Sludge Watch ==> Australia- wastewater recycling controversial in New South Wales

[Maureen Reilly]

         Water Woes Deepen:  Push for sewage recycling with outfalls on the nose

August 3, 2006





Martin Watters  - The Echo  Australia

THE State Opposition said closing ocean outfalls was likely amid fierce debate over the nation's water shortage

Opposition environment spokesman David Davis said there were ''significant options for recycling'' after his New South Wales counterparts last week promised to close all coastal outfalls and recycle the wastewater. 

Water authority Barwon Water said it planned to recycle all water and biosolids from its Black Rock site, which treats more than 50 million litres of sewage and trade waste from the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Geelong. Biosolids, which can be used as fertilizer, are what remains after the wastewater has been treated.

Barwon Water chairman Stephen Vaughan said a proposed controversial thermal drying plant was essential for the process.

''You can't have recycled water without producing biosolids,'' Mr Vaughan said.

''Barwon Water is committed to a no-waste sewage system with 100 per cent of water and biosolids recycled,'' he said.

Mr Vaughan also promoted the environmental benefits of an ''enclosed drying facility''.

''Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 40 per cent and there will be 60 per cent less trucks travelling along the Barwon Heads Rd to and from Black Rock,'' he said.

Mr Vaughan said the upgrade would mean an 80 per cent smaller land ''footprint'' after biosolid storage lagoons were emptied.

Last week the Opposition's Dr Davis attacked the location of the planned facility and the current ocean outfall.

''To build a massive plant, that would be part of the coast for 50 to 60 years into the future, is simply unacceptable,'' Dr Davis said.

''It is simply unacceptable for Victoria to forever into the future pump effluent, partially treated, into the ocean,'' he said.

Last month Prime Minister John Howard reportedly urged the states to begin revolutionary water recycling to ''drought-proof our large coastal cities''.

Mr Howard recommended water recycling and stormwater collection as effective strategies compared to plans like desalination.

Last week, residents of inland Queensland city Toowoomba voted to block plans to supply the city's drinking water with treated sewage.
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