Victoria has begun its first trial of advanced greywater recycling technology in Geelong to explore new ways of saving water and reducing household use.
The project is testing a system developed in the Netherlands that can cut water use by up to 40 percent. It collects water from showers and taps, treats it, and reuses it in toilets, washing machines and gardens. The water never leaves the building, turning wastewater into a useful resource.
The $220,000 trial will test seven greywater units in different settings. The goal is to see if this technology can be expanded across the state to support recycling and reduce water demand.
A demonstration site at Gordon TAFE in Geelong features a working unit inside a custom-built bathroom and laundry. Students are using the setup for training, testing and development.
Barwon Water is running three units at caravan parks along the Surf Coast and Great Ocean Road, including Australia’s first large-sized model at the Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park. Greater Western Water is testing Victoria’s first in-home system to assess its use in residential settings.
The project is being delivered by Intelligent Water Networks in partnership with Barwon Water, the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, Greater Western Water and South East Water.
Victorians are encouraged to play their part in saving water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, washing with full loads and following the Permanent Water Saving Rules.
The trial aims to create new ways to reuse water and reduce reliance on traditional water supplies, helping protect the state’s precious resources for the future.