Current recycled water releases
Due to high levels in GWMWater’s recycled water storages and reduced irrigation demand, GWMWater will start releasing Class C treated recycled water.
The onset of winter and reduced demand has led to an increase in the volume of water stored at the wastewater treatment plants.
The recycled water release will be in accordance with GWMWater’s procedures. Releasing excess treated recycled water from storages reduces any potential for uncontrolled overflows and helps to protect infrastructure.
Class C Water was treated recycled water typically used to irrigate racetracks, golf courses, vineyards and recreational reserves.
GWMWater has liaised with the relevant catchment management authorities and has notified the Environment Protection Authority Victoria.
GWMWater has developed a water quality monitoring program and will be recording discharge volume on daily basis to ensure that water releases will have minimal impacts. Water samples will be taken throughout the release period to monitor water quality.
| Water Quality Report | Wimmera River Flow Rate (average over 24 hours) | Discharge Flow Rate (ML/d) | Dilution Ratio | Date |
 Horsham Recycled Water Release - 22/07/2024 |
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| 40.64 | 0 | 1/5 | 02/08/2024 | |
| 96.739 | 8 | 1/12 | 03/08/2024 | |
| 130.2 | 18.9 | 1/7 | 04/08/2024 | |
| 104 | 17 | 1/6 | 05/08/2024 | |
| 0 | 8.5 | 1/6 | 05/08/2024 | |
| 87.16 | 8.5 | 1/52 | 06/08/2024 | |
| Horsham Recycled Water Release - 07/08/2024 |
85.2 | 8.2 | 1/17 | 07/08/2024 |
| 83.2 | 8.4 | 1/16 | 08/08/2024 | |
| 85.14 | 7.6 | 1/17 | 09/08/2024 | |
| 86 | 7.73 | 1/17 | 10/08/2024 | |
| 86 | 7.73 | 1/17 | 11/08/2024 | |
| 45 | 7.50 | 1/9 | 12/08/2024 | |
| 35 | 5.84 | 1/7 | 13/08/2024 | |
| 26.67 | 4.41 | 1/52 | 14/08/2024 | |
| Horsham Recycled Water Release - 15/08/2024 |
22.21 | 3.7 | 1/6 | 15/08/2024 |
| 20.7 | 3.4 | 1/5 | 16/08/2024 | |
| 34.3 | 5.2 | 1/6 | 17/08/2024 | |
| 72.6 | 12.1 | 1/14 | 18/08/2024 | |
| 58.7 | 9.5 | 1/11 | 19/08/2024 | |
| 43.5 | 7.2 | 1/8 | 20/08/2024 | |
| 68.6 | 11.4 | 1/13 | 21/08/2024 | |
| Horsham Recycled Water Release - 22/08/2024 |
13.2 | 2.2 | 1/6 | 22/08/2024 |
| 5.7 | 0.9 | 1/5 | 23/08/2024 | |
| 11.9 | 1.9 | 1/5 | 24/08/2024 | |
| 16.6 | 2.5 | 1:5 | 25/08/2024 | |
| 16.6 | 2.4 | 1/5 | 26/08/2024 | |
| 17.8 | 2.9 | 1/5 | 27/08/2024 | |
| 15.5 | 2.5 | 1/5 | 28/08/2024 | |
| Horsham Recycled Water Release - 29/08/2024 |
13.9 | 2.2 | 1/5 | 29/08/2024 |
| 15.1 | 2.5 | 1/5 | 30/08/2024 | |
| 14.9 | 2.4 | 1/5 | 31/08/2024 | |
| 15.1 | 2.5 | 1/6 | 01/09/2024 | |
| 15.1 | 2.5 | 1/6 | 02/09/2024 | |
| 17.0 | 2.8 | 1/6 | 03/09/2024 | |
| 17.4 | 2.9 | 1/6 | 04/09/2024 | |
| Horsham Recycled Water Release - 5/09/2024 |
16.8 | 2.8 | 1/6 | 05/09/2024 |
| 33.5 | 5.2 | 1/6 | 06/09/2024 | |
| 61.1 | 10.1 | 1/5 | 07/09/2024 | |
| 74.7 | 12.1 | 1/6 | 08/09/2024 | |
| 59.9 | 9.9 | 1/6 | 09/09/2024 | |
| 41.0 | 6.8 | 1/6 | 10/09/2024 | |
| 29.4 | 4.3 | 1/7 | 11/09/2024 | |
| Horsham Recycled Water Release - 12/09/2024 |
21.1 | 3.5 | 1/6 | 12/09/2024 |
| 15.5 | 2.2 | 1/6 | 13/09/2024 | |
| 12.4 | 2.0 | 1/6 | 14/09/2024 | |
| 10.7 | 1.7 | 1/6 | 15/09/2024 | |
| 9.51 | 1.6 | 1/6 | 16/09/2024 | |
| 7.9 | 1.3 | 1/5 | 17/09/2024 | |
| 7.2 | 1.2 | 1/5 | 18/09/2024 | |
| Ceased release | 19/09/2024 |
Summary of release:
Total volume released: 314.96 ML
Total number of release days: 49
Release start date: 2 August 2024
Release stop date: 19 September 2024
Water quality: Complied with Class “C” water quality standards throughout the release period, based on weekly sampling.
