Week 2: Don't understand recycled water? It's nothing to flush about
29 May 2026
Most of us understand the importance of having access to safe and reliable drinking water, especially during dry conditions.
What’s less front of mind is how crucial alternative water sources are to a water-secure future. That’s where recycled water comes in.
As part of this three-week series, Greater Western Water will be sharing some recycled water facts that may come to mind the next time you turn on the tap.
In week one we looked at what recycled water is and why it matters now more than ever that we find new uses for it.
This week we're looking at how it's classified, what it's used for and what's next for recycled water at GWW.
How is recycled water classified?
Like most water corporations in Victoria, Greater Western Water has been producing and using Class A, B and C recycled water for decades.
The class is determined by the level of treatment involved, in line with the standards set by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Class A is the highest quality recycled water GWW produces. It’s suitable for a wider range of uses, including in the home for flushing toilets, watering gardens, washing cars and clothes and for use in ornamental ponds and water features.
The range of Class A uses in our region are rapidly growing, with some set to play a crucial role in water security now and into the future.
Classes B and C are commonly used to irrigate public places we all enjoy and rely on, such as parks, golf courses and sporting fields, as well as by farmers for irrigating a range of crops.
What is recycled water typically used for?
Agriculture and industry are the largest users of recycled water in our region – last year about 7 billion litres of Class B and C recycled water was used by agricultural customers across all our schemes.
Recycled water supports food production by providing water and nutrients for irrigating crops and pasture, helping farmers maintain productivity while preserving drinking water for where it’s really needed.
This is happening on a large scale - in the 2024-25 financial year, GWW’s Melton Recycled Water Plant supplied about 5 billion litres of Class C recycled water, the majority of which was used by agricultural customers.
Class A recycled water is also a valuable resource for industrial customers in our service area. Class A recycled water, delivered through GWW pipes, has even been used in the new elephant pools at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
What’s next for GWW and recycled water?
GWW is investing in the provision of long-term recycled water as part of our commitment to delivering reliable and resilient services, a key goal of our vision to support thriving people and communities.
We’re expanding the capacity of our recycled water plants so they can process more wastewater and produce more recycled water into the future, helping meet evolving demand.
We’re also investing in network upgrades that will support the delivery of more recycled water to customers, including large industrial users and data centres, as well as irrigation partnerships that will help manage growing volumes of recycled water as our population expands.
