SA Water collects and treats about 95,000 megalitres of wastewater in Adelaide and about 100,000 megalitres Statewide every year. This wastewater from homes and businesses is generally 99.9% water, with the remaining 0.1% made up of dissolved or suspended waste material.

 

Our aim is to make maximum productive use of this wastewater. As far back as 1944, SA Water has been developing wastewater recycling practices. Today, we are implementing a number of new and innovative wastewater recycling schemes across the State.

 

These schemes will play a significant role in reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to sea and will meet strict environmental and public health guidelines.

 

Since 1997/98, SA Water has more than tripled the percentage of wastewater being recycled across South Australia.
 

Total Statewide Wastewater Recycled Per Year
	ML/year	% of total wastewater flows
1997/1998	4,730	4.7
2002/2003	18,000	18.7
2003/2004	20,541	20.5
2004/2005	21,298	20.3
2005/2006	18,936	18.3
2006/2007	27,041	28.6

As well as reusing treated wastewater SA Water is exploring opportunities for the use of biosolids, the organic solid residue produced by the wastewater treatment process.