Industry to investigate reuse options

Finding a way to boost the use of recycled water by industry is at the top of the to-do list for the Western Trade Coast.

WTC committee chairman Phil Edman announced last week a major joint study into the potential for a large-scale aquifer recharge scheme to provide recycled water for heavy industries along the coast.

Mr Edman said finding a solution for future water supplies was an integral part of meeting the WTC mission.

“The mandate for the WTC is that we double the size in relation to economic sustainability and also the workforce, so in order to do that we need water and obviously there will be a lack of water as we develop this park to its full potential,” he said.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation will lead the $1 million Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence study.

CSIRO’s Dr Don McFarlane said the study would evaluate the potential for a recharge scheme from hydrological, engineering, environmental and socio-economic points of view. Kwinana Industries Council director Chris Oughton said KIC had been raising the flag on the availability of groundwater for about six years now and was pleased the study was going ahead.