for the following uses:
- non food crops such as woodlots, turf growing and flowers
NB: Information above has been obtained from Melbourne Water site. For more information please visit Melbourne Water at www.melbournewater.com.au