Recycled water is utilised at a number of farms around the Hunter as well as for several reuse strategies by Hunter Water.
Use of recycled water presents many advantages to farmers:
- its supply is largely unaffected by weather hence water can be accessed all year round even in drought conditions
- there is a higher nutrient content in recycled water so farmers need to use less fertiliser
- recycled water is generally cheaper than drinking water reducing farmers operational costs
Reuse initiatives developed by Hunter Water include two woodlots and the Karuah Effluent Reuse Enterprise (KERE).
The two woodlots located at Branxton and Paxton are designed to reduce the amount of treated effluent discharged to nearby creeks. At these sites, recycled water is used to irrigate native tree plantations.
The KERE was designed to minimise discharge from the Karuah Wastewater Treatment Works. Treated effluent from the treatment works is stored within a 160ML dam where it is used to irrigate 36 hectares of pasture. This pasture is cultivated, cropped and sold as feed for livestock.
Current Agricultural Use Schemes
Involved Sites
|
Usage (ML)
|
| farms |
2048 |
| Paxton woodlot |
0 |
| Branxton woodlot |
44 |
| Karuah Effluent Reuse Enterprise |
188 |
