Using recycled water
Recycled water is not treated to the same quality as our potable (drinking) water supply. It is generally used for:
- irrigation;
- flushing toilets;
- washing vehicles;
- roadworks; and
- maintaining sports grounds.
It is not suitable for filling swimming pools.
Classes of recycled water
There are five classes of recycled water: Class A, Class A+, Class B, Class C and Class D. Each class is of a different quality and is restricted to certain uses. Unitywater only supplies three classes: Class A+, Class A and Class B.
| Classification |
Acceptable uses |
| Class A+ |
Non-drinking urban uses including toilet flushing and garden watering. |
| Class A |
Open-space irrigation and some industrial purposes. |
| Class B |
Commercial construction businesses and some agricultural uses including pasture irrigation and stock watering. |
| Class C |
Open-space irrigation – subs-urface or where public access is restricted. |
| Class D |
Non-food crop irrigation. |
Precautions for safe use
Please apply normal hygiene practices when using recycled water.
- Wash hands with soap and potable water after use.
- Wash any wounds that have come into contact with recycled water with an antiseptic wash and potable water.
If you accidentally drink recycled water, you should seek medical advice.
It is also important to ensure that recycled water equipment such as taps, pipes and tanks is appropriately marked with 'recycled water' or 'non-potable' signage, bears 'not for drinking' labels and is coloured purple.
If you store recycled water for periods longer than 24 hours, we recommend you consider ongoing chlorination (e.g. use of a floating chlorine dispenser).
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