No Recycled Water for Mansfield

7 December 2007

A study into an urban recycled water scheme for Mansfield has found that such a scheme would not be viable at this stage.

Goulburn Valley Water’s Managing Director, Mr Laurie Gleeson said that late last year the Corporation along with, Mansfield Shire and Oaksford Pty Ltd and Coomes Consulting funded a study to investigate the viability of using recycled water scheme for Mansfield.  “The project investigated the use of recycled water as a town water substitution for gardens and oval watering via a retrofit program,” he said.  “The investigation found that retrofitting to existing developed areas would not be viable.”

“The investigation then looked at an alternate project of supplying only new urban growth areas in the north east of the township and the existing areas located near the Recreation reserve in Highett Street.,” said Mr Gleeson.  “This project would be beneficial and reduce demand on the potable water supply.  However, the project would require stakeholders and government to invest some $8 million, which at this stage makes the project unviable.”

Mr Gleeson said that the cost per kilolitre of recycled water at this stage would be six times that of what the Corporation currently charges.  “Based on the capital cost for the project it would cost around $3.54 per kilolitre to supply recycled water, so until there is a significant increase in the cost of potable water it is not a viable option.” 

“The investigation has been very useful and provides a detailed assessment of providing an urban recycled water system in  a growing but modest sized town in regional Victoria,” said Mr Gleeson.  “Many other reports are based on large residential estates in metropolitan areas, so this report is realistic for our Corporation and other regional water corporations.”