Googong’s water recycling plant will be operational from today, Tuesday 1 December, with recycled water to be available to both the township and its residents.
The water will be delivered through the ‘purple pipe network’ – an existing network of purple-coloured pipes and taps – to distinguish it from Googong’s potable water.
The water will be used in the township for irrigating public parks and sports fields, while residents can use the water for things like flushing toilets, watering lawns and washing cars. It can also be used for fighting fires.
The water cannot be used for drinking, cooking, bathing, filling pools and spas, heating and cooling systems, hot water systems, play or household cleaning.
“The water is treated to a very high standard and as advised by NSW Health Public Health Unit, there is a low risk of any negative health effects from approved uses,” said Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Mayor, Tim Overall.
Googong’s project director Malcolm Leslie said the recycled water system would reduce potable water usage by 60% and recycle more than half the wastewater from the township.
“From the outset, sustainability underpinned everything we planned for Googong,” he said.
It is expected the 18,000 residents who will eventually call Googong home upon completion will use less water than a community of around 6,500 people thanks to the $133 million system.
The township is currently home to around 5,000 people.
Mr Overall said the opening of the plant is a “game changer” for the region.
“The Queanbeyan-Palerang region has seen significant expansion over the last decade, in part due to the development of Googong, which has brought strong investment and population growth,” said Mr Overall.
“As we grow, it’s important we take a sustainable approach to our natural resources.”
For more information, visit the QPRC website.
