Water cycle Management
A primary aim of Australian Water in the design of water infrastructure was to reduce the export of nutrients to the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system. The design solution adopted integrates the treatment of sewage effluent, the recycling of sewage effluent, and the trunk stormwater management system.
The key elements of the system include:
- treatment of sewage effluent to a bacteriological quality almost equivalent to that of potable water
- recycling of treated sewage effluent which is then supplied for all non-potable uses such as toilet flushing, garden watering, open space irrigation and industrial uses
- implementation of the trunk stormwater systems, which results in a reduction in the annual average export of nutrients (such as phosphorous and nitrogen) from the Rouse Hill catchment.
By linking these elements the Rouse Hill Infrastructure Project has been able to address and achieve significant environmental benefits in the areas of water quality, water conservation and soil conservation.
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Primary treatment removes solids that cannot be treated. It also separates organic solids for secondary treatment.
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Secondary treatment uses biological processes to break down the wastes and remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
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Tertiary treatment uses clarification and filtration to remove suspended solids followed by disinfection to inactivate pathogens.
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Treated effluent is stored prior to advanced treatment to balance supply and demand.
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Membranes are used to remove very fine and microscopic particles as well as most pathogens and salts. The filtered water is disinfected.
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Recycled water to be used for irrigation of parks and gardens.
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Recycled water to be used around homes for:
- toilet flushing
- car washing
- garden watering
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Potable water to be used inside homes for:
- cooking
- drinking
- showering and bathing
- washing dishes
- washing clothes