Dilution: Achieved the required 1:5 dilution ratio during the release period.
| Water Quality Report | Hopkins River Flow Rate (average over 24 hours) | Discharge Flow Rate (ML/d) | Dilution Ratio | Date |
| Ararat Recycled Water Release - 1 August 2024 |
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| Ararat Recycled Water Release - 8 August 2024 |
1.2 | 0 | 1/0.4 | 08/08/2024 |
| 4.02 | 2.6 | 1/1.34 | 09/08/2024 | |
| 4.02 | 2.8 | 1/1.34 | 10/08/2024 | |
| 4.02 | 2.8 | 1/1.34 | 11/08/2024 | |
| 3.85 | 2.8 | 1/0.73 | 12/08/2024 | |
| 3.8 | 2.9 | 1/0.76 | 13/08/2024 | |
| 3.72 | 2.73 | 1/0.75 | 14/08/2024 | |
| Ararat Recycled Water Release - 15 August 2024 |
3.72 | 2.78 | 1/0.73 | 15/08/2024 |
| 4.1 | 3.0 | 1/0.71 | 16/08/2024 | |
| 15.8 | 2.9 | 1/0.19 | 17/08/2024 | |
| 7.9 | 2.9 | 1/0.37 | 18/08/2024 | |
| 5.4 | 2.9 | 1/0.52 | 19/08/2024 | |
| 4.5 | 2.8 | 1/0.63 | 20/08/2024 | |
| 44.2 | 2.8 | 1/0.20 | 21/08/2024 | |
| Ararat Recycled Water Release - 22/08/2024 |
12.1 | 4.3 | 1/0.24 | 22/08/2024 |
| 5.9 | 2.9 | 1/0.5 | 23/08/2024 | |
| 10.1 | 3.1 | 1/0.3 | 24/08/2024 | |
| 5.8 | 3.1 | 1/0.5 | 25/08/2024 | |
| 14.2 | 3.1 | 1/0.2 | 26/08/2024 | |
| 6.6 | 2.2 | 1/0.4 | 27/08/2024 | |
| 5.3 | 3.0 | 1/0.5 | 28/08/2024 | |
| Ararat Recycled Water Release - 29/08/2024 |
4.6 | 3.1 | 1/0.6 | 29/08/2024 |
| 4.4 | 2.6 | 1/0.6 | 30/08/2024 | |
| 4.6 | 2.9 | 1/0.6 | 31/08/2024 | |
| 4.3 | 2.9 | 1/0.7 | 01/09/2024 | |
| 13.3 | 2.9 | 1/0.2 | 02/09/2024 | |
| 14.5 | 3.0 | 1/0.2 | 03/09/2024 | |
| 5.8 | 3.0 | 1/0.5 | 04/09/2024 | |
| 4.7 | 2.7 | 1/0.6 | 05/09/2024 | |
| 11.6 | 2.7 | 1/0.2 | 06/09/2024 | |
| 5.6 | 2.8 | 1/0.5 | 07/09/2024 | |
| 4.9 | 2.8 | 1/0.6 | 08/09/2024 | |
| 6.8 | 2.8 | 1/0.4 | 09/09/2024 | |
| Ararat Recycled Water Release - 10/09/2024 |
5.0 | 3.0 | 1/0.6 | 10/09/2024 |
| 4.4 | 2.7 | 1/0.6 | 11/09/2024 | |
| 4.3 | 2.9 | 1/0.7 | 12/09/2024 | |
| 4.2 | 2.8 | 1/0.6 | 13/09/2024 | |
| 4.1 | 2.7 | 1/0.7 | 14/09/2024 | |
| 3.9 | 2.7 | 1/0.7 | 15/09/2024 | |
| 3.8 | 2.7 | 1/0.7 | 16/09/2024 | |
| 3.7 | 2.5 | 1/0.7 | 17/09/2024 | |
| 3.6 | 2.4 | 1/0.6 | 18/09/2024 | |
| 3.4 | 2.2 | 1/0.6 | 19/09/2024 | |
| 3.2 | 2.2 | 1/0.7 | 20/09/2024 | |
| 4.5 | 1.9 | 1/0.5 | 21/09/2024 | |
| 3.6 | 1.9 | 1/0.6 | 22/09/2024 | |
| 3.1 | 1.9 | 1/0.6 | 23/09/2024 | |
| 2.8 | 1.9 | 1/0.6 | 24/09/2024 | |
| Ceased release 2.15 pm | 24/09/2024 |
Summary of release:
Total volume released: 128.77 ML
Release start date: 8 August 2024
Release stop date: 24 September 2024
Total number of days: 48
Water Quality: Complied with Class “C” recycled water quality standards throughout the release period, based on weekly sampling results.
About recycled water
Recycled water is treated wastewater available for reuse from our wastewater treatment plants. It's an important resource for GWMWater and the region. It has many benefits, such as:
