On this page

What is Class A recycled water?

Class A is the highest quality of recycled water. It is strictly monitored to ensure it meets water quality standards in accordance with the guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). 

Class A water is safe, high-quality and always in supply, regardless of climate or population factors. Recycled water is not subject to water restrictions and is cheaper for customers compared to drinking water.  

We supply Class A recycled water to residential customers for non-drinking purposes such as toilet flushing, garden watering and car washing.  

How do I know if I have recycled water? 

If you live in the newly developed estates in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, chances are that your home has a recycled connection.  

You can identify recycled water by its purple pipes, taps and meter. In new housing estates, these are installed through house construction. Never change or paint your recycled water fittings as the colour helps to avoid confusion with your drinking water supply. 

If you need to replace any of your recycled water taps and fittings, a reputable plumbing supply store is the place to go.   

Using recycled water within your home

There are many ways to use recycled water and reduce our reliance on drinking water. 

Recycled water is great for

  • Washing clothes 

  • Cleaning outside areas, including outdoor furniture

  • Flushing toilets

  • Washing cars (on the lawn only) 

  • Watering lawns

  • Watering plants and vegetables in the garden

  • Fighting fires

  • Filling your pet’s water bowl (it’s safe for all animals except pigs)

You can't use recycled water for

  • Drinking, cooking with or using in the kitchen

  • Filling children’s water toys

  • Filling swimming pools or spas

  • Operating evaporative cooling systems

  • Showering or bathing

  • Connecting handheld sprays to your toilet

Connecting your washing machine

Learn how to connect your washing machine with recycled water.

Recycled water and your bill 

Class A recycled water is currently priced at 70% of the cost of drinking water, and is charged by volume. There is no additional service charge for recycled water. We read your drinking water and recycled water meters to measure how much of each type of water you’ve used.  

We use this to calculate your bill.  

You’ll be able to see how much of each type of water you’ve used when you receive your quarterly bill.  

Remember, recycled water is cheaper than drinking water. 

Recycled water quality 

We closely monitor the quality of recycled water supplies to ensure compliance with standards set out in the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling and EPA Victoria guidelines. 

While Class A recycled water is a high quality resource, slight odour and minor discolouration are possible from time to time. This does not impact on the safety of the recycled water for approved uses. 

There is no evidence that coronavirus (COVID-19) is transmissible via our recycled water network. Our treatment and disinfection facilities are designed to remove or inactivate the most resistant pathogens. Existing treatment process are highly effective in inactivating the COVID-19 virus.  

Checking your recycled water plumbing

You need to check your recycled water connection every year. 

This is especially important if you’ve had plumbing, landscaping or renovation works done on your place.

Think you might not be connected properly? Get in touch with us as soon as possible.

Find out how to check if your recycled water is connected properly by downloading our handy guide.

Download the guide

If this isn’t what you were looking for, see the following links for more information: