Infrastructure Australia has called for progress on a recycled water project in Melbourne. 

Infrastructure Australia has released its Infrastructure Priority list for 2021, which outlines dozens of national infrastructure projects that it says need consideration by Australia’s governments.

The latest list includes a water treatment plant in the South East of Melbourne.

Melbourne Water’s Eastern treatment plant produces 130 billion litres of recycled water each year, about 5 per cent of which is reused for irrigation purposes. 

Infrastructure Australia says proposed upgrades should be moved off the priority list and into the construction phase, so as to increase the amount of recycled water.

The authorities say that reusing recycled water instead of potable water can reduce demand for potable water and contribute to water supply security.

The project is also in line with efforts by the Victorian Government to engage with the broader community on the potential use of recycle water for drinking.

Victoria’s Draft 30 year Infrastructure Strategy released in December 2020 (available in PDF form) recommended a review of all water supply sources including identifying and addressing barriers to recycled drinking water.