- helping to maintain community resources such as sports ovals, race courses and golf courses
- encouraging regional growth by supporting community recreational spaces and local industry, such as vineyards
- reducing the need for drinking water or raw water in irrigation
- providing potable water substitution options
- reducing environmental impacts from traditional river discharges
Ten of our 28 wastewater treatment plants are currently supplying recycled water across the region to participating customers.
Recycled water treatment
Our recycled water is treated to meet fit for purpose requirements according to EPA Victoria's guidelines. Under the guidelines, this water is used for:
- urban areas that have restricted public access during irrigation
- agricultural uses for vineyards
- agricultural uses for grazing or as fodder for livestock
- industrial uses for systems with no potential worker exposure
Recycled water is often stored in the winter and then used during the dry summer and autumn months when other water sources are scarce.
Recycled water in the news
A Greening St Arnaud project will provide recycled water for the town’s parks and gardens.
Northern Grampians Shire Council, in partnership with GWMWater, has completed the project at Goldfields Reservoir.
Northern Grampians Shire Council in partnership with GWMWater, have completed a recycled water project at Goldfields Reservoir, St Arnaud. The project called Greening St Arnaud, will see the reservoir continually topped up with recycled water during the winter period and used as a water supply for the town’s parks and gardens.
Read the full article from Northern Grampians Shire Council here
The Federal Government has confirmed it will join the State Government in funding a Horsham Agriculture Smartwater and Integrated Water Management Project.
Each tier of government will provide $4.57-million for a redevelopment that will open the door for a major supply boost of high-quality irrigation water.
July 2024 recycled water reports
| Ararat |
Edenhope |
| Great Western |
Halls Gap |
| Horsham |
Murtoa |
| Nhill |
Rupanyup |
| St Arnaud |
Stawell |
| Warracknabeal |
Willaura |
View 2024/25 recycled water reports
View 2023/24 recycled water reports
View 2022/23 recycled water reports
View 2021/22 recycled water reports
View 2020/21 recycled water reports
View 2019/20 recycled water reports
View 2018/19 recycled water reports
View 2017/18 recycled water reports
View 2016/17 recycled water reports
View 2015/16 recycled water reports
Interested in recycled water for your property?
GWMWater currently services a number of towns in the region with recycled water, but there are limitations to our supply capabilities. If you're interested in recycled water for your business or organisation, contact us to find out more.