Impediments to municipal water recycling in Australia

Abstract

Local authorities in Australia face two great challenges when managing municipal waters: Meeting future demands for clean water; and Preserving and enhancing the health of waterways. Municipal water recycling provides a means to achieve these objectives by providing an alternative source of water as well as reducing sewage effluent discharges. This paper identifies the key factors impeding the rate of growth of water recycling in Australia. Such knowledge will be crucial to our effective allocation of efforts and resources required for a rapid and sustainable change in the way we manage our water. While Australia currently recycles around 11 per cent of effluents from sewage treatment plants, there is substantial scope for increase.