Industrial water use within safe limits: Victorian EPA
Specific regulations on industrial water reuse are unnecessary, says a Victorian EPA discussion paper, if the water is used exclusively for industrial processes such as cooling and material washing.
The workplace risks are already managed in accordance with WorkSafe Victoria’s guidelines, the suitability of the water for the process is purely a business risk and the risks to consumers are managed by existing product quality frameworks. Any inadvertent spill or leak would come under the Environment Protection Act.
However, the discussion paper says legislation and safety guidelines should be developed concerning non-industrial reuse of industrial water.
Meanwhile, 40,000 homes in Melbourne’s outer east are the first in the state to have mandatory recycled water. Water Minister John Thwaites said installing dual pipe systems in the new residential estates would see each home use 30 per cent less potable water, helping Victoria save 4GL of water/year.