By ELLA DAMIANI
THE $22 million upgrade to the Pakenham Water Recycling Plant means that an additional 2000 homes can now use recycled water.
Residents in Cardinia Shire can now use the new water management system on their gardens, cars and for flushing their toilets instead of using valuable drinking water supplies.
Officer resident Astrid Allen believes the system will benefit the community and the environment.
“It will be great,” she said.
“I will be able to stop using fertiliser and I think I’ll save money too.”
Husband and wife from Pakenham Andrew and Josephine Legg, had the recycled water system installed in their home in March.
“It will be good for our garden,” Mr Legg said.
Minister for Water Peter Walsh toured the treatment plant in Pakenham last week, while expressing his elation for the new recycled water system which will deliver Class A recycled water to several estates in Pakenham and Officer.
“South East Water’s upgrade of the Pakenham Treatment Plant will produce four megalitres per day, or 1.46 gigalitres per year, of Class A recycled water,” Mr Walsh said.
“This is an important project for Melbourne’s south east, which is one of our state’s busiest growth corridors.
“Providing an alternative water option for residents is a sensible and environmentally friendly outcome for the people of Pakenham and Officer,” Mr Walsh added.
South East Water’s managing director Kevin Hutchings said the benefits of Class A recycled water were far-reaching when used for non-drinking purposes.
“Not every water use requires premium grade drinking water,” he said.
“It’s about finding the right water source for the right purpose – and Class A recycled water is a great option for outdoor use and toilet flushing.”
Households in the Caversham Water and Devonia Park estates, along with Eden Brook, Amberlea, Cardinia Village, Aspect and Arena estates now receive the Class A recycled water through the distinctive purple pipe.
Further infrastructure will be put in place in the coming years to connect the remaining estates in Pakenham and Officer to the recycled water system.
