MCC recycling project reduces parkland water use

Victoria's largest underground water recycling facility, located in Yarra Park adjacent to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, is now operational, with water from the facility now being supplied to the parkland.

The $24 million project, being funded by the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) [$18 million] and the Victorian Government ($6 million), treats sewage from the local sewerage network to class A recycled water standards.

Tenix commenced construction to the 25 x 31 metre site in May last year and recently completed a comprehensive testing regim to ensure the water quality meets EPA guidelines.

More than 180-million litres of recycled water will be produced each year, reducing the MCC's use of potable water by around half. It is expected that this significant reduction will see the club removed from Victorias top 200 water-users list.

The water is being re-used primarily as irrigation in Yarra Park, as well as for cleaning and toilet flushing at the MCG and nearby Punt Road Oval.

As one of the first of its type built in Victoria, the recycling facility has been built underground, out of public view, without taking away from valuable surface land use or park amenity.

The technical process in recycling the water consists of screening and grit removal, biological treatment of the sewage and chemical addition for phosphate removal, filtration via membrane bioreactor and ultra-filtration membrane systems, before final disinfection via ultraviolet and chlorination.

MCC Chief Executive Stepen Gough explains "development of a water-recycling facility is the cornerstone of our master plan for the long-term health and viability of Yarra Park.

"It will also substantially reduce our reliability on potable water and increase the amenity for park users."