Horsham water recycling infrastructure helps parks and ovals stay green

Horsham, located on a bend in the Wimmera River, approximately 300 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, has secured new water recycling infrastructure aimed at helping parks, ovals and gardens stay green.

Victorian Minister for Water Gayle Tierney and Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced the completion of the $11.8 million Horsham SmartWater and Integrated Water Management project including new water recycling infrastructure at the Horsham Wastewater Treatment Plant providing more recycled water to the region.

Minister Tierney noted “this sustainable water project will ensure our important local parks and fields will continue to stay green and thrive year-round without using our precious drinking water.”

The project included construction of a new network of pipes through the city of Horsham, with connections to green spaces such as parks, ovals, the cemetery and the racecourse, providing up to 126 megalitres of recycled water for irrigation per year, reducing the need to use valuable drinking water.

Using more diverse sources of water, such as recycled water, ensures a water supply for open spaces during dry spells, delivers environmental and economic benefits, and bolsters the regions' long-term water security.

Researchers at the Horsham SmartFarm now have access to better quality water for research to irrigate their crops thanks to the installation of a reverse osmosis plant.

More recycled water allows Agriculture Victoria researchers to conduct field experiments to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of crop production. Purified wastewater will be used to irrigate more than 50 hectares of grain, oilseed and legume crops.

The two projects were jointly funded by the Victorian Government and the Federal Government.