Stormwater Recycling

Quantifying Stormwater Recycling Risks and Benefits

Funded by Round 3 of the Smart Water Fund

The purpose of this two year research project is to quantify the risks and benefits of stormwater recycling. Three existing Melbourne stormwater recycling systems, which utilise treated stormwater to irrigate open space, will be extensively studied.

The specific project aims and objectives are the following:

Quantify the human and environmental risk associated with current stormwater recycling practices (particularly with respect to microbiological water quality parameters and heavy metals and performance at systems’ critical control points);
Critically assess the performance of three diverse stormwater recycling systems, with particular reference to the appropriateness of collecting, treating and reusing stormwater for non potable purposes (such as open space irrigation and toilet flushing);
Quantify the amount of potable substitution achieved in comparison to design estimates and provide recommendations on design refinements required to maximise system performance; and
Create a database of water quality and flow data which can be used for future integrated urban water management studies.

The research outcomes will also support the coverage of stormwater in the draft National Water Recycling Guidelines.

The three stormwater recycling sites are:

Royal Park Wetlands Stormwater Treatment and Reuse System;
Altona Green; and
Monash University (Clayton campus).

Researcher Team

ISWR, Monash University: Grace Mitchell (project leader), Justin Lewis, Peter Poelsma, Tim Fletcher and Ana Deletic
CWWT, University of New South Wales: Prof Nick Ashbolt, Dr Cheryl Davies, Dr Susan Petterson
University of Melbourne: Dr Louisa Flander
City of Melbourne: Caroline Chandler

Outcomes to date:

Quantifying Stormwater Recycling Risks and Benefits: Heavy Metals Review (pdf 558kb) by Belinda Hatt, Louisa Flander and Grace Mitchell, 2006, ISWR Report 06/04 (add PDF which is downloadable)

Stormwater Quality and the Link to Recycling Options, presentation (pps 1.0Mb) by Grace Mitchell at the AWA Urban Recycling Seminar, Melbourne, 29th August 2006 (add PPS file which is downloadable)

Figure 1: The stormwater store at Royal Park Wetlands Stormwater Treatment and Reuse System

Useful Links:

ISWR Stormwater
NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (Stormwater)
Smart Water

For further information contact:

Dr Grace Mitchell
Ph +61 3 9905 4947