Policy statement
Barwon Water is committed to managing its water reclamation processes and systems effectively to provide fit-for-purpose recycled water to its customers and ensure public health and environmental standards are maintained.
Scope
All managers and employees involved in the supply of recycled water are responsible for understanding, implementing, maintaining and continuously improving the recycled water quality management system.
Purpose
Barwon Water will implement and use a preventive risk management approach and the principles of the HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points) quality management system to manage recycled water quality and deliver on the key recycled water aspects of Barwon Water’s Strategy 2030. This will ensure compliance with the requirements of the National Water Quality Management Strategy - Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (2006).
Policy details
Barwon Water is committed to working with its customers and relevant agencies to:
- utilise a risk-based approach where potential hazards associated with recycled water quality are identified, understood and managed
- sustainably manage recycled water quality at all points along the delivery chain, from source to the consumer
- protect recycled water quality by effective source management, process control and effective partnerships with stakeholders, including council, relevant agencies, businesses and landholders
- ensure that our recycled water supply assets perform adequately and are appropriately maintained and operated
- maintain a current state of knowledge on recycled water quality risks to inform risk-based management.
- promote confidence in recycled water supply and management through regular monitoring of recycled water quality and effective reporting mechanisms
- participate in appropriate investigative and process optimisation activities to ensure continued understanding of recycled water quality issues and performance
- establish good working relationships with the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and the Department of Health, and contribute to setting industry regulations and guidelines
- subject our recycled water quality management systems to regular internal and external audits to ensure compliance and continuous enhancement of our practices
- continually improve practices by assessing performance against corporate commitments and stakeholder expectations
- actively promote community awareness of, and confidence in, the quality and value of recycled water
- educate and inform the community of the acceptable uses of recycled water
- plan for the needs and expectations of consumers, stakeholders, regulators and employees
This policy was last updated August 2024.
