Water recycling and sewage
We all make sewage. Sewage is 99.8% water, and much of this water can be recycled.
Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant; the largest sewage treatment and water recycling facility in the region.
Our water reclamation plants treat sewage, producing recycled water and biosolids. These valuable by-products have a number of uses in industry, agriculture and the community.
Sewage and sewage treatment
Sewage is waste water from households and industry.
Most sewage in our region is treated at one of our 10 water reclamation plants.
Water reclamation plants use a combination of mechanical and biological processes to filter and treat the sewage, producing recycled water and biosolids.
More on sewage and sewage treatment
Recycled water
Recycled water is filtered, treated and disinfected, and is suitable for a range of uses depending on its grade.
All of our water reclamation plants produce Class C recycled water or better. This water can be used for various purposes including irrigating sporting grounds, public ovals, golf courses, crops and produce.
In the near future, Class A recycled water will be available for residential use.
More on recycled water treatment and use
Biosolids
Biosolids are another valuable by-product of the sewage treatment process.
Our water reclamation plants use billions of microscopic organisms to digest and break down sewage to produce recycled water.
Biosolids are made up of these excess microbes, plus indigestible solids such as sand.
Being organic and nutrient-rich themselves, treated biosolids make excellent fertiliser, and have other uses too.
More on biosolids treatment and use