Recycled water

Recycled water can be produced and supplied for a number of uses including irrigation of parks, sporting fields and crops and supplying dual reticulation systems.

The use of recycled water to augment drinking water supplies via a source (e.g. supply into a dam) is allowable.

However, direct augmentation of a drinking supply (known as direct potable re-use) is not allowed in Queensland. Direct augmentation is supply from the treatment plant into the drinking water system (i.e. the water pipes).

Recycled water that is sourced from the following is regulated under the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008:

• sewage or effluent from a service provider's infrastructure
• wastewater from industrial, commercial or manufacturing activities, or animal husbandry activities, where it's transferred to another unrelated entity.

This guide covers the regulation of recycled water and outlines the obligations of recycled water service providers in Queensland.