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 |
| 2007/2008 |
27,745 |
30.4% |
| 2008/2009 |
27,639 |
30.2% |
| 2009/2010 |
27,070 |
29.2% |
| 2010/2011 |
21,906 |
22.2% |
| 2011/2012 |
24,781 |
25.6% |
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.