25/3/04
A major water recycling irrigation scheme launched at McGillivray Oval in Floreat today is expected to lead to a significant reduction in the demand on Perth's water supplies.
The scheme at the University of Western Australia's sports park will use up to two million litres of specially treated recycled water each year to irrigate playing fields.
Launching the project today, Government Enterprises Minister Nick Griffiths said turning wastewater into a valuable resource was an important step in the Government's commitment to increase wastewater reuse in the Perth metropolitan area to 20 per cent by the year 2012.
"Residents of the metropolitan area generate 280 million litres of wastewater daily, enough to fill Subiaco Oval to the top of the goalposts," Mr Griffiths said.
"Almost all of that wastewater is currently returned to the environment through ocean outfalls.
"Clearly, this is an important resource which can be better used to provide water for parks, gardens, green space, industry and irrigated agriculture."
The highly-treated wastewater for the McGillivray Oval project is supplied by the adjacent Subiaco Wastewater Treatment Pant.
Following normal treatment processes, the wastewater undergoes additional filtration and chlorination to meet Department of Health standards, before being conveyed through an 800m pipeline which connects to the sports park's reticulation system.
The Minister said the success of the McGillivray Oval project would open up a range of possibilities to significantly increase wastewater reuse in Perth.
"In regional areas the Water Corporation has about 40 recycling schemes in place, but this is the first time wastewater has been used to irrigate a recreation complex in the metropolitan area," he said.
"If the project is a success - and we believe it will be - there may be opportunities to extend the use of this treated wastewater to other areas of the western suburbs for uses such as the irrigation of public open spaces and golf courses.
"To reach the Government's target of 20 per cent wastewater reuse we need to initiate large-scale irrigation of city parks, gardens, golf courses and recreation areas. The success of the McGillivray project opens up the way for that to become a reality."
An extension of the water recycling irrigation scheme will be considered following a two-year trial period.
The project is also an integral part of the proposed Sustainability Park concept being developed for the land surrounding the Subiaco Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Minister's office: 9222 8950
