Controlled release of recycled water from Romsey plant
10 August 2026
Heavy rainfall across our service region over the weekend, including the Romsey area, is placing increased pressure on our sewer network.
The significant wet weather has led to well above average flows entering the system and waterways, placing additional pressure on our recycled water plants.
We're closely monitoring conditions to ensure our emergency controlled release into Deep Creek continues safely. This includes additional water quality sampling across the creek by an independent laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).
We'll continue to closely monitor conditions and publish water quality results and updates on the Romsey water sampling webpage.
Since the controlled release began on Monday 20 July, water samples have been collected from multiple locations along Deep Creek to help track water quality and creek conditions.
We are continuing to closely monitor the creek and are keeping EPA Victoria updated. Regular testing is also being undertaken by an independent laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).
The test results, as assessed by the independent laboratory, will be published on the Romsey water sampling webpage as they become available.
Greater Western Water (GWW) will start a controlled release of recycled water from the Romsey Recycled Water Plant into Deep Creek from Monday 20 July. As recycled water storage at the plant has exceeded capacity, GWW is acting to prevent overflows and maintain safe operations at the plant.
GWW has notified EPA Victoria about the need for the controlled release, which will be carefully managed, monitored and aligned to creek flows to minimise environmental impacts.
The recycled water released will be highly treated, with double disinfection providing an added level of treatment and pathogen reduction to support compliance with Class B recycled water requirements.
GWW General Manager Service Delivery, Jodie Hallam, said a combination of factors had contributed to the need for a controlled release.
"While we've taken action to avoid a release through a number of operational measures, it is now necessary to ensure the plant can continue to provide an essential service to the community," she said.
"The plant is experiencing significant storage pressure due to periods of high rainfall, reduced irrigation opportunities, lower evaporation and continued inflows into the system."
Inflows to the plant have been approximately 50 per cent above average since May.
Opportunities to reuse the recycled water on GWW land, which typically helps to reduce overall storage volume, have been limited by wet ground conditions. In addition, there's been reduced demand from local irrigation customers and a shorter irrigation season.
GWW is increasing storage capacity at the plant, with construction set to begin next year. Three new lagoons will provide approximately 292ML of additional treatment and storage capacity, increasing total site capacity to close to 760ML.
"A significant amount of planning, investigations, approvals, design and procurement activities have gone into this plant upgrade over the past few years," Ms Hallam said.
"The upgrade builds on more than $8m of investment at the plant since 2023 to improve irrigation infrastructure, storages, monitoring and treatment improvements."
The Romsey plant treats wastewater from the growing Romsey and Lancefield communities, serving approximately 10,000 customers. The plant produces recycled water that is reused on GWW land and supplied to local irrigation customers.
The controlled release will continue for up to three months to maintain safe and reliable plant operations while storage volume returns to normal operating levels.
GWW, with close oversight from EPA Victoria, will closely monitor water quality and creek conditions throughout the release. An independent, National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory will also undertake regular water sampling and testing at multiple locations along Deep Creek.
