Recycled water connection to save four million litres of water

Published on 19 January 2022

In a Council initiative, the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay has connected to recycled water for its toilet facilities and garden irrigation, which will save an estimated four million litres a year from the region’s drinking water supply. 

The connection and meter were delivered to the Beach Hotel through Council's Recycled Water Scheme with support from regional bulk water supply authority, Rous County Council, for the hotel’s internal plumbing work.

The recycled water pipes are identifiable by their purple colour and onsite signage will indicate to hotel patrons where recycled water is connected and used across the premises.

Council’s Director Infrastructure Services, Mr Phil Holloway said Council has supported more than 10 local nurseries, sporting clubs, business and developments to make the switch from potable (drinking) to recycled water.

“On average, up to one Olympic-sized swimming pool of recycled water is being repurposed every 2-3 days via Council’s Recycled Water Scheme, which is reducing demand on our drinking water sources,” Mr Holloway said.

“Recycled water is clean, safe and cheaper to use than drinking water for specific purposes, such as toilet flushing, garden and landscaping irrigation and washing down of outdoor equipment,” he said. 

“With the warmer months approaching and more extreme weather conditions occurring, it makes sense to take advantage of this alternate and secure water supply, where feasible.”

“Working with local businesses to become more resilient towards climate change is something Council is very proud of,” he said.

Anthony Brady, General Manager of Beach Hotel, Byron Bay, says the business is committed to investing in sustainability initiatives that help minimise the venue’s environmental impact and contribute positively to the surrounding community. The water savings represent the equivalent of 1.5 Olympic swimming pools every year.

“We hope to see our connection to recycled water generate more conversations around the value of water, where it comes from and ways we can conserve it,” Mr Brady said.

Council uses recycled water for flushing in almost all of Byron Bay’s public toilet facilities and irrigation of the Cavanbah Centre, the Byron Bay Sport and Recreation Grounds, and grass areas of Railway Park, Main Beach and the foreshore to Clarkes Beach.

Other local businesses using recycled water include Ingenia Holidays, Eden at Byron, Envite Nursery, Byron Bay Herb Nursery, Rosewood Dairy Co., sporting clubs Byron Bay Rugby League Club (Red Devil Park), Club Byron, Byron Bay Golf Club, Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, and Habitat.

Council is currently reviewing its Recycled Water Strategy towards 2030 and is trialling smart water meters on its Byron Bay clients which will help determine the effectiveness and future of the Recycled Water Scheme. 

There are four Council filling stations for recycled water available at south Byron (corner of Broken Head and Bangalow Road, near the golf course), Byron Bay Depot (Bayshore Drive), Mullumbimby (recycled water storage ponds at the end of Casuarina Street) and Bangalow STP (Dudgeons Lane). Applications to access Council's recycled water filling stations can be made online at: https://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Services/Water-sewer/Sewer/Recycled-water#section-5