Land and Water Link

December 2004

Good news for a dry country One Western Australian community is leading the way in efficient use of our limited water resources. With help from CSIRO Land and Water, the City of Mandurah, 70kms south of Perth, is running a project that allows the safe reuse of treated sewage effluent for irrigating their open green spaces.

Lead scientist Dr Simon Toze says the project, which directs effluent through an underground aquifer to remove all pathogen and organic contaminants, is significant ‘because it shows the country that we can recycle water easily, and at the same time get a good quality of water out’. The project is particularly important for Western Australia, says Dr Toze, ‘as we certainly need recycling to be part of the total water cycle. And because there is an extensive aquifer system here, this proves we can use them for improving water quality as well as relieving pressure on other supplies.’

The Halls Head Indirect Water Reuse Project was recently awarded the WA Water Corporation Award for Water Treatment and Recycling, and forms the basis for a number of new research projects under CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship. Further information: CSIRO contact: Dr Simon Toze
Ph: +61-8-9333 6130