Recycled water
Recycled water is wastewater from homes and business that has been treated to a high standard to remove contaminants.
Once treated, recycled water can be used for purposes such as:
- irrigating agricultural crops, parks, gardens, golf courses
- dust control on industrial sites
- industrial cooling
- non-potable household uses (toilet flushing, laundry and garden).
Council utilises recycled water to help support more sustainable, long-term water solutions and help conserve the Tweed’s precious drinking water.
Around 7.5% of treated wastewater is reused in the Tweed, which sits just below the national average of 9%.
Council has been recycling water since the 1980s. The amount of water recycled in the Tweed has increased over the last decade.
Water recycling is becoming an important part of managing our water resources. Access to alternative safe water sources is important in times of drought, and pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus can be beneficial for irrigation.
Maximising recycled water use is a key action in Council's Integrated Water Cycle Management and Demand Management strategies.
Is recycled water safe?
Yes. Recycled water is treated to a high standard to make sure it's fit for purpose. Recycled water schemes are approved by regulatory authorities and ongoing monitoring and reporting is required.
Current recycled water schemes
Council's urban water cycle includes several recycled water schemes. Click the schemes below for details.
Chinderah Golf Course
Recycling: Up to 110ML/annum from Kingscliff Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Status: Operating since 2009.
Information: Since 2009, Chinderah Golf Course has used up to 110 megalitres of high-quality recycled water each year for irrigation. This water is sourced through a dedicated recycled water system developed in partnership between Council and the golf course.
Previously reliant on the Cudgen groundwater aquifer, the course now keeps its trees and green spaces healthy year-round using water that would otherwise be discharged into the estuary, where it isn’t put to practical use. Redirecting this water reduces pressure on local groundwater sources, supports strong turf and vegetation growth and promotes sustainable water use.
Condong Co-generation Facility
Recycling: Up to 1095ML/annum from Murwillumbah Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Status: Operating since 2010.
Information: Council has an agreement with Delta Electricity and Sunshine Sugar for the supply of recycled water for a Cogeneration Facility at Condong Sugar Mill. The recycled water is for cooling tower water and boiler feed make-up, and uses all average dry weather flow from the Murwillumbah Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club
Recycling: Up to 730ML/annum from Banora Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Status: Operating since 1987.
Information: The Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club installed its own pump equipment and pipeline to bring recycled water from the Banora Point Wastewater Treatment Plant to the golf course. Under the current agreement, the golf club can use up to 2 megalitres of recycled water per day for irrigation purposes. This is about 10% of the total production at Banora Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Les Burger Field, Bogangar
Recycling: Up to 44ML/annum from Hastings Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Information: Before recycled water was introduced, Les Burger Field was irrigated with drinking water for about 10 years. Now, by using purified recycled water, the field saves enough drinking water to supply around 230 homes annually (240kL/property per annum).
Unlike before, the upgraded irrigation system allows consistent watering across the whole field, keeping the playing surface green and healthy year-round, even in dry periods. Using recycled water also reduces costs by about 20% compared to potable water.
Additionally, by diverting this water from the local dune disposal system, the scheme makes better use of recycled water that would otherwise be discharged into the environment where it isn’t put to practical use.
Tweed River Jockey Club
Recycling: Up to 40ML/annum from Murwillumbah Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Status: Operating since 2018.
Information: Recycled water is used to irrigate the racecourse and for general washdown and cleaning.
Tyalgum Eucalyptus Tree Plantation for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Recycling: N/A.
Status: The concept design is underway.
Information: Given the success of the scheme at Uki, Council and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary are investigating carrying out similar works at Tyalgum to provide additional Koala fodder.
Tyalgum Pasture Irrigation
Recycling: Up to 25ML/annum.
Status: Operating since 1987.
Information: Recycled water from the Tyalgum Wastewater Treatment Plant is used to irrigate adjacent pastures. On average, 50 kilolitres of recycled water is used daily. This means approximately 95% of the wastewater treatment plant’s total daily production is used on adjacent pastures rather than being discharged to nearby Brays Creek.
Uki Eucalyptus Tree Plantation for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Recycling: Up to 9ML/annum from the Uki Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Status: Operating since 2004, when the Uki Wastewater Treatment Plant was commissioned.
Information: Over 99% of the recycled water produced by the Uki Wastewater Treatment Plant is used to irrigate eucalyptus trees in a joint venture with Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where the trees are harvested by the Sanctuary for koala food.
A 10-megalitre storage dam was built to hold excess water during wet weather, ensuring discharges to nearby Smiths Creek only occur during extreme rainfall events.
Financial Assistance for Recycled Water Schemes
Council is committed to supporting sustainable water use in the Tweed. As part of this commitment, we offer financial assistance to eligible businesses and customers who are proposing purified recycled water schemes that align with Council’s strategic goals.
This assistance helps offset the upfront costs of planning, designing and building recycled water infrastructure. This encourages more projects that benefit the community, the environment and the local economy.
For full details, read our Financial Assistance to Proponents of Recycled Water Schemes policy.(PDF, 165KB)
If you are considering a recycled water scheme and would like to find out whether your project may be eligible for assistance, please contact us for more information and guidance.
