Recycled water management plan
The Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 (the Act) requires recycled water providers to have an approved recycled water management plan (RWMP) unless the recycled water provider has a granted exemption or transitional arrangements apply. Providers supplying coal seam gas recycled water may apply for an exclusion decision.
An RWMP is a documented, risk-based system for managing the production and supply of recycled water in a scheme. If the regulator declares a scheme critical, the RWMP must fulfill extra requirements.
The purpose of an RWMP is to protect public health and to ensure that critical recycled water schemes continue to operate.
In a single-entity recycled water scheme, an RWMP is a plan prepared by the recycled water provider about the production and supply of recycled water.
In a multiple-entity recycled water scheme, an RWMP is a plan about the production and supply of recycled water under the scheme, which includes a scheme manager plan and a scheme provider plan for each declared entity in the scheme.
The decision tree (PDF, 60K)* assists in determining whether you are a recycled water provider for the purposes of the Act and require an approved RWMP or an exemption from having an approved RWMP.
Guidelines for RWMPs are available.
Once an RWMP is approved for a recycled water scheme, the recycled water provider must comply with its approved RWMP, the conditions of the approved RWMP and any reporting requirements.
RWMP requirements
An RWMP must be based on an appropriate risk management methodology and must include:
- a description of the recycled water scheme
- details of the infrastructure used to produce or supply the recycled water and how it will be maintained
- the water quality criteria for the recycled water for the RWMP
- identification of hazards and hazardous events that may affect the quality of the recycled water
- an assessment of the risks posed by these hazards and hazardous events
- details that demonstrate how the risks posed by these hazards and hazardous events are proposed to be managed
- details of operational and verification monitoring programs to show how the scheme will maintain compliance with water quality criteria
- an incident and emergency response plan for the scheme.
Recycled water providers supplying to a dual reticulation scheme are required to include an education and risk awareness program.
Recycled water schemes supplying CSG recycled water have additional requirements for its approved RWMP.
Validation programs
A validation program is a documented program about how the plant or equipment used for the treatment of recycled water under the scheme is to be tested to show that the quality of the recycled water consistently meets the water quality criteria for the scheme.
When applying for approval of an RWMP, recycled water providers (other than a provider supplying recycled water to augment drinking water supplies) should provide evidence of appropriate validation using a validation program. Outcomes from the validation program should be incorporated into the detail of the RWMP.
A provider supplying recycled water to augment drinking water supplies must submit a validation program and have this approved by the regulator before it can submit an application for approval of an RWMP. When the recycled water provider applies for approval of an RWMP, the results of the validation program must be submitted and the outcomes must be reflected in the RWMP.
How to apply
To apply for approval of an RWMP, a recycled water provider must use the approved form (PDF, 94K)* and provide enough supporting information to enable the regulator to make a decision.
The following templates have been prepared to assist recycled water providers:
- how to prepare a RWMP (Word, 1.6M)‡
- how to prepare an application for an exemption (Word, 928K)‡ from having an approved RWMP.
In making a decision, the regulator may seek advice from an advisory council or other organisation and may request further information from the recycled water provider if necessary.
The application is taken to be withdrawn by the regulator if a recycled water provider fails to comply with the request for further information.
Transitional arrangements
There are transitional arrangements during which recycled water providers are not required to have an approved RWMP or granted exemption.
Once the transitional arrangements have expired, recycled water providers will not be permitted to supply recycled water without an approved RWMP, granted exemption or exclusion decision.
Amending, suspending or cancelling an RWMP
Under certain circumstances, the regulator may amend, suspend or cancel an approved RWMP.
* Requires Adobe Reader
‡ Requires Microsoft Office files viewer
Last updated 1 March 2013
