Water and waste
Class A recycled water in ‘purple pipe’ areas
We supply Class A recycled water to customers for non-drinking purposes such as toilet flushing, garden watering and car washing.
Class A is the highest quality of recycled water. It is strictly monitored to ensure it meets water quality standards in accordance with the guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Class A water is safe, high-quality and always in supply, regardless of climate or population factors. Recycled water is not subject to water restrictions, and is cheaper for customers compared to drinking water.
Residents, businesses, parks and community facilities in Armstrong Creek and parts of Torquay, Mount Duneed and Charlemont are supplied with recycled water via a dedicated ‘purple pipe’ network.
What can I use Class A recycled water for?
Class A recycled water is suitable for:
- watering lawns and gardens, including fruits, vegetables and herbs
- flushing your toilet (but not bidet sprays)
- washing your car, outdoor furniture and hard surfaces (like paths, walls and windows)
- ponds and water features (change water regularly to minimise algal growth).
Gardens and plants
Plants can be watered using Class A recycled water from the purple pipe system, including edible plants such as vegetables, herbs and fruit trees.
As recycled water has a higher salt content than drinking water, you should direct recycled water to the roots of your plants, not the foliage – this will protect them from potential leaf burn. Some plants, including citrus trees, roses, azaleas and camellias, may be particularly sensitive to salt in their seedling stage.
Pets and livestock
Class A recycled water is treated and disinfected to an extremely high standard so if your pet drinks it, there is no cause for alarm. In fact, Class A recycled water is approved for livestock drinking (with the exception of pigs).
Open spaces
This water is also used in residential developments for irrigating open spaces, such as parks and sporting grounds, and for fire hydrants.
What can’t I use Class A recycled water for?
Class A recycled water is not suitable or approved for:
- drinking
- cooking or use in the kitchen
- bathing or showering
- filling pools or spas
- bidets
- water toys.
Our Class A recycled water is treated and disinfected to an extremely high standard, so accidental consumption is unlikely to make you sick. If you’ve consumed recycled water and feel unwell, consult your doctor.
Recycled water quality
We closely monitor the quality of recycled water supplies to ensure compliance with standards set out in the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling and EPA Victoria guidelines.
While Class A recycled water is a high quality resource, slight odour and minor discolouration are possible from time to time. This does not impact on the safety of the recycled water for approved uses.
There is no evidence that coronavirus (COVID-19) is transmissible via our recycled water network. Our treatment and disinfection facilities are designed to remove or inactivate the most resistant pathogens. Existing treatment process are highly effective in inactivating the COVID-19 virus.
Use and maintenance of your recycled water system
All properties in ‘purple pipe’ areas have two separate pipelines, meters and taps for their recycled and drinking water supplies – sometimes referred to as dual reticulation developments, or third pipe developments (referring also to the outgoing sewerage pipe).
Your purple recycled water meter stop-tap requires a key, supplied by your plumber or builder. If you don’t have a purple tap key, contact your builder. Alternatively, you can use a compatible ‘anti-vandal’ tap key, available at most hardware stores. Do not paint your recycled water meter. If you need to alter your meter in way, please contact us.
All recycled water taps should be labelled “recycled water, do not drink”. Please do not remove, obscure or paint over this signage.
Your drinking water and recycled water plumbing should be completely separate. If drinking water is mistakenly plumbed to recycled water outlets (or vice-versa) this is called a cross connection.
Purple tap test
A Purple Tap Test is the best way to check whether your drinking water and recycled water are separate, ensuring that there are no cross connections between the two.
During construction of your home, your builder or plumber will have arranged for a series of independent inspections to ensure your plumbing is installed correctly. Over time, changes or plumbing works can introduce faults, which is why it's important to do this test yourself.
The test is quick, simple, and doesn’t require a plumber or any special equipment. We recommend doing a Purple Tap Test once a year, or after any plumbing work has been completed.
Step 1 – Isolate the Drinking Water Supply
Find your drinking water meter, which is usually at the front of your property (that isn’t purple). Turn off the valve on the meter. Do not turn off the recycled water supply.
Now, check the following:
- Indoor taps: Turn on all hot and cold taps in your laundry, kitchen, bathroom sinks, bath, and shower one by one. After a short time, all taps should run dry.
- Toilets: Flush all toilets in your home. The cistern should refill as normal, as they are connected to the recycled water supply.
- Front and rear outdoor taps: The standard garden tap should run dry, but the purple tap should keep running.
Slowly turn on the drinking water supply by reopening the valve at the meter.
Step 2 – Isolate the Recycled Water Supply
Next, turn off the purple recycled water meter, which is usually next to the drinking water meter at the front of your property.
Now, check the following:
- Indoor taps and fixtures: Turn on all hot and cold taps in your laundry, kitchen, and bathrooms. These taps should run normally.
- Appliances: Run your dishwasher and washing machine. They should work as usual.
- Toilets: Flush all toilets in your home. The toilet cisterns should NOT refill.
- Outdoor taps: Turn on your external drinking water tap. The standard garden tap should work, but the purple tap should run dry.
Once the test is complete, slowly turn on the recycled water supply at the meter.
This completes the purple tap test.
If any taps, toilets, or appliances behave unexpectedly, there may be a cross-connection. Please stop drinking from your taps and contact Barwon Water immediately at 1300 656 007.
Fees and charges
Class A recycled water is currently priced at 70% of the cost of drinking water, and is charged by volume. There is no additional service charge for recycled water.
You will see a separate meter-reading entries on your Barwon Water bill for the drinking water and recycled water.
For more information, refer to our fees and charges.