The scheme will be delivered in two stages. The first stage will include the design and construction of a 12km transfer main to bring recycled water from the Eastern Treatment Plant (ETP) to service the identified locations.

For the next stage of the scheme, we'll build connection pipes from the transfer main to the identified sites. We've seperated the connection pipes into three packages of works (West, North and South connection networks) We expect to see recycled water flowing to these sites before 2028.

Works wil involve installing recycled water pipes, usually under the road. We'll be working in works stages of around 100-200m to minimise long term impacts to residents and the community.

Abergeldie, BMD and KBR (ABK) will complete the Transfer Main and West Connection Network on behalf of South East Water. The North and South Connection Networks are currently out for tender.

The Victorian Government announced part funding for the scheme as part of the delivery of the Central and Gippsland Regional Sustainable Water strategy, which aims to improve water security, liveability and waterway health for the next 40 years.

The project will cost approximately $72 million of which the Victorian Government has committed $24 million. The rest will be funded by South East Water and customers of the scheme

Only customers who have agreed to connect to the scheme will need to pay. Discussions with scheme customers on pricing will take place prior to connection. 

The benefits of the scheme include:

• Reducing costs for businesses and councils who currently rely on drinking water supplies for irrigation and commercial activities.
• Providing a high quality and drought-proof water supply to customers where other sources (e.g. groundwater and stormwater) are being impacted by climate change.
• Keeping parks and reserves green for the community to enjoy all year round.
• Preserving our precious drinking water supplies so we only use it where it's really needed. 

We supply recycled water to lots of businesses in our service area – including turf growers, nurseries, golf courses, market gardeners, wineries, commercial laundries and many more.

Businesses can use recycled water for:

• Irrigation or garden watering
• Commercial laundries
• Vehicle washing
• Toilet flushing
• Washing down outdoor furniture and building exteriors.

Recycled water isn’t suitable for drinking or other personal use.

Recycled water is perfectly safe to use as we treat it to a very high standard. The recycled water is the highest quality and described as “Class A” meaning it can be used for a range of non–drinking applications. It is produced according to strict guidelines developed by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department of Health.

For more information on recycled water and its uses go to: www.southeastwater.com.au/RecycledWater

Information on the current treatment pathway can be found on Melbourne Water’s website below: www.melbournewater.com.au/ETP

There are some activities that recycled water can’t be used for, such as drinking. To make sure that public health and the environment are looked after, both the EPA and the Department of Health have a range of controls in place including:

• Recycled water irrigation systems should be designed to ensure recycled water is kept on site and buffers are kept in place.
• Irrigation systems or industrial processes also need to be designed to ensure that no one will be exposed to recycled water by scheduling irrigation times, ensuring buffers are in place and recycled water pipes and outlets are clearly labelled with vandal-proof taps. This helps to keep any risks to a minimum.

We have controls and processes in place to ensure:

• there are no cross connections between drinking water and recycled water in the distribution network
• plumbers can easily identify recycled water with purple pipes above and below ground.

To keep risks to a minimum, we'll assist businesses to put the following controls in place:

• Any irrigation or plumbing works must be installed by a licensed plumber
• Recycled water installations need to have purple pipes above and below ground and appropriate backflow prevention devices installed
• Ensure appropriate taps are coloured purple and include signage “Recycled water – do not drink” so that people can easily identify taps used for recycled water
• Have a South East Water approved User Site or Site Management Plan (SMP), formally known as an Environment Improvement Plan (EIP), which outlines how recycled water will be used and the procedures and controls to mitigate any health and environmental risk
• Make sure all employees know what to do if there is an incident with recycled water
• Check any storage of recycled water is contained on site and dams are suitably lined (e.g. clay lined) 
• Minimise exposure to the public by scheduling irrigation times either early in the morning or in the late afternoon, or after hours
• Use a closed washing system to minimise employee contact (e.g. commercial laundry).

We send digital communications to customers with a mobile number or email address registered to their mySouthEastWater account prior to works commencing. To register or check if your details are up to date visit my.southeastwater.com.au.

We then put a letter in your letter box before we commence works. If the works are deferred, we will send you another notification of the new proposed start date. Project signage will be installed at the work area prior to commencing the works. 

We will also keep information on this webpage updated throughout the project.

No, we don't plan to impact driveway access. If for any reason during construction we need to block your driveway access, we will notify you in person and where possible, provide at least 24 hours' notice so that alternative parking arrangements can be made.

To safely undertake these works, traffic and pedestrian conditions may change so please take care when travelling around the construction sites. 

No. If you experience any disruption to your water or sewerage services please call our 24/7 Faults and Emergencies team on 13 28 12.

When we’ve finished the job, we’ll leave things how we found them and return any areas we’ve impacted as close as possible to their original condition. 

Only high usage customers who have agreed to connect to the scheme will need to pay. Discussions with scheme customers on pricing will take place prior to connection.