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Recycled water is usually treated wastewater which is further treated to varying qualities that is “fit for purpose” for its intended use. It can then be used for: Irrigation of sports grounds, golf courses and public open spaces; Industrial processing; Groundwater replenishment; Toilet flushing / clothes washing / garden watering; Environmental benefits (eg: maintaining wetlands); Irrigation of food crops; Irrigation of non-food crops (eg: trees, woodlots, turf, flowers); Construction / dust surpression; and firefighting.

Groundwater replenishment using recycled water is one of several options for future water sources. Groundwater replenishment is a process where water from the ocean outfall of a wastewater treatment plant undergoes several further advanced stages of treatment, and is then recharged to groundwater. While planning estimates indicate it could provide up to 20 per cent of Perth’s future water needs, a decision has not yet been made to introduce any future groundwater replenishment schemes. Water Corporation is undertaking a research trial from 2010 until the end of 2012 to assess the effectiveness of the advanced water recycling process in producing water that is as safe as drinking water. If this trial is successful and the community is supportive, water recycled through this process could become a major water source for Western Australia in the future.